6. Sophia
Chapter 6
Sophia
“Oh my gosh, Charlie! He was so cute!” I try my hardest to keep my voice low. I don’t want Colt to overhear me and tease me about Pecker.
“What does he look like?”
“He has this perfectly chiseled jaw. It looks like something out of a Disney movie. He has these light blue eyes that just sparkle and the most adorable smile in the world. His dark brown hair is just long enough on top to look messy and is shorter on the sides.”
“Why does it sound like you’re describing me?” Wyatt pushes his face into the screen and grins.
“I would never call you cute. You’re like an annoying older brother.” I roll my eyes.
“You know, that’s the issue with growing up next door to you. You’ve always viewed me as part of your family so when I actually became part of the family, it wasn’t special.” He sticks out his bottom lip in a pout.
“Oh, shush!” I wave my hand in his direction.
“See! And she’s so rude to me. We never got to have that friendly brother-in-law, sister-in-law period. There was no honeymoon phase for us.”
“Ew! Don’t use ‘honeymoon phase’ in a sentence when you’re talking about you and me.” I grimace at the thought.
“You love me and you know it. Who else introduces you to attractive professional sports players?”
“Umm, Cody and Jax? Duh. Plus, hockey guys are better than baseball guys. Their asses are amazing.” I fan myself, just to piss him off. “And have you seen the stretches they do on the ice? It’s basically an audition to show everyone how great they are in bed.”
“On that note, I'm going to drink myself to sleep and make sure Charlie never goes to another hockey game. Love you, Soph.”
“Love you, Wyatt.” I blow him a kiss and wave.
Wyatt and I have had an interesting relationship over the years. He’s right, he’s always been like a brother to me, but after him and Charlie broke up, I hated him. It took a long time for us to get back on good terms and I regret how horribly I treated him, but he doesn’t hold grudges. He completely understands why I behaved the way I did and he still loves me.
I'm thankful Charlie and Wyatt finally figured things out and got back together. I don’t think there’s another man in this world who could be more perfect for my sister than him.
“So, how’s Leslie doing?” Charlie asks softly.
I'm about to respond to her when a notification pops up at the top of my screen.
Brad Pecker has requested to be friends with you.
“Oh my gosh!” I squeal. “He just friend requested me!”
“Really? Go accept it so I can see a picture of him!”
I maneuver through my phone until I get to the correct app. As soon as the request shows, I’m clicking accept and scroll through his photos.
“Holy crap,” I breathe as I get to a bunch of photos from this summer.
“What? I want to see!”
“Hold on, let me get my laptop.”
It takes a minute for the device to power up, then I open my social media on there and pull up the photo I was just drooling over. After it’s ready, I switch my camera around so Charlie can see what I'm looking at.
“Dang. He really does kinda look like Wyatt.”
Wyatt pops back into the screen and his face closes in as he squints at the image of Pecker.
“I have a better butt and thighs.”
“I wasn’t looking at his butt and thighs.” Charlie rolls her eyes. “He looks like he could be related to you.”
“He is quite handsome.” Wyatt smirks.
“Oh! Look at him with his niece. He’s so adorable with her,” I gush as I move on to a different photo.
“He looks like such a sweetheart. I wish I was there so I could meet him too. What does Leslie say?”
“I'm kind of keeping my distance from her right now,” I confess. “She’s really upset and worried about Jimmy. I don’t want to bring boy drama into her life and Colt would tease me relentlessly if he found out I was interested in Pecker. It’s better to act indifferent about him.”
“You’re going to break that boy’s heart,” Wyatt singsongs.
“Yeah, but is there any point of even trying to start a relationship? I live eight hours away. It doesn’t matter if I like him.”
“Your father would kill me if he heard these words come out of my mouth,” Wyatt sighs and grips the back of his neck like he’s unsure if he should say them at all.
“What? You can’t get nervous now! Spill it!”
“Just because you live eight hours away, doesn’t mean you need to keep living eight hours away. You could move. You do all of your classes online anyway. I'm not saying you should pick up and move, but you’ll be in Maple Springs for a few weeks. Give yourself time to get to know the guy. If you like him, maybe extend your stay and see what happens. I'm sure Leslie would love to have some family around a little longer.”
