Page 24 of Unconventionally, Elle

Now

W?e were seated right off the fifty-yard line in Gillette Stadium.

The seats were similar in location to the ones Jude and his family had in New Orleans, except outside.

"I've never been to an outside stadium before," I admitted to Finn while rubbing my arms. It was a frosty forty degrees, and my nose was turning red.

"Really?" He feigned shock. "Well then, bundle up, buttercup, you're about to freeze your ass off." He laughed, showing his perfectly straight white teeth, and wrapped his arms around me. "Good thing you wore this puffer jacket. It's perfect--maybe the wrong color, but perfect."

The teams came out to warm up.

I was wearing my long black Lululemon jacket from years ago when my grandparents took me skiing. I never had to wear it living in New Orleans.

"We can just pretend it's navy blue. Deal?" I pulled my houndstooth scarf tighter around my neck. I truly forgot the team colors for the Saints were black and gold, and I didn't own another heavy-ish jacket.

Finn rolled his eyes playfully and put his arm back around me. "I've got you, Ellz. We'll make you a Bostonian yet." He wore a navy puffer with a fashionable red men's scarf. His warm skin held few imperfections, and with each exhale, a puff of fog escaped his lips.

"Yeah, yeah. I'm so glad you're my person, Finn." I rested my head on his shoulder and inhaled his cologne. God, it was good. "Finn, what are you wearing."

"It's Mind Games," he said.

Confused, I lifted my head. "No, I'm not playing games. I just want to know the name."

He furrowed his brow and looked down at me. "Right, Elle, it's called Mind Games. I get it at Neiman Marcus."

"Well, I don't feel dumb or anything." I laughed and put my head back on his shoulder. "Fuck, it's cold." I snuggled deeper into my scarf and his arm.

"Seriously, though," he said, "I'm glad you moved here. I didn't know I was missing my person until you showed up at my studio. Of course I have Jackson, but he's my partner." He squeezed my arm a little tighter. "You're you, and we're us."

"God, Finn. Stop. I'm gonna cry like a baby.

" I sat back up and wiped my eyes. "I love Rach and Sarah, and they are my best friends, but with you, it's soulmate, best friend, person--all of the things.

" His eyes glistened in the lights of the stadium, and then as if in slow motion, I saw his face change.

His eyes widened and he looked at me, then back up behind me.

"Elle, oh my God, Finn! Finn, I didn't think Elle was your type!" Emma winked with a playful smirk.

Finn rolled his eyes, then said loudly, "If it isn't the Henry siblings! How the hell are ya, Emma?"

Laughing, Emma walked through the row above us and leaned over the seats to hug Finn. He glanced down at me and gave me an apologetic smile.

Oh shit. He said siblings. I stood up and turned to hug Emma. "What a surprise!" I opened my arms, and that's when I noticed Barrett standing quietly behind her. He was looking at me with a vivid blue stare that mirrored his sister's. "Barrett," I gasped.

At the sound of his name, his eyes narrowed as he tried to place me. He cleared his throat. "I'm sorry, have we met?" he asked, still looking me over.

But I remembered him, and I was mortified. No longer cold, I burned with humiliation. Why did I just say his name out loud? I heard Finn giggle behind me.

"I, um, uh, mm, no. Uh, no, we haven't," I managed to stutter while he kept his gaze fixed on my face.

"Oh, Barrett, stop." Emma lightly smacked her brother's arm and said enthusiastically, "This is Elle Watson. She works with me now. I probably told her about you at the office. Right, Elle?" Emma said, looking at me with raised eyebrows and a twinkle in her eyes.

I regained my composure and played along. "Yeah, when I came into the office the other day, you mentioned your family and your brother, Barrett." I cleared my throat and forced a smile. He remained impassive but nodded slowly and then looked away down toward the field.

"Exactly. Anyways, Elle, officially"--she winked--"this is my brother, Barrett Henry.

" He looked back at us and gave a curt nod.

"Quite the talker, obviously." She rolled her eyes.

