The Perfect Play by Cookie O’Gorman

CHAPTER 21: Charlie

Fact: The best way to take your mind off a guy was to hang with your girls.

I'd been needing this for a while now.

It wasn't like my friends and I could meet-up all the time. Even though most of us lived together, we each had lives, different class schedules and commitments. But it helped to check-in every now and then.

That was why I called an Emergency Day With The Girls right when I got home from the away games.

June told me she was in. We'd driven back together to Southern after game three—it had been an easy win for the Wolves. There had been a lot of kissing during the massage I gave Chase afterward. And yes, I may have needed to put some distance between us because I couldn't stop thinking about what we'd done last night and all the feelings. Anyway, it didn't take the others that long to reply. We were currently in the living room, binging episodes of Bridgerton. There were no males around—except for the beautiful ones on screen. Just me and my awesome ladies.

"This is absolute bliss," I said on a sigh.

"I agree," Honor said, "but could you go a little lower?"

I moved my hands down her back. "Here?"

She moaned. "Oh yes, right there."

Rose who was sitting in front of Honor, getting a massage of her own laughed. "That sounds like it feels good."

"It does."

June, who was in front of Rose, nodded. "I can't believe we didn't think of this before. Massage circles are the best things ever."

"Yeah," I said, "right next to the costumes in this show. Did you see Daphne's dress? Perfection."

"Makes me want to try out a corset," Rose put in. "Though I'm not sure my tatas would appreciate being that confined."

Honor shook her head. "They would not—but I'm with you. It might be worth the pain. There's something about a corset that's so sexy."

We all voiced our agreement.

"And the dance choreography!" I said. "Ugh, be still my heart. Can we just take a second to appreciate that?"

"The music's one of my favorite parts," Rose said.

"My favorite is Penelope," June said. "Hands-down. I feel like she's my tribe."

I nodded. "I can totally see that."

"Don't we all want to be her, though?" Rose said. "I know I do. She's a writer—which is only like the best profession in the world. And there's nothing more beautiful than falling in love with your best friend."

"Yeah," June mumbled, "as long as they return your affection. Unrequited love is the worst."

My heart went out to her. I was pretty sure we all knew exactly what—and who—she was referring to, and I knew it had to be difficult. Not wanting to let anything bring us down, I clapped my hands.

"Alright people," I said. "My shoulders are feeling a little left out. Let's turn around."

We spun so that Honor's hands were now kneading my neck.

Again, I thought as a sigh slipped past my lips, this is the life.

"Where is Emmy, anyway?" Honor said. "She left like thirty minutes ago to get the food. I thought she'd be back by now."

"Maybe she stopped for dessert?" Rose offered.

"She does have a sweet tooth," June said.

I rolled my eyes. "Or maybe she just wanted to get out of reciprocating. I'd already massaged her back for a good fifteen minutes before she disappeared."

A second later, Emmy burst through the door, carrying a couple of bags and a big box in her arms.

"Did I miss it?" she said.

"Miss what?" Rose asked.

Our youngest roommate scoffed. "Come on, there's only one scene I could be talking about."

Honor, Rose, and I looked to each other then shook our heads.

"She's talking about the spoon scene," June said.

Ahh's filled the space. How could we have possibly forgotten the iconic moment when women everywhere became instantly addicted to the seemingly innocent-looking cooking utensil?

"Yes, that's correct," Emmy said. "The spoon scene. Gah, it still gives me chills. I wish I was that spoon."

"Don't we all?" Rose said, which made us laugh.

"So, did I miss it?" Emmy repeated.

I shook my head. "No, you made it back in plenty of time."

"Ooh, yay! You know we would've had to re-start the whole thing if that was the case."

"What took you so long?" June got up to help her friend distribute the plethora of items in her hands. "I thought you were just going for a quick food run."

"I was," she said. "Then I thought about the duke's spoon—did you know I collect those now? It's crazy. Anyway, I had to stop and get us some ice cream for dessert."

