Chapter 2
CHAPTER TWO
Sophie
My heart is racing. I know all eyes are on me and the silence of the room is deafening. I swear I hear my own blood swooshing in my ears, and my hands are trembling. I hate being on display.
Finn holds my stare and all I want to do is hide.
I’ve never understood him, he is always so quiet and mysterious, like a broody grump, lost in his own head.
Okay, so he intrigues me. I always find myself wondering what’s going on in his head.
He is a puzzle, and I love solving puzzles.
But dating? We can’t date, or pretend to date, whatever you want to refer to it as. We can’t do it!
“So we go out a few times, let people see us together, we go to the places that we know he’ll be.
It’s harmless.” Finn shrugs nonchalantly and I am still reeling from the bomb that’s been dropped at my feet.
“Hell most of the time we are in the same places anyway. A little hand holding, a hug, maybe a kiss or two.”
“No kissing,” I interrupt him and he chuckles.
This can’t be happening. I’m dreaming, or having a nightmare. That’s it, it’s like that horrific dream you have at least once of being naked in a room of people gawking and laughing.
“What’s wrong Soph, are you scared you’ll like it?” The corner of Finn’s mouth tips up in a smile. I think it’s the first actual time I’ve seen Finn smile. He is almost playful and it surprises me.
“No,” I challenge him crossing my arms over my chest, attempting confidence, but even I sense my hesitation. “Kissing is too intimate and shouldn’t be shared by two people that are pretending to date.”
“So are you agreeing to fake date me, Sophie?”
“I never said that.” I uncross my arms and fist my hands at my sides, trying my best to channel Kendall or even Adley’s attitude.
“You didn’t have to, I can see the wheels turning.”
I narrow my eyes at him.
“Friday night we’re all going to watch Rory play in Montgomery.” Finn nods as if it’s the solution to all this. “I say that should be our debut. I’ll pick you up at eight.” He spins around and starts to walk away.
“Wait, what?” I say and he doesn’t pause. He continues on leaving me feeling as if I’ve just encountered a hurricane.
“What in the hell just happened?” Sutton mumbles.
“I have no idea,” I say, watching as Finn disappears down the hallway once more.
Bennett and Marshall grab beers out of the refrigerator and walk in the same direction Finn did chuckling and shaking their heads. Obviously as surprised as the rest of us from the recent events.
“I think Sophie just got herself a date, with a real man.” Kendall laughs.
My mind is scrambled, my thoughts bouncing around in my head chasing each other, but nothing truly making an ounce of sense.
“In my opinion you should definitely let the kissing part happen,” Jillian, of all people, says and we all look at her. “What? I think Finn boy might be really good at kissing. He’s got that angry bad boy thing going on and those guys are always really good with their mouths.”
We all continue to stare at our girl, all thinking the same thing I am sure.
“I don’t know, know, but I’m guessing they do.” She shrugs and avoids our eyes.
“Would you like to share something with the class?” I ask her.
“Nope,” Jillian says, making a pop noise when she says the word.
“Someone has a secret,” Kendall states. “And we don’t like secrets, do we girls?”
I come to Jilly Bean’s rescue, knowing she’d do the same for me.
“Hello,” I say, waving my hands until everyone looks back at me. “Redirect your attention please. We are talking about me here and I need some help digging my way out of this mess.”
“Honey it’s not a mess and you don’t need help.
” Lexi laughs. “It seems Finn has it all worked out. I must add though that Finn is a hard man to figure out. With him and Bennett being best friends and hanging out all the time I am still trying to figure him out. But what I will say is this, he doesn’t do something he doesn’t want to.
He is determined, loyal, and kind. A little broody maybe, definitely has a dominant nature, but that could be fun.
” She shrugs and I know my eyes grow wide at the thought.
“I say if he threw his hat in the ring and is ready to help you get rid of Ryan for good, let him. Have a little fun while you are at it.”
“There will be no fun,” I clarify and none of them seem to believe me.
I get a few eye rolls and a few snickers and a wave off as Adley grabs the pitcher and pours us all another round of margaritas.
“I mean it,” I add more for myself because none of them seem to be listening to a single word I have to say.
“I’m serious you guys!” I feel like a toddler throwing a fit, the only thing I’m missing is a foot stomp.
And again I am left unheard.
There will be no fun. I repeat this phrase over and over in my mind.
Hell, I am not even sure there will be a date. Nothing about this plan seems like a good idea.
Nothing!