“Yeah, I couldn't let you drive again,” I shook my head as she laughed.
“No...” she laughed harder, but instead of finishing her sentence, she moved my car into drive again and executed a perfect parallel parking onto the supercharger, fixing the previous atrocity she had done. “No, I couldn't fake being a bad driver any longer.”
“You're horrible,” I muttered, my heart hammering in my chest. “I thought I might die.”
“It allowed your mind rest,” Rosie retorted. “If you had been at peace, your mind would have been racing. Like this, you focused on only one thing. My driving.”
A grateful smile tugged on my lips, and I couldn't believe she just did that to me. I was impressed and scared at the same time. And so fucking grateful.
“Come on,” she opened the door. “I need ice cream.”
Within an hour, we finished two cheeseburgers and ice cream, and I kept admiring Rosie’s beautiful face as she slumped back in the passenger seat, her long legs resting on my dashboard. We talked about everything and nothing. Not once did she ask about the game, nor did she bring up the kiss, and the whole last week when we didn't talk.
There were moments she wanted to, the way her eyes scanned my face, her lips parted to speak, but she would always end up closing her mouthand shaking her head.
I reached for my car display and switched the playlist to her 'If You're Still Listening’one.
“You know... I was surprised you included an actual Taylor Swift song on your sacred playlist,” I said, pushing play on'This is Me Trying'. Out of the whole playlist, that song was the most Rosalie-coded.
“Guess, this is me trying,” she shrugged, leaning her head against the headrest. “I'm really sorry for how I reacted. I just didn’t want to complicate your life. But at the same time... I love spending time with you. It feels so easy and natural, like you know me really well. You understand me, and that's rare to find. I'm scared to lose you as a friend, but at the same time, I'm lowkey dying to find out how it feels to kiss you.”
Her cheeks turned pink from the confession, and all the broken pieces from my heart slowly came together, listening to her words.
“Rosie,” I reached out, forcing her to look at me as I palmed her flushed cheeks. “You are the only one in my life who doesn't complicate things.”
“But Aaron...” she reminded me of her brother, and I was well aware my teammate would be less than excited over the prospect of anything happening between us, but I didn't really care. I owed him nothing. “I don't want you to have a harder time on the field than you already have just because I like you.”
“I like you too,” I admitted quietly. “I think I liked you from the first time you showed up with cupcakes to support my recovery.”
Rosalie smiled at the memory. “I was on my baking kick.”
“Sure,” I laughed. “Nova told me you fussed over those cupcakes like your life depended on it. And you still used pink frosting, so I wouldn't suspect it.”
She shrugged. “I was being subtle. In case you haven't noticed, I didn't know how to play this game. You were supposed to teach me.”
“Oh, honey, you have a lot of game.” I shook my head. “And trust me, the last thing I want is you practicing on anyone else.”
Challenge lit up her eyes as she leaned in closer. “Are you implying that you're going to be my...”
“Whatever.” I rushed to her help. “I'll be whatever you need me to be. Friend. Lover. Boyfriend. V-card holder. Anything.”
The wheels in her mind turned, and she slowly nodded. “Okay... but I don't want Aaron to find out. Not until... We figured this out first. Just you and me.”
I nodded. “Agree.”
“Okay,” Rosie graced me with a sweet smile, and leaning in, she brushed a kiss onto my cheeks.
I slid my hand to the back of her head and didn't let her go too far. “You know you can do more than just a little peck?” I teased her and watched as her cheeks flushed.
“I know, but baby steps,” she muttered, nervously biting her lip.
Letting my hand fall from her face, she settled back into her seat and pulled her legs under her and leveled me with a look.
It was my turn to feel uncomfortable as I followed the flick of her eyes to my phone, which was lighting up every couple of minutes.
“They are going to send out a search party soon if you don't answer.”
It's only been two hours since the game. I was allowed time. But clearly, my friends thought I was being unreasonable. I haven't gotten that many missed calls... like ever.