Rose smirked. "I would do my I-told-you-so happy dance, but I think we all know I was right. So, I won't."

Emmy walked over to stand in front of me and placed the cardboard box on the coffee table.

"I also went to get this."

I recognized the logo immediately.

"For you," she said, popping the lid open and showing me my favorite dish from Village Pizza.

"I don't get it," I said warily. "What's this for? We called off the bet because you tried to cheat."

Emmy held up a hand. "That's debatable. We never said I couldn't say anything to Chase."

I felt my heart skip at the name.

"Anyway, I figured you won, so here's the only pizza you'll be getting from me. Enjoy it, Charlie."

My stomach dropped again, but I forced out the words.

"Why do you think I won?" I asked.

"Um, because my brother keeps asking me about you," she said. "Plus, he punched that jerk Randall in the nose. Baylor told Dex who told me that had something to do with you."

"And they say women are the only ones who gossip."

"Chase's been trying to contact you. Did you know? I've got his number if you want—"

"That's okay."

"But he's been asking—"

I stood so fast I almost upended the pizza. "Anyone need anything from the kitchen?"

No answer.

"I'll get us plates and napkins."

The girls let me go without comment, but I could feel their eyes on me as I walked away.

My mind was still stuck on that name. Chase, Chase, Chase. We hadn't spoken again about our relationship status. It shouldn't surprise me that he wanted to talk—but it kind of did. Considering the last time we'd seen each other, he'd kissed me breathless, and the night before that, he'd given me the orgasm-to-end-all-orgasms—and now, I was ghosting him? Most guys would've been angry or bitter. Maybe Chase wanted to tell me off, I thought. Maybe he'd start looking at me the same way some other guys did, think I was exactly what Randall (and Justin before him) had said I was.

For some reason, though, I couldn't buy into it.

Chase wasn't like those guys. He didn't strike me as someone who'd want to hurt a girl simply because his ego had gotten bruised. He didn't seem like the kind of guy who'd want to hurt a girl. Period. That wasn't him.

But I needed a moment.

Time to think and wrap my head around everything.

I'd thought about calling him a thousand times. Emmy or Honor would've gladly given me his number. But I didn't ask, wasn't sure I was ready to tell anyone we were…a couple.

Gah, had I really just thought that?

I gritted my teeth and gathered the plates and napkins. Trying to get back to my happy place, I took a deep breath. And another.

"Hey," Honor said, coming up beside me. "Are you okay?"

"Of course," I said. "I always am."

My best friend tilted her head.

"Your breath caught out there when you heard Chase's name."

I rolled my eyes. "No, it didn't."

"Yeah, it did. I saw you. And why are you suddenly ducking his calls?"

Honor reached into the drawer and pulled out a handful of spoons.

"Let me just go drop these off," she said then pointed to me. "You meet me in your room. We need to have a BFF heart-to-heart."

"That's not necessary," I said.

"One minute. Be there, Charlie, or I'll drag you in."

I scoffed but did as she said. Honor didn't sound like she was joking. I knew she wouldn't let this slide if she really thought something was wrong, so I decided to get this conversation over with. Plopping down in the center of my bed, I waited. A couple minutes later, Honor came inside, shut the door, and put a tub of rocky road between us with two spoons.

"Okay," she said. "Spill. What happened between you and Chase?"

I opened my mouth, intending to hedge, but she stopped me with a look.

"Don't say it's nothing. I'm your best friend, and you can tell me the truth. I'll love you no matter what, Charlie. No judgments."

It all came out then.

Like water pouring from a leaky faucet, my words tumbled out until they formed a waterfall. I told Honor everything about Chase and me and our relationship—even some of the spicier bits. She was my best friend. She'd been new to a lot of things regarding physical intimacy until she met Archer, but I didn't hold back. Honor fanned her face a couple of times. Other than that, she listened without moving or commenting. I explained what happened with Randall, the crappy things he'd said, Chase's reaction, how I'd tried to break it off—but then ended up doing exactly the opposite. By the time I was done, I felt spent.

