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twenty-three

Chase

The quiet stillness of the moment feels like a secret just between us.

I lie on my back with Skylar tucked into my side, her head resting against my chest. There was a warmth between us, the kind that comes when two people feel like they belong in a shared space, even if their connection was still new and technically forbidden.

Skylar stirs first, her breath warm against my skin as she lifts her head.

Her eyes met mine, still sleepy but filled with something soft, something that felt like the beginning of a deeper understanding.

There was a smile tugging at her lips, gently, as if she wasn’t sure how to begin, but she didn’t need to. The quiet between them said it all.

I lift a hand, my fingertips brushing the side of her face, tracing the curve of her cheek as if I want to memorize this feeling of her. My gaze is steady, and when I speak, my voice is still low, soft with sleep. “Good morning,” I murmur.

Skylar’s eyes flutter closed, and she leans into my touch.

She can’t help but smile, and the feeling of warmth spreads through my chest at her happiness.

Saying nothing more, she shifts slightly, bringing her face closer to mine.

The space between us shrinks, and next my lips met hers in a slow, tender kiss.

At first, it was just a soft touch, barely there.

The kiss deepens slowly, as if giving us both time to adjust. Skylar’s hand finds its way to my chest, her fingers brushing against the fabric of my t-shirt, feeling the warmth of my skin beneath it.

She pulls herself a little closer, her lips moving gently against mine, and I savor the simple connection.

I respond, my hand sliding to the back of her neck as my thumb grazes the soft skin there.

It is a quiet kiss, filled with a kind of reverence, as if we are both still learning the unspoken language of touch between one another.

There is no rush, no need for words—just the quiet intimacy of two people finding their way through something new, in this different way of knowing one another.

The kiss lingers, slow and easy, with no hurry to pull away.

It is soft and careful, as if we are both giving each other permission to be vulnerable in the silence.

When we finally break apart, our foreheads rest together, and we share a soft, breathless laugh.

The moment isn’t filled with grand gestures, but the simplicity of it felt deeper than anything.

For now, the kiss is enough. The promise of something more lingered in the quiet, something private.

“My parents are having a backyard party this afternoon. Wanna go?” she asks.

“Ethan will probably be there. Do we want to out ourselves so soon?” I ask.

“Maybe orchestrate it to get him to invite you. Call him and ask him what he’s doing today.”

“Wouldn’t it be weird if I called your brother from your bed?”

“Call him, then we get on with the rest of our step two of make-out sessions.”

I roll onto my back and groan. “You know how awkward this is?”

“I do, so call my brother. That way, we can spend the day together without making a big deal out of it.”

I grab my phone from the side table that I left it on last night, and pull up Ethan’s contact information. I press the speaker and place the phone to my chest.

“Yo. What’s going on, dude?” he answers.

“Was going to ask you the same thing, what are you up to? It’s been a while since we’ve hung out like normal people do.”

“No practice or team shit today?” he asks.

“Nah, I’m giving myself a vacation day.”

“Smart. I was going to head over to Mom and Dad’s. You know what, they’d love to see you, I’m sure. You should come with me. They’re having some backyard party thing.”

I swing my gaze to Skylar and mouth too easy.

“It’s been a while since I’ve seen them. That would be nice. What time?”

“I can swing over and grab you on my way to their house.”

“I’ll drive myself, just in case something comes up.”

“Awesome. I think the party starts around noon.”

“I’ll see you there. Peace.”

We hang up, and I push my phone to the side as I roll to face her.

“Now, we can hang out, you know, in public, and we do the work for step three.”

“Remind me about step two again?” I ask her, grinning, leaning in and kissing her gently.

“You’re the bozo who made up these stupid steps. I’m just following your lead.”

“What’s up, Chase?” she asks comfortably.

“I didn’t know you were going to be here,” I say loudly, in case someone is listening, and place my hands on the countertop, and say.

As if on cue, Ethan walks into the kitchen.

“Oh, hey guys,” he looks between us. “Did I interrupt something?”

“Chase just caught me sneaking some of Mom and Dad’s secret stash.” She grins, pouring herself another shot.

“Why the hell are you hitting that hard shit? This isn’t a rager.” Ethan looks around me and asks.

“So Chase, I didn’t know you were going to be here today. How’s it going?” she grins, ignoring his question and putting up a good front.

I open my mouth and close it. Words fail me. I’ve been left speechless. She looks amazing, and I’m wishing that we didn’t have to hide anything.

Thankfully, we’re interrupted by Mrs. Hale, stepping into the kitchen and standing between her children. She places her hands on her hips as she eyes Skylar.

“I’ve been looking for you, young lady. There’s someone out back that I want you to meet.

Quit sneaking shots. I don’t need you to get sloppy.

We want to make sure you make a good first impression.

I asked the Donnellys to make sure that they brought their son. You two would be so adorable together.”

Skylar and her mom leave Ethan and me alone, and when I turn to him, his eyes are cold, and his arms are crossed over his chest.

“Don’t even think about it. I know I sound like a broken record, but stay away from Skylar.” He growls, then steps around me, patting me on the shoulder as if he didn’t just threaten me, and follows his family out the sliding glass door.

So much has happened in the last five minutes.

My brain can’t comprehend.

And my thoughts are running rampant, itching to tell my best friend everything.