Page 5

Chapter 5

Weston

“ S o, uh—yeah,” I say, feeling somewhat vulnerable from the confession. “It’s comforting.” He’d probably shit if he saw my bedroom. Pride and Prejudice may be my favorite, but it’s not even close to the only classic I have.

Darcy hums, his expression thoughtful. “Comforting.”

I nod, since I’m not sure if I can properly articulate all the ways this book changed my life. How Mrs. Jackson changed my life. Every single plan I have for my future is tied into that book and those words written in the front of it. “In some strange way, it makes me feel like things can work out, even when it seems insurmountable.”

Darcy gets a little smile on his face. It’s the ghost of one, really, like he’s smiling more to himself and not for me. “Huh. I like that. Like it gives you hope.” His warm gaze finds mine, and I find myself caught in his stare. He lets out a small chuckle, laughter dancing in his eyes. “You’re not at all what I expected.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?” I ask, more curious than I’d like to admit about what he thinks of me.

He shrugs, his mouth still tilted up in a tiny smile. “I’m not sure how to describe it, really. You surprised me, that’s all.”

“Admit it. You thought I was a dumb jock.” I cross my arms over my chest.

Darcy’s face pales, panic flashing in his expressive eyes. “No! That’s—I wasn’t. It’s just that—”

I can’t help but laugh. “I’m fucking with you.”

He seems to sag in relief and then lets out a small chuckle. I’m about to say something—probably something stupid—when there’s a sharp rap at the door and we both jump. “That’ll be the cookies.”

I open the door and take the box from the guy before handing him a tip. The cookies smell delicious, and my mouth is already watering in anticipation. My guilty pleasure treat, seriously.

“Oh God,” Darcy groans, sniffing the air. I burst into laughter, my stomach doing a strange little flip as he closes his eyes and breathes in deeply. “Those smell like actual heaven.”

He holds his hands out in front of him, making little ‘gimme’ motions and I grin, setting the box down on the table and opening the top.

He leans forward, scanning the cookies. “Oh my. They all look so good. I kind of want one of each.”

“Take whatever you want.”

Darcy’s eyes dart up to mine, and he grins. “Which one is your favorite?”

I point to the double fudge brownie cookie. “You can have it.”

He looks at me for a second before shaking his head. “No. I couldn’t. I don’t want to take your favorite one.”

I reach into the box and pick it up, breaking it in half before holding it out to him. He blinks up at me and I quirk an eyebrow. “It’s bad manners to turn down a cookie when someone is offering it, Darcy.”

Darcy’s lips twitch, caught between a scowl and a smile, but eventually the smile wins out, and he takes the cookie from my hand. I sit down beside him and hold mine up like a toast. His laughter is a symphony as he ‘clinks’ his cookie against mine and takes a bite.

I hold off, wanting to watch his reaction, and it does not disappoint. He takes a cautious bite, and I can tell the second the fudge center melts on his tongue because his eyes roll back, and he lets out the hottest sounding moan I’ve ever heard in my life. Wait… what? No. Not hot.

I shove my cookie into my mouth, barely even tasting it as I chew quickly, trying to push that random thought out of my mind.

“Okay,” Darcy says, taking another bite. “You were not kidding. These are magnificent. I’ve genuinely never had a better cookie in my entire life.”

I swallow mine. “I told you.”

He grins, dropping his head back to rest against my couch. He closes his eyes for a second, and I let myself study his face. It’s only a couple of seconds later when his eyes pop open, and he catches me. My face heats and I turn away, picking up another cookie and offering it to him. “Do you want another?”

His eyes move from the cookie to my face, and finally, he shakes his head. “No. I should probably be heading home.”

Oh. That makes sense, of course. It has to be pushing midnight, but for some reason, I don’t want him to go. He’s… fun. In a way I wasn’t expecting. “Okay. When can we hang out again? ”

His eyebrows shoot up. “Hang out? Oh. Well, I mean, I’m free Wednesday for another tutoring session, if you are.”

Right. Tutoring. Because we’re not hanging out because we’re friends. We’re not even hanging out. He’s only here because he’s trying to find a way to make connections so my stupid-ass brain will remember basic fucking history. I clear my throat. “Right. Yeah, I should be good for Wednesday.”

