Chapter 103 Colt Brady

Chapter 103 Colt Brady


Romeo woke early for practice, leaving me tangled in the hotel sheets with a kiss on my forehead and a promise to be back soon. I spent my morning at school, my afternoons at the hotel working on homework and studying and my evenings watching him train under the harsh stadium lights.

Ruby found me in the hallway after last period, her bag slung over her shoulder, her eyes bright with barely contained amusement.

"Let me guess," she said, falling into step beside me. "You're going to watch him run around in tight pants again."

"I'm being supportive."

"You're being pathetic. There's a difference."

I rolled my eyes. "Mrs. Patterson is going to kill me."

"She already asked about you. Said if you miss one more rehearsal, she's recasting your part."

"She can't recast me. We haven't even picked a play yet or have they?” 

"Details." Ruby waved a hand dismissively. "The point is, you've become one of those girls. The ones who sit in the bleachers and stare at their boyfriend like he's a piece of meat."

"I do not stare at him like he's a piece of meat."

"You absolutely do. It's embarrassing. You zone out and start smiling like an idiot."

I opened my mouth to argue, but she was right. I'd been zoning out. A lot. Every time I thought about Romeo, every time I remembered waking up in that massive bed with his arms around me, I couldn't help it. 

Being alone had made us grow so much closer than I could ever imagine. 

"Fine," I admitted. "Maybe I've been a little distracted."

"A little?" Ruby snorted. "Calliope, you walked into a door yesterday."

"That was an accident."

"You were staring at him across the cafeteria. You didn't even see the door."

I groaned, covering my face with my hands. "I hate you."

"You love me."

"I really don't right now."

She laughed and bumped her shoulder against mine. "Come on. Let's go watch your boyfriend throw a ball around."

\-——————-

The football field was buzzing with energy.

Players ran drills, their breath fogging in the cold air. Coach shouted instructions, his voices sharp and impatient. The sound of pads colliding echoed across the grass.

I found my usual spot on the bleachers, Ruby beside me, and watched Romeo move across the field. He was faster than everyone else, stronger, more precise. His body cut through the defense like a blade.

"He's showing off because of you," Ruby said.

"I don’t think so."

"He's definitely showing off. Look at him. He's got that stupid smirk on his face."

I looked. Romeo was jogging back to the huddle, his eyes flickering toward the bleachers, that familiar grin tugging at his lips. He knew I was watching. Of course he knew. He always knew.

"Idiot," I muttered.

But I was smiling.

\-——————————-

During a water break, a group of players circled around Romeo. I couldn't hear what they were saying, but I could see the way they were looking at me, the grins, the nudges and the pointed glances.

I hadn’t met them yet and I was still very nervous to. I preferred watching them from afar, since as a group they could look pretty intimidating. 

One of them, a massive lineman named Derek—shouted across the field. "Vanderbilt! You gonna introduce us or what?"

Romeo glanced up, his grin widening. "Nope."

"Come on, man. We just want to say hi."

"She's busy."

"Busy doing what? Sitting there watching you try and impress her?"

Romeo chuckled. "That's exactly what she's doing."

I buried my face in my hands, my cheeks burning as more of the guys looked my way.

Ruby cackled beside me. "You're famous. You’re like the famous girlfriend now!” 

——————————-

The next day, during my free period, I was sitting in the courtyard, trying to get some reading done, when I saw them.

Faye and Angel were sitting on a bench near the fountain, their heads bent together like old friends. Angel was laughing at something Faye had said, her hand on Faye's arm, her posture open and trusting.

It was strange to see them together. I wondered what they could possibly be talking about. Or how they had become friends so fast. 

I watched them for a moment longer, something uneasy settling in my chest.

Then I looked away and tried to focus on my book, Ruby found me. 

"Okay," she said, dropping onto the bench beside me. "I've been thinking."

"Dangerous."

"Ha ha. Seriously. I need to know what's going on with Faye and Angel. Something about this new budding friendship feels very off."

I closed my book. "You noticed too?"

"Everyone's noticed. Angel's sort of ditched her cheerleader friends. It's unsettling."

"Yea I wonder what they keep talking about. Faye can’t be that interesting."

"I wish I knew what’s going on with them?"

I didn't have an answer for that.

\-—————————

Practice ended as the sun began to set.

Romeo jogged over, his hair damp with sweat, his chest still heaving. He pulled me into his arms, pressing a kiss to my forehead.

"Hey," he said.

"Hey."

"I’m sorry we’re a little late today. You’re staying?” 

"Obviously."

He grinned. "I know. I just like hearing you say it."

Ruby made a gagging sound behind us. "You two are disgusting."

"Leave us pleaseeee," I said.

"I'm leaving. I'm leaving." She walked backward, still grinning. "But you owe me for missing drama club."

"I'll make it up to you. I promise!”

"You better." She pointed a finger at me. "I'm holding you to that."

She disappeared into the parking lot, and I turned back to Romeo.

\-——————————-

We stopped at a convenience store on the way back to the hotel.

I needed tampons, a small, mundane errand that felt almost absurdly normal after everything that had happened. Romeo walked beside me, his hand in mine, his thumb tracing circles on my skin.

"This is nice," I said.

"What is?"

"This. Being normal. Doing normal things. We’re just two average teenagers getting some supplies."

He squeezed my hand. "It does feel good. Moving to the hotel was a great idea."

I was reaching for a box on the shelf when the door chimed.

A group of boys walked in, tall, broad-shouldered, wearing jackets from another school. I was about to look away when I saw that Romeo’s gaze was fixated on the main guy in the group. 

“Romeo?” I called. 

“Colt Brady.” Romeo simply said. 

Colt spotted us immediately. His grin widened.

"Well, well," he said, walking toward us. "If it isn't the infamous Romeo Vanderbilt."

Romeo's jaw tightened. "Colt."