22. Chapter 22

Chapter 22

Cody

I groan as my phone buzzes in my hand.

“Another one?” Stella looks up from her tablet with an amused eyebrow.

“Nico is already planning a post-break party.” I mutter the words, silencing my notifications to stop the insistent buzzing of the team group chat.

“Ooh, what’s the theme this year?” Stella sits up in her seat, eyes already sparkling with excitement. Mo chuckles from the row in front of us, holding the seat with the best view of the front of the plane.

“Don’t let Stella pick the theme, everyone will end up naked and covered in neon paint.”

Stella sighs, “That was always my favourite Teen Wolf episode.” She shoots me a wink, “You always reminded me of the twins.”

Completely lost, I look to Mo for help.

He shrugs, “Don’t look at me, Jackson was my favourite. He got the hottie.”

Stella rolls her eyes, “Of course you liked the character who was the biggest douche.”

“He was the best lacrosse player too.”

I raise my hand, “Should I take the twins comment as a compliment then?”

The siblings ignore me and continue to bicker about fictional characters I have never heard of. My phone screen lights up once more, silently this time, so I reach over and pull up the thread.

WES: Everything dipped in chocolate.

WES: But like more than just the food.

NICO: That’s a terrible idea. Someone is going to take it too far and cover themselves in shit.

HUNTER: Why would someone cover themselves in shit?

NICO: Freshmen are unpredictable. That is all I am going to say on the matter.

WES: BRO remember back in seventh grade?!

NICO: That is exactly what I am referring to.

HUNTER: Wait. That actually happened??

MASON: Oh yeah, I’ve heard this story.

WES: It was trauma for us all.

I chuckle, unsurprised the planning has been completely sidetracked. Nico and Wes always get the job done, but they tend to do it in the most unconventional and entertaining way possible.

ME: Stella suggested neon paint like something from an old tv show?

MASON: Are you and little O’Brien hanging out during the break?? Brave man.

NICO: OMG. HE MEANS TEEN WOLF!!

WES: We have to. Especially after all the cardio Cap made us do.

ME: Am I the only one who has never seen this show?

HUNTER: Yup.

Small, callused hands brush my neck and I immediately put my phone down. My breath catches as big blue eyes smile at me, making me wonder who I blew in another life to deserve Stella’s undivided attention.

“So, I was thinking…”

“A dangerous hobby.”

She gives me a stern look, but the smirk tugging her lips tells me a different story. I pull her closer, bringing those snarky lips to mine before she can get another word in.

Stella’s squeak of surprise turns into a quiet moan as I tangle my fingers in her hair and take her mouth. Stella’s hands run down the front of my shirt, pressing shamelessly against every crevice of my chest.

Nipping her bottom lip, I draw a whimper from her mouth as I deepen the kiss. My hands start to wander south but before I can get too far, a hard smack hits the side of my head.

“Don’t push it, Ellsworth.”

Stella and I break apart, our breathing heavy as Mo shoots me a filthy look from the row ahead. Removing my hands from Stella’s body, I give him an obedient thumbs up before he turns back around and pops some air pods in.

“So, you were thinking?” I bite back a laugh at the dazed look on Stella’s face, her hair a complete disaster now that I’ve had my way with it.

“Uh, right. I was thinking,” She pauses to lick her lips, making my eyes drop back down to the glistening colour. “Maybe we should plan what nights to see each other? You know, to make it easier with your training schedule.”

It takes my lust-swollen brain a second to catch up.

“You mean plan what nights we sleep together?”

She nods, a faint blush staining her cheeks, “Yeah, I just figure on days you have tournaments or early morning practices you’ll want a restful sleep. And you know, not get woken up every morning by my issues.”

I frown, “That sounds terrible.”

Hurt crosses Stella’s face before irritation takes its place, “It was just a suggestion. We can put the sleepovers on hold until after lacrosse season is over.”

She goes to move away but I grab her hand and intertwine our fingers.