He stands, brushing his hands on his pants. “Well, I had a lot of fun.”

That brings a smile to my face. “Me too. I’ll explain football to you anytime.”

He laughs, taking off to leave. I scramble to my feet so I can walk him to the door. Jogging ahead, I get there first and pull it open for him. He grins up at me. “Thank you again for my football education.” He pauses like maybe he wants to say something else, and I wait somewhat patiently. He opens his mouth, then closes it before blowing out a breath. “Maybe we can do more football lessons soon?”

That was… not what I was expecting. Truthfully, I don’t know what I was expecting. “Am I converting you?” I ask, chuckling a little.

He shrugs, but there’s a twinkle in his eyes. “Possibly. It’s cool. The pants are a bonus. I like them.”

The… pants are a bonus? I don’t really know what he means by that, so I just smile and nod. “Sure. I’m down for more football.”

Darcy smiles. “Great. Well… I better go. Goodnight, West.”

“Night, Darcy.”

I wait until I can no longer hear his footsteps in the hallway, and then I shut the door. After making my way to the couch, I pick up the worn copy of my book, opening it to the first page and settling into the couch to read it. Again.

I can’t stop thinking about what Darcy said about the football pants. I still don’t get it. I’m glancing around the locker room, trying to be inconspicuous as I look from guy to guy, trying to figure out what Darcy likes about them.

“What are you doing?”

I damn near jump out of my skin, turning to find Benson standing beside me with a curious expression on his face. “Uh. Nothing?”

Ben raises an incredulous eyebrow. “Yeah, definitely doesn’t look like nothing, West.”

This is so stupid. Literally the stupidest. Fuck. I lean closer until I can whisper to him. Not that it matters, since the sounds in the locker room will probably drown out my question anyway. “What’s so special about football pants?”

Ben blinks at me, clearly confused. “Huh?”

“Football pants,” I reiterate, trying to act casual. “What’s so special about them?”

“What are you talking about?”

I throw my hands up in the air, frustrated that he’s not getting it. “I don’t know, Ben. That’s why I’m asking you. Is it how they fit or something? Do people like them? What’s so special about them?”

Benson studies me for a second, then he nods. “They’re tight. Form-fitting. So they show off guys legs and asses.”

His answer sends my mind into a tailspin. They show off legs and asses? Is that what Darcy meant? “So, let me get this straight. It’s like… an attraction thing? ”

Benson looks at me like I’ve lost my mind. “Um, sometimes? What’s the context?”

I can’t really tell him the context without telling him about Darcy. It’s not that I want to keep him a secret so much as my failures, but it still feels gross to leave him out intentionally. “So, I have a tutor.”

Ben stares at me in silence. “Okay?”

“Okay,” I echo.

“Can you get to the point, man? What’s going on with you?”

I let out a breath. “Okay, so my tutor was watching football with me.” I leave out the part about why, but I’m sure that’s not relevant. “And when they left, they said, ‘the pants are a bonus. I like them’.”

He cocks his head to the side. “Alright, given the context, I’d say it’s an attraction thing.”

About a million and half things fly through my mind all at once, but the first thing that comes out of my mouth is, “Darcy’s gay?”

Benson’s easy expression melts away, something dark and angry flashing in his eyes. “And if he was? Is that a problem?”

“No!” I put my hands up in defense. “Not at all! No. I just—” I cut myself off so I don’t fuck up and say the wrong thing. “I just didn’t know if… if he was or not. He never said either way.”

Ben crosses his arms over his chest, watching me like he’s trying to decide if he’s going to shove me against the locker and beat my ass. “Why would he? Not everyone has to go around telling everyone their sexuality, Hale.”

Fuck. “I’m not saying people should. The idea surprised me. That’s all.”

He watches me for a few more minutes, then an easy grin spreads across his face. “Cool. So what were you doing in here? Checking out all the asses to see what was up with football pants?”

My face catches on fire. “No,” I sputter .

Ben laughs. “Bro, let’s go. Practice is going to kick our asses today. I can feel it in my bones.”

I sigh, thankful for the subject change and his easy acceptance of my strange behavior. Truly, what in the fuck is going on with me?

