You Probably Won't See It - Connor Sharpe x reader

Chapter 12

We finished the last bites of cake and drained the last drops from our cups.

“Let’s take a walk,” Jake suggested, stretching out his arms like he was waking up from a nap. “I don’t want the night to end yet.”

Everyone agreed, and soon we were spilling out into the quiet streets. The sun had long set, but the sky wasn’t fully black yet, it was that perfect shade of deep navy blue that you only get on late summer evenings.

The air was cool but not cold. A gentle breeze moved through the trees lining the sidewalks, carrying the faint smell of freshly cut grass.

Yumi slipped her hand into mine as we started walking, her fingers cold against my skin but comforting.

“Thanks for hanging out tonight,” I whispered, knowing she could hear me just fine.

“Of course! It’s been too long since we all just chilled like this,” she smiled back.

Jake was already in his own world, bouncing on the balls of his feet as he tried to freestyle a rap about something or maybe nothing at all and Laura was giggling beside him, shaking her head in amused disbelief.

Connor and Aidan, walking a few steps ahead, were deep in some conversation about video games or something else only they seemed to understand. They both looked relaxed, but Connor’s eyes kept darting back toward me now and then. I caught him once staring longer than usual and looked away quickly.

After a while, the group’s pace slowed, and we turned onto a side street that led to a small skate park tucked between two low brick buildings. The park was lit by a few tall streetlamps, casting long shadows across the ramps and rails.

There were a handful of skaters out, most teenagers like us, grinding rails. The sound of wheels rolling on concrete and occasional laughter filled the air.

Connor and Aidan immediately recognized some of the skaters, and a few called out greetings.

One of them was Marcus, he looked every inch the stereotypical skater boy with his messy dark hair, backwards baseball cap, loose T-shirt, and worn sneakers. His grin was wide and friendly.

“Hey, didn’t expect you guys here tonight,” Marcus said as he approached our group.

Marcus’s eyes landed on us. “Hey, we never met before. I'm Marcus. Wanna try skating?”

My heart skipped. Skateboarding? Me?

I hesitated, but Connor gave me a little encouraging nod. “It’s fun, I swear.”

Marcus handed me a board. It felt heavier than I expected in my hands, and I eyed the concrete ramps nervously.

“Okay, just stand on it and keep your balance,” Marcus said, stepping close. “I’ll hold your hands.”

I stepped onto the board, wobbling immediately. Marcus gripped my hands firmly but gently, steadying me.

“Don’t look down,” he said with a grin. “Look straight ahead. You’ve got this.”

I tried to smile, but my knees shook. Connor was standing off to the side, watching, arms crossed, a little frown on his face.

I caught him glancing at me and Marcus again, and there it was something flickering in his eyes. Jealousy?

I pushed the thought aside and focused on staying upright. Marcus started pushing me slowly forward, holding my hands so I wouldn’t fall.

“See? You’re doing great,” Marcus said, laughing as I managed a few shaky rolls.

Connor cleared his throat loudly and walked closer. “Hey, let me show you a trick or two,” he said, voice a little tight.

Marcus stepped back, smirking like he knew exactly what was going on. “I’ll give you guys some space,” he teased.

Connor bent down to help me steady the board, and suddenly I felt his hands near mine. The contact was electric.

“You’re a natural,” he said, and I saw a smile tug at the corner of his mouth.

We practiced a few more times, and every now and then I caught Connor looking at me with that same fierce, protective glint.

Yumi was watching with a huge grin, whispering to Jake and Laura, probably commenting on how cute I looked trying to skate.

After a while, Marcus suggested we sit on the nearby benches for a break. We all flopped down, laughing and joking about who had the worst wipeout.

“I think Laura wins,” Marcus teased after she dramatically fell off her board with a surprised yelp.

Laura laughed, rubbing her elbow. “Hey, at least I tried!”

Connor pulled his jacket around him as the temperature dropped slightly. I shivered and felt him slide his sweatshirt off and drape it over my shoulders without a word.

I looked up at him, surprised and thankful, and his face softened.

The night was quiet except for the soft hum of the city and our light chatter.

As we finally left the skate park and started heading back home, I felt a flutter in my chest nervous, excited, and maybe a little bit hopeful.