“That’s not what I meant. Spending a single night without you is what sounds terrible. And stop feeling guilty for having struggles. Despite what your father may think, you are only human.” I give her fingers a reassuring squeeze, “Your problems are my problems and mine are yours. We take on the skeletons in the closet together.”

Stella blinks with surprise, her defensiveness visibly slipping away.

“Oh.”

Running my thumb along her jawline, I lean forward to plant a soft kiss against her lips.

“You can stay at my house any night of the week. And on the nights you feel like staying at your dorm, I’ll come to you.”

“Sounds like we’re going to be seeing a lot of each other.”

“I plan on seeing you as much as our schedules allow it. Once tournaments start up, I’m not going to lie, it’s going to be tough. But as long as we keep communication channels open and trust each other, I think we will be just fine.”

Stella sighs, “You sound so confident.”

“That’s because I am. There are a lot of things I’m uncertain about but when it comes to how I feel about you, Stel, there is not a trace of doubt in my mind.”

Mo pops out an air pod, “I should be writing this stuff down. You’re pretty good at this gushy stuff, Ellsworth.”

Stella laughs while I stare at him in horror.

“Were you listening this whole time?”

Mo shrugs, “Couldn’t get into my podcast with a love confession going on behind me.”

Stella snorts, “You are such an old man.”

I groan, leaning my head back against the luxurious leather seat.

“That was supposed to be a private moment, Mo.”

“You should be thanking me, now you have someone who witnessed your first moment as a whipped man.”

Johnson pipes up from the pilot seat, “From what I’ve heard, that boy has been whipped long before this flight.”

The O’Brien’s fall apart laughing while I sigh in defeat.

Stella

“Why is there paint on the floor?”

After giving me an enormous reunited-at-last hug, Lou turns to survey the paint shop that is now our dorm’s living room. I grin, gesturing towards the tubs of neon paint like a car salesman presenting his most prized vehicle.

“We’ve got a party to hit this weekend!”

Lou frowns, “Wes mentioned something about that. But where does the paint come in?”

My beaming smile remains undeterred, “It’s a neon party! The lacrosse team is bringing in a blacklight, so the goal is to glow as much as possible.”

She frowns, “Don’t most people just buy bright clothing from a second-hand store?”

Salesman persona firmly in place, I bend down to peel off the lid of the closest tub and gesture towards the unnatural orange glow.

“Some do, but this is better. Picture the infamous scene from Teen Wolf.”

Lou blinks at me, “Is that a movie?”

I shake my head solemnly, “No, no it is not.”

Popping the lid back into place, I stand up and march towards my room, returning seconds later with my laptop in tow.

“Time to get you up to speed, my dear. You can thank me later.”

We watch the twenty-minute segment in complete silence, the cinematic masterpiece of hot bodies covered in neon paint leaving little room for conversation. By the time the clip ends, Lou is holding the necklace Wes got her, a slight flush staining the base of her neck.

“I understand now.”

I nod without comment, giving my roommate time to absorb the educational lesson I just gifted to her. She shifts on the dorm’s uncomfortable couch to look at me.

“Does this mean Caveman Cody will be your date to the party?”

I smile coyly, “Maybe.”

Lou claps her hands with excitement.

“It’s about time! Wes and I made bets on when you two would become official.”

“I mean, we haven’t had the official boyfriend/girlfriend conversation yet…”

Lou’s excitement drops noticeably, “Wait. But you are together, right?”

“We are, but we haven’t discussed labels or anything. So, depending on the terms of the bet, I don’t know if that qualifies.”

Lou taps her chin, face pensive, “I said you two would be together before the end of the break, Wes said by the New Year.”

“Then tell him we got together over the break. Christmas Day, if you want to get technical about it. That way you win.”

“I really don’t mind losing.” Lou’s grey eyes take on a mischief glint that I am proud to say is one hundred percent my influence, “But technically that wouldn’t be cheating since I got it from the source, so…”

“So, you win fair and square. I can write and sign a statement if you need evidence.”

“Nah, Wes will take my word for it. I’m sure he has already hit up Cody for the same information.”

I reach over to give my best friend a hug, “God, I missed you over the break. How was meeting the family?”

