Kiss and Don't Tell(126)

My phone buzzes next to me and I lift it up to eye level to see it’s a text from Winnie.

Whenever I see her name cross my phone’s screen, I get so fucking excited, because even though it’s been painful to be patient, to wait this out, to grow this relationship like the boys have said, having these moments where she’s talking to me makes it all worth it.

Unfortunately for me, it’s just a text message. Might be best, though—don’t feel like carrying on a conversation in the training room.

Winnie: I just got a beautiful cookie bouquet delivered to the house. Max already shoved an entire cookie in his mouth. Thank you.

I really think Max and I could be good friends. We’ve chatted a bit through Instagram. He’s very openly stated that he’s rooting for me and he’ll help in any way he can. I’ve clearly taken him up on that.

Pacey: I was going to send you some cupcakes, but I asked Max. I take it this might be HIS favorite cookie place, not yours.

Winnie: Oh no, I love these cookies, but I do think Max had ulterior motives.

Pacey: As long as you love them, that’s all that matters. Did you have fun celebrating?

Winnie: I did. Katherine passed out on the couch and Max was wasted, so he pretended to ride Katherine like a horse while whipping his shirt over his head. I have damning evidence of such events that I’ll use as blackmail when I need to.

Pacey: I have a whole folder on my phone of damning evidence on the boys. It’s a smart tactic.

Winnie: Let me guess, you have the most on Silas?

Pacey: Yup. He’s the guy who does stupid shit. Posey will end up doing some idiotic things, but nothing he’s embarrassed about. Taters, on the other hand, he’s given me a lot of gold.

Winnie: I can only imagine. So, as I sit here eating one of these deliciously soft cookies, what are you doing?

Pacey: Icing my neck. Just got done with an ART session. I’m supposed to take it easy for the rest of the day.

Winnie: Are you feeling better?

Pacey: Yeah, it’s a slow process because they don’t want to stress the muscles out or anything, but I can feel a difference. Haven’t had a migraine since the one in Banff.

Winnie: That’s great news.

Pacey: Yeah. Anyway, glad you like the cookies. Enjoy, and congratulations again, Winnie. I’m really fucking proud of you.

Winnie: Thank you. That means a lot, Pacey.

Itching to do more, I set my phone down on my stomach and practice patience. This will pay off. It has to.





Pacey: What are you doing?

Holmes just left for the night, my stomach is full from the stupid-ass steak salads we had, and I’m bored.

It’s been two days since Winnie received her cookies, and with each passing minute, I’m growing more and more impatient.

I want to call her.

See her face.

Chat about everything and nothing.

Call her babe.

Hold her goddamn hand.

Kiss those perfect lips.

If anything, this time apart has solidified my feelings for her. I need her in my life. I want her in my life.

My phone buzzes, and like a rabid beast looking for his next meal, I quickly unlock my phone and read my text.

Posey: I miss fudge.

Fucking idiot. Jesus Christ. I ignore his text and set my phone down while laying my head back on the couch. Full House is on TV. It’s the serious moment when the music turns inspirational and Danny Tanner gets eye to eye with his girls and teaches them a lesson. Normally, I’d be invested in the lesson, because we all have to learn and grow—right?—but right now, I wish Danny Tanner was giving a lesson on patience instead.

My phone buzzes again and I clutch it in my palm.

If it’s Posey telling me to feed him fudge, I’m going to fucking lose it.

I quickly flash the screen in my direction, and relief floods me when I see Winnie’s name on the screen.

Winnie: Listening to Katherine review a PowerPoint she put together to tell us every reason why we need bars on all of our windows. She sees that I’m texting and she doesn’t look happy.

Pacey: I would say slowly put the phone down and pay attention, but that would mean I don’t get to talk to you.

Winnie: You want to talk to me? Anything important? I just left the room.

Pacey: In the middle of a safety presentation? Ballsy.

Winnie: I walk on the wild side. Everything okay?

Pacey: Everything is fine. Just bored out of my mind. Posey is driving me nuts. Need to talk to someone sane.

Winnie: I would hardly call me sane, but I do think I have a leg up on Levi.

Pacey: More than a leg. Since you walked out on Katherine, aren’t you afraid she’s going to hover over your bed and stare at you when you sleep?

Winnie: No, I’m used to that by now.

Pacey: LOL. Does she really do that?

Winnie: Just once, and it was the scariest thing of my life. I slapped her in the chest, which she ended up complaining about for days after.

Pacey: Why was she over your bed?

Winnie: Long story, but we’d had food delivered and she’d thought the delivery person was sketchy. She thought the food was poisoned, so she’d rotate between my room and Max’s to make sure we were still breathing. She was being a good friend, but I could’ve done without waking up to her intently staring at me.

Pacey: Pretty sure I would do worse than a slap to the chest if that happened to me.