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

Chapter 25

Yumi and I exchanged looks and burst out laughing. "Boys," I said, shaking my head.

Yumi nudged me. "Bet you can't get them both in."

Challenge accepted.

I stood up, brushing sand off my legs. "Alright, boys, if you're too chicken to jump in, we'll find someone who's braver."

Connor glared playfully, then grabbed Aidan's arm. "Race you in."

They sprinted towards the water, splashing and yelling like kids.

I plopped back down next to Yumi, who smirked. "Your turn to jump in."

I rolled my eyes but couldn't help smiling. "Maybe later. For now, I'm enjoying the sun."

The rest of the afternoon passed in a blur of playing beach volleyball (where I definitely lost), eating too many snacks. At one point, Laura dared Connor to do a silly dance, which he absolutely refused to do but ended up doing anyway when she threatened to post a video of him online.

As the sun started setting, Connor and I found ourselves sitting a little apart from the others. We kicked at the sand, the cool breeze ruffling our hair.

"So..." I started, feeling a little shy. "I'm really glad we ended up here today."

Connor smiled, eyes softening. "Me too. It's been... a good summer so far."

I looked down at my hands, then back up at him. "You know, I was nervous about all this at first. About texting you, meeting everyone, all of it."

Connor shrugged. "Same. But I'm glad you gave it a chance."

Our hands brushed, and I felt this spark shoot through me.

Just then, Yumi's voice broke through. "Hey lovebirds! You coming or what? We're heading to grab some ice cream!"

Connor laughed, breaking the moment. "Race you back."

I jumped up, laughing too. "You're on."

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we were all just chilling near the ice cream stand after our long day. Connor and I had both grabbed mint chocolate chip, his absolute fave and I was feeling pretty good about it until Laura suddenly decided she wanted a taste.

"I've never tried mint chocolate chip before," she said, flashing that smile that was way too knowing. "Connor, can I try yours?"

He, being the chill guy he is, just held out his cone like, "Sure, why not?" And just like that, Laura leaned in and was about to take a careful lick.

I froze. For a split second, my brain went blank. Seeing Laura that close to Connor, my Connor. Felt like a punch to the gut.

But then I caught myself.

I wasn't about to just stand there and watch.

I held out my cone, the same mint chocolate chip flavor, right in front of her and said, "Wait, try mine instead."

Connor looked at me like I'd suddenly grown three heads. Laura blinked, confused for a moment, but then she smirked.

"Oh, is this a competition now?" she teased, ignoring the fact that I was clearly trying to stake my claim. "Because I'm not backing off just 'cause you're jealous."

Jealous? Yeah, maybe I was. But I wasn't about to admit that out loud.

I shot her a glare that was way more serious than I intended. "I'm not jealous. Just saying, my ice cream's better."

She laughed, brushing it off like it was all a game. Then she took a big bite from my cone and leaned back with that smug grin of hers.

Connor just watched the whole thing, a little amused but also kind of distracted. I could tell he noticed the tension probably felt it but didn't say anything.

I felt Yumi's elbow nudge my side. She whispered, "Girl, she can't take a hint if it hits her in the face."

"I know," I muttered, biting my lip so I wouldn't say something dumb.

Laura turned her head toward Connor again, like she wasn't done. "You know, you should let me show you what else I'm good at," she said with this teasing smile, clearly trying to get his attention.

Connor gave me this quick glance like, "Can you believe this?" but still didn't cut it off.

I wanted to say something, but the words stuck.

Instead, I just slowly turned back to my ice cream, trying to keep it together.

But inside, I was boiling.

I couldn't let Laura just keep pushing like this.

I looked up again, catching her eyes, and said as casually as I could, "You know, Connor and I kind of have this thing."

Laura blinked like she didn't quite get it.

"A thing," I repeated, more firmly this time. "We're... close. So maybe back off a little?"

For a second, Laura just stared, like she was trying to figure out if I was serious or joking.

Then she smiled but not the friendly kind.

The kind that said, "Challenge accepted."

"Oh and Y/N," she said softly, "I'm not going anywhere. You might wanna get used to it."

I swallowed hard.

That was not the response I wanted.

Connor caught my eye and gave me a reassuring smile, squeezing my hand lightly under the table.

And even though Laura was still right there, clearly not ready to give up, I felt a little better.

Because Connor was with me.