Sebastian’s mouth hangs open. “Seriously? When?”
Now that I’ve said it out loud, the reality of it finally settles. The uncertainty swells inside me. “Actually, I think it was an accident. I think he meant to kiss my cheek, but I turned my head at the wrong moment. It couldn’t have lasted more than a second.”
His hands clap over his mouth. “Holy shit,” he mumbles against his fingers. “Max thinks you’re Kellan. Max... likes Kellan?” His eyes brighten in glee. “And you like Max?”
Do I? “He’s a nice guy. And I guess I do like him, even though I haven’t known him that long.” I’m not being entirely honest. Max has his issues with self-image, but deep down, he’s a nice guy who has trouble thinking he’s enough as he is, same as everyone else.
As if sensing I’m not going to bolt anytime soon, Sebastian moves away from the door. “What are you going to do when Kellan comes back?”
“I don’t know.” And that’s the problem, isn’t it? Kellan returns, I go back to being me, and I forget about this guy. That would be easiest. But is it what I want?
My phone buzzes in my pocket. I check the text, and my heart lurches sideways. “It’s Max.”
Before I can tuck my phone away, Sebastian sticks his face in front of it, reading the text. “Don’t forget about the charity car wash tomorrow.”
“What is that?” I say.
“Oh,” he says slyly. “Just a way to raise money. Apparently they do it every year. It’s mandatory, but I have a, um, appointment tomorrow, so I won’t be able to make it. You have to go, though.”
“I see,” I say in a flat tone. Car wash. Lovely. Weekends are spent on coding, and I want to check the website to see if I was accepted into the summer internship program, but I guess that will have to be put on hold for now. “But what about—”
“Don’t worry about it,” Sebastian coos, basically shoving me out the door. “You need to get there at ten. It’s in the parking lot near the student union. You let me know how it goes, okay?”
“But—”
He shuts the door in my face.
Chapter 14
Max
The Annual Charity Car Wash is one of the team’s main spring fundraisers. I’m not sure who originally came up with the concept. Basically, it’s a car wash. At least, that’s what it’s advertised as, and yet everyone knows there’s so much more to it. You won’t find little old ladies lining up for a clean. The majority of our paying customers are, in fact, college-aged women.
That’s because, for Notre Dame’s Men’s Soccer Team, washing cars is a more illicit affair. Boxers or briefs. Naked chests. Soapy water sluicing down well-muscled forms. Really, you could spend your time a lot worse on a Saturday afternoon. As an extra incentive, you can pay to get your picture taken with the half-naked players. That’s where we make the most cash. It’s every warm-blooded, heterosexual girl’s wet dream. Literally.
We’ve set up shop at one of the smaller parking lots on campus. The weather, for once, is working in our favor. Don’t get me wrong, washing cars half-naked in the middle of an Indiana winter isn’t something anyone wants to do, but at least the sky is blue, the sun shining and offering warmth, no wind chill. The water is warm too. It could be worse. And besides, it’s for charity.
The event starts in about ten minutes. To get the word out, we hung posters around campus, took out ads in the university newspaper, created a Facebook event, and passed out fliers. I expect we’ll wash a few hundred cars before the day is done. That means more money to donate to our charity of choice this year: March of Dimes.
As I move between the stations, making sure everyone has all the necessary supplies, I spot Kellan standing off to the side awkwardly, still fully dressed. He wears a heavy coat, jeans, and boots. He gives me a slow once-over that heats my blood. I keep my smile easy as I approach. I’ve already stripped, as have the other guys, though I wear my coat unzipped until it’s time to start washing. “Hey, glad you’re here.”
I receive a reserved nod in return. He darts a look at our teammates. “Well, it is mandatory.”
At this, I send him a look of confusion.
An emotion crosses Kellan’s face that I can’t read. “It is mandatory… right?”
“Well, no. But you’re here so…”
Closing his eyes, he takes a deep breath. “Fucking Sebastian.”
I start to laugh. Can’t help it. Sebastian can be such a tool, but then there are times when the results are just too funny.
He crosses his arms over his chest, looks around. Looking everywhere but at me. “Do I have to wash cars naked?”
It’s Kellan’s first year doing the car wash, so I explain, “Underwear only. Unless of course you think you’re going to die of hypothermia, then you can put on some clothes. More skin generally equals more tips. Everything is donated, so I guess it depends on how important charity is to you.” I shrug, trying to ease the awkwardness. Though I can’t say I’m not looking forward to seeing Kellan shirtless.
My mouth goes dry as, with a look of irritation, Kellan strips. First his shoes and socks.