The second we step onto the field, the heat about takes my breath away. Fuck.

Coach’s shrill whistle pierces the air. “Line up, boys. Conditioning day.” A collective groan ripples through the team. “Ten-yard sprints to start. Keep at it until you hear my whistle.”

Ben nudges my side. “Told you, bro. Felt it in my bones.”

Twenty minutes later, I’m drenched in sweat, hating myself for the carbs and cookies I devoured last night. “Pick it up, Hale. You’re supposed to be the leader out there!” Coach shouts.

Gritting my teeth, I push harder, pumping my legs until my muscles are screaming and my chest is burning with each breath. I catch Ben’s eye, and he’s pushing just as hard, matching me in speed, flushed red, sweat dripping down his face.

By the time practice is over, I’m spent and ready to go home and collapse straight into bed. I shower in the locker room in a daze, my legs barely holding me up. Between being up so late reading, my already late night with Darcy, and today’s practice, I’m ready to keel over.

When I step out of the shower, I half dry off and get dressed, immediately regretting not drying fully when I instantly start overheating from my clothes clinging to the wetness on my skin.

The walk up to my apartment is awful, considering how much my legs feel like Jello. I’m going to be sore as hell tomorrow. I drop my ass onto the couch and stare at the ceiling. It doesn’t take long for my mind to wander to Darcy. What’s he doing right now? Is he gay? If he’s not, what could he have meant by his remark about the football pants? Would it be weird to ask him ?

Yes, West. It would be weird to ask him.

I groan, rubbing my eyes, digging my fists into my eye sockets until everything goes a little fuzzy and I’m seeing spots.

I wonder if he would find it odd if I texted him. Not to ask if he’s gay. Just to say hey. See if he wants to hang out again. Although, I already mentioned hanging out, and he shut it down pretty quickly—so maybe not that.

Ugh. Fuck it. Before I can think better of it, I grab my phone and send him a message.

Practice kicked my ass. No more carbs and cookies before practice days.

I’m not expecting a response. Not really, but I still get a little swoopy feeling in my stomach when my phone buzzes almost immediately.

Darcy

Oh my. Well, I can’t say I relate. I’ve been daydreaming about those cookies since last night. Next time, I’ll bring plain, non-seasoned chicken and broccoli.

Next time? Next time. Pained muscles forgotten, I sink deeper into the couch and text him back.

With cheese? You can’t have broccoli without cheese.

Darcy

No can do. I’m no nutritionist, but I hear it has to be plain. Otherwise, it loses all its healthy qualities. Or maybe I’ll bring cheese for myself. I’m not the one who has to eat healthy. No reason to punish myself.

I laugh. I can’t help it. He’s funny.

That’s diabolical.

Darcy

Hey, I’m not the one who decided a life of being a football star was for me. I shouldn’t have to go without just because you can’t eat good food.

I grin down at my phone, my heart doing a little flutter.

So, you’ll eat all the cheese and cookies while I suffer for the greater good? Is that what I’m hearing?

Darcy

The greater good? Is that code for being able to run around in tight pants and knock people down?

Back to the tight pants again. My god.

I’ll have you know I don’t knock people down. Didn’t you learn anything from your football lesson? ;)

As soon as I hit send, I regret the wink face. What the hell was I thinking? That was ridiculous.

Darcy

Apparently not. I guess I’ll need another lesson. ;)

Hell yes. I’m definitely down to spend more time with him.

I can’t believe my lesson didn’t stick.

Darcy

Yeah, clearly you’re not as good at tutoring as I am. That’s okay, though.

I bark out a loud laugh, my cheeks aching from how hard I’m smiling.

Sure. That hurts, Darcy. I’m really questioning our friendship.

There are a few minutes without a response, but the bubbles keep popping up and going away like he’s typing. Finally, his message comes through.

Darcy

Is that what we are? Friends?

My brows pull together. I mean, I’d like to be his friend.

Yes?

Darcy

Okay.

My heart speeds up a bit as a breathless laugh leaves my mouth. I’m so ridiculous, acting like I’ve never had a friend before.

Okay. When do you want to learn more about football?

Darcy

Tomorrow?

Oh. Yes. Hell yes.

Works for me. Same time as before?

Darcy

I’ll be there.

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