“That’s… actually not a bad idea.” Charlie nods. “Dad would hate it, but you never know what could happen.”
“Now, it’s time for this lady to get to bed. The baby is tiring her out, even if she won’t admit it.” Wyatt kisses Charlie’s cheek. “Let me know when you have more boy drama for me. I kind of miss this when you’re not home.”
“Did you just admit you like hearing about my drama?” I fake gasp and cover my mouth with my hand.
“Yeah, I kind of do. I have zero drama in my life and while I love that, I like getting my drama fill from your life.” He chuckles.
“Night, Sophia.” Charlie waves.
“Night, guys.”
After a few more minutes of stalking Pecker on social media, I shut down my computer and get changed for bed. I'm just finishing up brushing my teeth when my phone pings with a text.
Once I climb into bed, I pick up my phone and check the message.
Unknown: January 3 rd .
I stare at the message with a frown. Why is someone sending me a random date? I'm just about to answer them and ask who it is, when I remember I gave Pecker my number.
Jumping out of bed, I grab my jacket and fish out the business card he gave me. I compare the numbers and smile when I realize it’s him. After adding his contact information, I return to the text to find he sent another one.
Pecker: 263 Spruce Road.
Sophia: What’s with the random date and address?
Pecker: I wanted to make sure your contact information was complete. You needed my address and birthday.
I grin as I add the information to his contact. He’s such a goofball and I love it.
Pecker: This is when you’re supposed to give me your address and birthday.
Sophia: My daddy always told me not to give strangers my address. Stranger danger and all that.
Pecker: Smart man. Though I don’t think I'm a stranger anymore. We shared a meal.
Sophia: And you kissed my cheek.
Pecker: We’re practically dating.
Sophia: January 8 th .
Pecker: You’re going to make me work for the address, huh?
Sophia: I need something to make you stick around and keep texting me.
Pecker: I don’t think you need to worry about that. I like talking to you.
Sophia: Good. I like talking to you too.
Pecker: Thanks for accepting my friend request. I wasn’t sure if you would. Stranger danger and all that.
I bark out a laugh before slapping a hand over my mouth. I could get way too used to talking to someone like Pecker.
I think I was right earlier. He’s normally calm and confident with women, but I make him nervous.
Sophia: You’re welcome. I decided it’s no longer a potential.
Pecker: Potential? What are you talking about?
Sophia: Well, I scrolled through your photos and found some shots of you at the beach. I no longer have to say you’re potentially hot.
Pecker: Ahh. Are you going to share the verdict with me?
Sophia: Not yet.
Pecker: You’re wounding my confidence, woman.
Sophia: I’m sure you’ll survive.
Pecker: Why won’t you tell me?
Sophia: Doesn’t the mystery make this more exciting?
Pecker: This? What is this?
Sophia: I guess that’s another mystery too.
“Hello?” I pin the phone between my ear and my shoulder as I rifle through my bag, looking for my sweatshirt.
“Hey, what are you up to?” Colt asks.
“I'm eating bonbons and painting my nails,” I mumble, barely even paying attention to him.
“When Pecker texts you, can you say yes?”
“What am I saying yes to?” I tug a cute shirt out and lay it on my bed.
“Going on a date with him.”
“And why am I saying yes?” I shake my head at the first pair of jeans I pull out and toss them into the dresser drawer.
“Because I want to take Leslie out on a date and I know she won’t go if she thinks you’re going to be home alone. Please, Soph.” The pleading in his voice makes me take pity on him.
Colt’s such a nice guy. I’m not trying to stand in the way of him and Leslie going out. I’d happily stay home and binge watch some TV. I don’t know why she feels the need for me to be included in everything.
“Yeah, I can do that,” I mutter as I reach for another outfit.
“You’re the best and I owe you! Thanks, Soph.”
“Of course. But you better keep making me coffee every morning.”
“That I can do.”
“With hazelnut creamer,” I add.
“Yes, ma’am.”
Colt thanks me three more times before he ends the call. I don’t even get to finish unpacking when I get a text from Pecker.
Pecker: I hear you’re free for dinner tonight. Any requests?
Sophia: A handsome man.
Pecker: I can potentially do that, but I'm not really sure. I haven’t heard the verdict yet.
Sophia: Impress me tonight, Romeo.