"So…Chase likes you?" she asked.

I nodded.

"So much so that he hit some jerk who was badmouthing you? By the way, I don't blame him. I would've done the same thing. No one talks like that about my bestie."

I couldn't picture Honor hitting anyone, but I didn't say anything. It looked like she was still processing all of the info I'd just dumped on her.

"And he really called you his future?"

I nodded again.

"Ah, that is so romantic," she said. "When Archer says things like that to me, I think I'll die happy—or marry him on the spot. One of those."

I pointed to her chest. "Yeah, that's you. You're the happily-ever-after type, not me."

"So, when we were kids, I watched all those Disney movies alone?" She shot me a look. "I'll need to call your parents to verify. I could've sworn you were there, too."

"Okay fine," I said, "but you bought into it more. Even waited for Mr. Right to come along."

"Yes," Honor said, "because I was too scared to put my heart out there."

"You know, I never understood why you and Chase didn't give it go. You're so alike."

Honor laughed. "And that's exactly what I want in a relationship, someone who's just like me. Charlie, please."

"But you both read books," I went on. "He's sweet, and you're sweet. You're hopeless romantics with soft centers. You waited for the one and so is he."

"I think you have a marshmallow center, too, my friend," she said. "Even if you won't admit it."

"Still, you and him, it would've been a match made in heaven."

Honor let out a sigh. "But neither one of us likes the other that way. Plus, I'm with Archer."

"I honestly don't see why." I sniffed. "Chase is so much better than his brothers. Better than any guy really."

"Well, of course, you think so. You're meant for each other."

I groaned. "Oh God, please don't say that."

"Why not?" she said.

"Because it's not true."

Honor shook her head. "I don't get it. You enjoy talking and spending time with Chase. Right?"

I couldn't argue with that.

"You go to his baseball games—"

"For the PT assignment," I put in.

"—and I've never heard you complain about how it cuts into your free time. June even said you cheered at these last games. More than once."

"June cheered way louder than me," I mumbled.

"You even made up some weird excuse about helping him 'practice' romance for his soulmate."

"That was to win the bet," I said.

"And now," Honor continued, "after you admit that you want to try a relationship, you're avoiding him? Just like that? Anyone can see that you're into Chase." She held up a hand when I went to argue, forestalling my words. "And he's obviously crazy about you. I don't see what the problem is."

I shrugged. "Come on, Honor. This isn't normal. You know I never hook up with the same guy twice."

"Is this about what Randall said?" she asked. "Because I remember Justin Humphreys, and he was never good enough for you."

"No, no," I said. "Justin was an entitled jerk who liked to spread false rumors and thought he was God's gift to women. It's got nothing to do with him or his dumb roommate."

"Then what?"

"It's just…Chase is so nice and interesting and wonderful."

Honor nodded for me to keep going.

"He actually believes in true love," I said, holding up my hands. "Can you believe that? A college guy, who's not only a virgin and an athlete, but one who's gone his entire life, thinking there's a match out there just for him? And that once he finds her their love will last forever? Ridiculous."

"That's just who Chase is," Honor said.

"And I love that," I said. "I love that he has such a beautiful heart. I love how he doesn't let that make him too serious. I love how thoughtful he is. I love how he listens when I talk. I love…" I shook my head. "Anyway, there's a lot to love about Chase. But that's not the point."

I took a deep breath.

"The point is he made a mistake," I said. "And I did, too. I blame the weird talk with his mother. She totally addled my brain."

"Having mom-approval isn't a bad thing," Honor said, and I could tell she was trying not to laugh. But this was serious.

"I'm not that girl," I said. "I can't be."

"Why not?"

"Guys have only ever wanted me for one thing, Honor. You know that. No one ever sticks around to hear what I have to say, think or feel."

"That's their loss," she said.