Lou smiles, “It was really great. Wes’ family was so welcoming, and his sister and I really hit it off.”

“Lacey, right?”

“That’s right. She’s coming to Taber next year, actually.”

“And how did Christmas with your family go?”

It comes as no surprise to hear Wes managed to charm all the Mackenzies within the short week he was there. I haven’t met anyone who matches Wes’ level of charisma and charm, never mind his ability to befriend anyone and everyone. Lou’s boyfriend might come off as over-the-top dramatic most of the time, but when it comes down to it, he’s truly a genuine person beneath all the charades. And in my opinion, that is what drew the two of them together.

A bittersweet pang hits my chest as I listen to Lou’s stories of Christmas shenanigans and family meltdowns. Her stories are so full of passion and familial love that it makes me nostalgic for the holidays and mishaps my own family used to have.

“… You should have seen everyone’s reactions when Wes mistook Uncle Randy for my infamous Uncle Jamie. Took him over an hour to get back in Randy’s good books.” I laugh, picturing the scene with ease.

We spend the better part of the next hour catching up, shamelessly (at least on my end) swapping sex stories and spilling every unshared moment we’ve had over the last few weeks.

Finally, Lou clears her throat and steers us back to the matter at hand, “So, what were you thinking outfit-wise?”

“Don’t worry, I’ve got that one covered.”

Lou’s eyes widen with alarm, “Tell me it’s not a leather pantsuit.”

“To be fair, we looked hot as hell in those.”

“True but I nearly killed myself trying to put it on.”

I laugh, waving away her concern, “I promise it won’t be as elaborate as matching pantsuits.”

Lou raises a disbelieving eyebrow.

“Hon, you are just going to have to trust me on this one. Have I ever let you down?”

She opens her mouth then closes it.

I pretend to shoot her with an imaginary gun, “Exactly. I’ve got you and that is all you need to know. Your job is going to be finding cool designs for us to paint on each other.”

“I think I can handle that.” Lou tilts her head in thought, her golden-brown waves falling loosely over her shoulder.

“Do you think anyone else will be wearing paint?”

I grin, “If Nico has anything to do with it, absolutely.”

We shuffle from the living room to my bedroom. The picture frame Lou gave me before the break hanging proudly above my desk. I catch her smile when she sees it, but before I can thank her for the thoughtful gift, my phone buzzes on my desk.

CODY: Not sure why the space next to me is so cold…

I grin, reaching over to grab my phone.

ME: We’ve been apart two hours. Johnson would say this adds to your whip tally.

CODY: Don’t remind me. Your family is ruthless.

CODY: … in a good way!

I laugh at the obvious backpedal while Lou busies herself with my open closet, flipping through the one section I didn’t bring home.

ME: Good catch there, Captain.

CODY: I do my best. So, am I coming to you or are you coming to me tonight?

I glance at the pathetic mattress pad this university calls a bed. There is a four-inch-thick topper separating me from the terrible blue Styrofoam, but it is nowhere near restful material.

ME: Yours.

CODY: Sounds good. See you soon.

“Hey, why are all these clothes in my size?” Lou pulls out an adorable silver camisole that I have been saving for a special occasion.

“Are they?” I try for an innocent look but come up short.

“Stella, have you been buying clothes for me all year?” She gasps, bringing a hand to cover her mouth, “Is this where all our event outfits come from?”

She looks at my unopened suitcase on the floor and I quickly hold up my hands in surrender, “Okay, you got me. All those clothes hanging in there are for you. I didn’t want to overwhelm you with them all at once, so that’s why I save them for the perfect occasion.”

Lou shakes her head, “This must have been so expensive. How much do I owe you?”

“Nothing. I bought these of my own free will.”

“But Stella…”

I halt her words with a raised hand, “Just hear me out. There is one other thing I haven’t told you about my family. My father is… well, extremely wealthy.”

Lou blinks, “You’re rich?”

I sigh and gesture towards my bed, “You might want to sit down for this one. To put it in perspective, let me tell you about the facilities in my family house…”