"Well, it looks like we're seat neighbors.

How exciting!" She clapped her hands together and motioned for Barrett to follow her around the row of seats and next to us. She sent Barrett in first.

I leaned over to Finn, who was sitting back down, watching all of this with intense amusement. "Kale Guy" was all I managed to whisper before leaning back and readjusting my scarf. Finn understood immediately and again started giggling to himself.

Barrett took his seat next to me, then Emma at the end. "Emma, you don't want to sit next to your friend?" he asked.

I felt unsure. Did he not want to sit next to me? Did I smell? I tried to smell myself but as casually as possible.

Finn elbowed me. "Elle, you're fine." He gave me a quick wink and turned to Barrett. "Barrett, what's wrong? Her Saints colors embarrass you?"

"Oh, I promise I'm not a Saints fan." I gave Finn major side-eye, then wildly motioned my hand to show that I indeed was not a Saints fan.

They both looked at me, Emma with a raised eyebrow and a sly grin, Barrett with brows pinched and confused.

"So where's Jackson tonight?" Emma leaned over her brother to talk to Finn.

"Jackson's got a prior engagement, so I brought Elle to her first Pats game." Finn smiled bright.

"Please tell Jackson I said hi, then. I haven't seen him in class lately," Emma pouted.

"Work, work, work. You know the drill when you're a cog in the wheel," Finn replied.

"Don't we all," Barrett said, chiming in.

We all looked over at him. I felt my cheeks warm up again.

"He?talks?" Emma elbowed her brother, and he instinctively smirked.

"So you work at the magazine now?" he asked, turning to look at me.

"I think so?" I looked over at Emma for verification.

"Yep, I saw Olivia today. Your article was incredible! Fuck, Elle. You can write really well," Emma said as a roar erupted from the crowd.

The teams were lining up, and an electric energy vibrated through the stadium.

"So then, yes, I freelance for Boston Social ," I yelled over the screams to Barrett.

He smiled and gave me a nod, but his mind had gone to the game now. The kicker ran up to the ball and sent it into the other end zone.

"Let's go!" Barrett jumped out of his seat and brushed my arm as his body slid past mine. My skin tingled even under all my layers--a jacket, two sweatshirts, and an athletic long-sleeve.

I was still staring at his body when Finn kicked my shoe.

"You're staring, Ellz."

When I got home from the game, I went straight to my room and flopped onto my bed, letting my king-size duvet swallow me. I pulled my phone out of my pocket and frantically opened the group chat with Sarah and Rach.

Me: You guys, I officially met Kale Guy!

Rach: OMFG, you have a name?

Rach: Details, details! And wait, it's late as hell. Why are you up so late?

Me: His name is Barrett Henry, and he is the brOTHER of a girl I work with at the magazine. I mentioned Emma, I think?

Sarah: Wait, what's going on? Sorry, I saw my phone blinking but was getting in my late-night cycle sesh.

Rach: Elle met a boy.

Sarah: Elle, that's fantastic! Share all the details please.

Sarah: But wait, are you finally over Jude? You haven't talked about anyone since y'all broke up.

Me: I hope so, but are we ever really over our first love? I mean, we still talk and stuff. And remember I told you guys he texted me about his mom being sick and living with him in NYC. So, I mean, I've talked to him a few times since then.

Sarah: ?

Me: It's nothing, I swear. I think we're just kind of friends who text now.

Rach: What?! Elle.

Sarah: Be careful, Elle. You never really seem to get over that one.

Rach: Seriously, he's like your fucking Prince Charming or Achilles' heel or something. I really can't decide. But this new guy, back to him. We like him, right?

Sarah: To be fair, she literally fell into his arms. *Jude's arms* I mean.

Me: You're a comic, Sarah, seriously.

Me: But omg, Rach, I melted when I heard Barrett's voice tonight. He didn't say too much, but he sat next to me, and when his body brushed my arm, I felt things I haven't felt in a very long time.

Rach: Uh-oh.

Sarah: She's a goner.