"You're damn right. I'm fabulous, and I love myself, flaws and all," I said. "But Chase…he looks deeper. He sees me, the real me, the person I am inside. If he keeps looking, I'm afraid he'll realize what I already have."

Honor lifted her brows in question.

"Chase deserves better. He deserves someone perfect, like him. That's why I'm thinking of breaking things off. Before he can."

My best friend blinked, sitting with her mouth open. After a beat, she frowned, and in a move I didn't see coming, she reached forward and pinched me on the thigh. Hard.

"Ow!" I cried. "Why so violent all of a sudden?"

"Because," she said, "you just implied that you're not good enough, and I told you already. No one talks like that about my best friend. Not even you."

I rubbed the tender spot on my leg. "Well, that was uncalled for. I only said Chase deserves better—"

"Sounds like you need another pinch."

"Geez, calm down," I said. "Those nails of yours are pinchers of death."

Honor huffed. "Charlie, I love you. You're like my sister. But sometimes you really piss me off."

She reached forward, but instead of delivering another pinch, she took my hand.

"I'm sorry we didn't talk sooner. I had no idea you were feeling this way," she said. "I've been slacking on my best friend duties because of spending so much time with Archer. But I see now that you needed me."

"To what, jab me with your surprisingly strong nails?"

Honor smiled. "To remind you of how fantastic you are."

I rolled my eyes at that. "Please, I know this."

"You're so confident that sometimes I forget," she said. "You've got insecurities just like anyone else."

"I have no idea what you're talking about."

Honor met my eyes and spoke without hesitation. "Charlie, you are literally the best person I've ever known," she said. "I think it's sad that you can't see why Chase would want to keep you forever. He'd be an idiot not to want that."

I blinked.

"I love you more than anyone else in this world."

I sniffled, couldn't help it. "Well, I am pretty awesome."

"That's right. If you want Chase, you should be with him. I guarantee he won't find anyone better."

"But he's so inexperienced," I said, revealing one of my deepest fears. "What if we're together for a while, and then Chase gets bored? It's only natural for him to be curious about other women. He'll want to play the field. What if she is out there, his actual soulmate, and he finds her then leaves me in the dust?"

Honor tilted her head. "Did you just use a baseball analogy?"

I slapped her on the shoulder. "Come on, I'm serious."

"I know you are," she said. "But so am I. Chase won't find anyone that even compares to you, and he'd be a fool to let you go. And who cares what he deserves? You deserve someone who makes you happy."

I leaned forward and gave her a big hug.

"I missed you," I said into her shoulder.

"I missed you more," Honor said as she slowly leaned back. "So, did I help at all?"

"Yeah," I said, "but I still don't know what I'm doing with Chase. I mean, is he my boyfriend now? Am I his girlfriend? What does that even mean?"

She gave me a nod. "There's no rush. You guys will figure it out together. Take your time and just do whatever feels right."

Honor pointed to my nightstand.

"By the way, are those what I think they are?" she said.

Of course, Honor would notice the small pile of books next to my bed.

I sniffed. "They're the ones Chase got me if that's what you mean."

"Which book are you on?"

"I read the first two and am in the middle of book three in the series. Why?"

Honor grinned. "So, he not only made you fall for him. Chase also got you reading. I'm liking this pairing more and more."

"Ugh," I said. "Get your bookworm self out of here."

"Okay, but let me say one more thing."

The way she was looking at me with that serious expression I expected a vast amount of wisdom.

What I got instead?

"Team ChaCha forever!"

She said the words then ran out of the room giggling as I threw one of my pillows at her.

I knew Honor was right. I did deserve someone who could make me happy, and I did love myself. But it was the strangest thing: On the one hand, I was scared Chase wouldn't want to keep me. On the other…I was shocked by the truth of my feelings about him. There'd never been any guy I'd wanted to keep before.

Rule #3 of Seduction: Never fall in love.

I wasn't sure, but I thought I might've broken my own rule.

And I had no idea how to handle it.