Close to you

Chapter 13

The drive to the beach feels long this morning after the busy night at The Brig last night. I park near the salad and sandwich shop on the beachfront so I can grab some lunch before hitting the water. As I walk in, I remember that I was supposed to call Rose to tell her when I was headed down. I shuffle around in my purse until I find my phone and dial her number.

“Hey Callie!” She shrieks into the phone.

“Hey, I just wanted to let you know I just pulled up to the beach. I’m going to grab a sandwich before going down to the water.” I explained to her.

“Sounds great. I haven’t had lunch yet either. I’ll be there in like 15 mins.” She rushes.

“Ok, see you in a few.” I told her before hanging up the phone.

I place my phone down on the table and look over the menu. 

“Would you like anything to drink?” The waiter asks while walking up to the table.

“Just two glasses of water for now. I’m waiting for a friend to get here then we will order lunch.” I politely say. 

He nods and informs me he will be back with the drinks in a few minutes. Once, I decided what to order. I scan over my phone looking through i********: but I can’t stop thinking about Rose going over to Cody’s last night… And Jordans. I know Jordan lives there too but the fact that she said Cody called to come over is what keeps bugging me. Not that it is any of my business who he hangs out with or sees because it’s not. It’s not like he is my boyfriend or anything. I mean we just met a couple weeks ago. I just wish I could tell Rose about everything going on with us. Maybe then she would understand how I feel. She has just seemed so put off about the idea of me hanging out with Cody.

As the waiter drops off the waters, I see Rose walk through the front doors. Followed by Cody and Jordan. No one knows that me and Cody have spent the last few days wrapped up in the sheets together in my hotel room. I don’t know how I’m supposed to act around him. I want to run over to him and jump into his arms and kiss all over his body but by the way he is avoiding eye contact with me. I’m not sure he would want the same thing. 

“Hey.” I calmly say. “Sorry, I didn’t know you guys would be with Rose. I only ordered two waters.”

“It’s fine. Cody and I will put our order in when the waiter comes back by.” Jordan says sweetly. 

“I didn’t think you would mind them tagging along.” Rose states unsure.

Thankfully, I am saved by the waiter coming by to take everyone’s lunch orders. My eyes drift to Cody’s and he looks at me before smiling slightly and turning his attention back to Jordan talking. 

“Callie, are you going to come back to our apartment after we leave?” Jordan asks.

“Oh, I don’t think I will have time. I have to take a shower before my shift starts.” I explained.

“You can shower at our place, if you have all your stuff. I think I have to be in at the same time as you and Cody is going to come work the DJ booth tonight for me too.” 

“I think I have everything I need.” I tell them.

“Perfect. Now let’s eat so we can get to the beach.” Rose laughs.

While Rose and I set up our beach chairs Jordan and Cody take off to play football in the water. 

“So you are moving into your place Saturday right?” Rose asks.

“Yeah, I’m going to spend most of tomorrow packing and preparing so it will be easy to move over Saturday morning. Then I’ll have to go to the storage to get all my other stuff.” I responded.

“Well I can help you pack and move the stuff from the apartment. We can send the boys to the storage to get all the heavy stuff.” Rose demands.

“I’m sure they don’t want to help me move. They probably have other things to do anyway.” I rushly say. 

“No, they will help. It’ll be fine. Don’t worry about it.” Rose smiles at me.”I’m going to grab us some more water. I’ll be right back.

I nod before laying back in the chair. I feel a rush of emotions flood over me as I think back over the last few weeks. How is it possible that I can feel so deeply connected to someone that I barely know? How have I let myself get so swept away? I close my eyes trying to control my emotions. Cody invades my thoughts. All I think about when he isn’t around is being close to him. All I can think about when he is around is feeling his touch against my skin. I place the towel over my face. I feel like a complete mess under this heated sun.

“Hey.” I instantly know the voice. The husky growl that is just barely noticeable under the sweet tone of his voice. It’s the perfect mixture and makes me weak in the knees every time I hear it.

“Hey.” I say, pulling the towel off my face. 

His voice is so seductive as he leans down beside my ear and whispers, “What are you thinking about?”

I blush instantly. “Only you.” I say completely exposed. When I look up at him his cheeks have a hit of pink. Is he blushing? No way, he couldn’t possibly be blushing.

“Do you want to get in the water with me?” He asks, pulling my hand up.

“Rose just went to grab us drinks.” I tease him. “I should probably wait for her.”

Cody shakes his head no and bends down lifting me up into his arms. 

“Cody!” I shriek. “Put me down.” I start laughing.

“Never.” He says, looking down into my eyes. “Your mine.” The way the words fall off his tongue makes my heart skip a beat. 

He walks us into the water waist deep. I wait for him to put me down or pull us both under but he doesn’t. He just stands there holding me in his arms looking down at me. I place my hand around the nape of his neck and climb out of his arms. The cool water touches my navel causing me to suck my breath in. He placed his hand to my lower back and pressed me tight against his skin. I move my hand up and down his neck through the base of his hair. I watch as his eyes close as they indulge in my touch. I stand on my toes and press my lips against his. His mouth opens allowing me access. His hand moves to my neck before he leans down kissing my collar bone. His kisses are fueled by desire and need. They are forceful on my skin as they leave red marks in their wake.

“Cody.” I barely whisper in his ear. The heavy tone of his name saying more than I could ever explain.

“I know babe. Me too.” He responds between breaths.

He laces his fingers up the strings of my bikini top and his teeth barely graze over the skin of my exposed breast when Jordan yells. “Cody.”

Cody looks over at him. “We are starting the last game. Hurry up and get over here.” Jordan waves him over.

Cody looks back down at me, his fingers still pressed firmly against my skin.

“Go ahead.” I say, while removing my hands from his body. “Enjoy your last game.”

He places a firm kiss on my lips before dropping his hands from my waist and walking over to Jordan. I feel emptiness consume me as his touch vanishes from my skin.