It’s almost nine in the morning by the time I get home, and I’m yawning like crazy. I don’t know how people work overnight. I don’t think I could do it. This whole sleeping with the sun up thing might mess with me, even though stepping inside the entryway of CJ’s house, I feel like I could drop right here. Before that happens, I set my book bag on a stool and head straight for the bedroom.
CJ is still asleep, rolled up on his side and facing the window. I kick off my sneakers and move into the bathroom without disturbing him, strip out of my scrubs and sports bra, and wash up. I’m skipping a shower since I’m too exhausted for that, but I do run a wet washcloth over myself. After brushing my teeth and washing my face, I exit the bathroom, walk around the bed, and climb in under the covers, snuggling against CJ’s warm chest when he lifts his arm as an invite.
“Hi,” I whisper.
He presses a kiss to my forehead, and in a deep, sleep heavy voice, asks me, “Did you have a good night?”
“Yeah. I think I decided what I want to specialize in.”
“What?”
“Pediatrics.”
CJ’s arm around me gives me a squeeze. “I’m sure you’ll kick ass at it like everything else. You’re fucking unstoppable.”
He says that as if he knows I’d be good at this.
God . . .
I smile, leaning back to look at him and running my hand through his bedhead hair. “How was your night? Were the fireworks good?”
“They weren’t bad,” he answers, shoulder jerking. “I’m glad Jake didn’t go though. There were a ton of people there getting fucked up.”
“When will you see him again?”
“Not sure. He can’t be taking leave all the time. And I don’t think he’s stopping here again before he heads back to South Carolina. He’ll want to spend that time with his girl.” CJ’s hand comes up, and his heavy-lidded eyes follow his thumb as he brushes a strand of hair off my cheek. “I’m glad I got to see him though. I worry about him.”
“You’re a really good brother,” I say, gathering that from the little time I spent with the two of them, and just from knowing the kind of man CJ is. Our eyes lock. I grin, but hold it for less than a second before I’m breaking it with a yawn I can’t fight.
CJ draws me against him again, laughing softly inside his chest. “I’m going to get up,” he murmurs, lips touching above my brow. “I got some stuff to do.”
“Okay. I got some sleeping to do.”
My eyes are closed before CJ’s pulling away, the bed dipping with his weight. I feel the sheet slide up my shoulder and tuck against my neck, his touch on my hip, and his breath against my temple before he presses a kiss there.
“Night, darlin’.”
“Morning,” I tease.
He chuckles quietly and pulls away. And I never hear the door close. I’m asleep before then.
My phone alarm wakes me.
I stretch my limbs and snatch it off the pillow CJ uses, frowning at the screen.
I know I didn’t put it there. I left my phone in the kitchen before coming to bed. And I also know I didn’t set my alarm.
Yawning, I turn it off and check the time. It’s nearly eight p.m.
Holy crap. I’ve been sleeping forever.
The house is quiet. I don’t hear the TV on—or any noise for that matter—as I scoot out of bed and pull on my hoodie, going pantless for now. I’m just about to head out of the room and look for CJ when my phone beeps with a message.
CJ: Meet me at Calvert Stadium.
Calvert Stadium? Huh? The high school?
Me: Hi ;) Did you mean to send that to me?
CJ: Hi, beautiful. Yes I did.
Beautiful.
I smile and rub at my sleepy eyes.
Me: Why am I meeting you there?
CJ: To celebrate.
To celebrate?
As soon as the question circles my mind, awareness shakes me. My pulse quickens as my thumbs hurry with a response.
Me: You didn’t.
CJ: I did.
I gasp, hand flying up to my mouth. No way. No. way. He couldn’t. It isn’t possible. Fireworks on July fifth?
Me: Are you being serious right now? Am I really going to see fireworks? I don’t believe you.
CJ: Believe it, babe.
I shriek into the silence of the room. My phone nearly slipping out of my hands.
This is why he set my alarm.
Me: OMGGGG I’m getting dressed and leaving RIGHT NOW!
I have to hurry. I cannot miss this.
Tossing my phone on the bed, I rip off my hoodie and tear into the dresser.
After parking my car at the open metal gate that wraps around the stadium seats, I take off running across the track and onto the field.
It’s dark out so the lights are on. Bright white light beaming from above. It illuminates CJ’s truck that's parked dead center and covering up the school logo.
When I’m nearly at mid-field, he stands up in the bed.
“Oh, my God! CJ!” I call out. “What are you doing? Are you even allowed to park out here?”
This has to be illegal. Or at least highly frowned upon.
His mouth is stretched into a big, beautiful grin as he steps to the back of truck, mindful of the blankets he’s spread out.
A pile of them. Pillows too. And wait . . . yep. He has his stereo on. I recognize Sam Hunt.
This is exactly what I asked for.
God, is this seriously happening?
“A guy owes me a favor,” he vaguely explains. “Don’t worry about it. Come on. Let’s get you up here.” He reaches down with one hand, as if he’s going to hoist me up like that.
Ha! Yeah, right.
I gape at him, laughing a little with my hands on my hips. “Uh . . . okay, but if I pull you out of that truck, it’s your own fault.” I take a hold of his hand and wrap my other around his forearm, and then I’m being lifted off the ground without so much as a grunt in exertion. I squeak when my feet hit the bed. “You’re like Thor,” I joke.
CJ chuckles. He grabs my waist and pulls me against him, kissing the top of my head.
“Hi,” I murmur, pushing my hands through his hair and cupping his cheeks. “Is this real?”
I’m waiting to wake up from the best dream of my life.
He smiles down at me, his hands exploring my bottom and squeezing me roughly through my shorts. “It’s what you wanted, right? I told you I’d make it happen.”
He sure did.
“Yeah.” I drag my thumb over his mouth and press, feeling the heat of CJ’s tongue when he opens up and sucks me in. Pure need courses in my blood.
Holy crap, I’m horny.
“So.” I drop my hands and wiggle out of his hold. Another second of ass-grabbing and I might beg CJ to take me home so we can fuck. And I don’t want to miss his surprise. “Oo. What do we have here?” I kick off my Chucks before crawling over the mound of soft blankets to get to the cooler in the corner of the bed. I grip the handle and rattle it. Objects thump against the sides. “Did you bring us coconut treats?” I ask, voice teasing as I peer back at him over my shoulder.
I know I have to be beaming. This is too perfect.
“You were pretty damn specific in your request, remember?” he answers. “Right down to the exact date you wanted this to happen.” He toes off his own sneakers and socks, and it’s then I realize he isn’t wearing his boot. My face must express my concern because CJ is quick to explain, “It’s in the back. It's not like I'm walking around much up here.”