Chapter 26
CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX
Sophie
“Oh my God.” I laugh, bending over at the waist. “I am so bad at this,” I confess.
“You should probably move,” Jillian hollers out to the guys. “Unless you all enjoy being hit with beanbags.”
Playing cornhole was never really my thing, I liked to watch instead. I am not athletic, unless reading could be a sport. I prefer to be quietly observing on the sidelines.
But get a few drinks in me and I let the girls convince me it’s a good idea.
So far I’ve hit Bennett in the back of the head, Marshall in his groin, and Aaron in the face.
Oh and Brantley in the center of his back, the angry scowl he shot at me would have been intimidating if I hadn’t been seeing double at this point.
Oh and the fact that I know he is nothing but a big bear.
“In all fairness, I did warn you all,” I add through the laughter as tears roll down my face. “It’s why I never played sports, I have terrible aim.”
“Just visualize the hole,” Lexi says and I can’t help it, I lose it all over again.
“Are you serious right now, what are you a fourteen-year-old boy?” She throws her hands up in the air and I fall to the ground laughing.
I’m not the only one as Adley and Kendall try their best to hide their laughter.
“I am surrounded by perverts,” she mothers us only making it harder for them to hold back.
Glancing toward the guys I see Finn watching me with a smile on his face. I return his smile and stand once more, holding the beanbag in my hand. Suddenly all the guys scramble and that is all it takes. I let go and for the first time all night I come within a foot of the cornhole board.
With a shrug I walk off acting as if I just won the game.
When I abandon the game so does everyone else and we join the guys by the fire. Grabbing chairs I walk past Finn and he grabs the leg of my chair, halting me. I glance back and he arches his brow.
“Where you going?”
“Over there.” I point to where Jillian and Kendall are sitting and Finn shakes his head. I am feeling a little sassy so I test him, finding humor in how controlled he is.
He doesn’t say much, but what he does say has an impact, and the eyes. He truly says so much with just his eyes, so many feelings hidden in one stare.
“Um, yes,” I add and again he shakes his head. Giving the chair a tug, he pulls me in next to him and lifts his other hand, unfolding the chair. Placing it at his side, he holds my stare and I notice the way my heart rate speeds up.
“Too far away,” he says in explanation and I forget that we are not the only two people here. “You can sit on my lap instead if you’d like.”
“Are you being serious right now?”
“Very serious,” he adds with a smile and I know already he is going to win. So I give in and flop down at his side. When I face everyone else Sutton is grinning from ear to ear.
“It was the smile, wasn’t it?” She has one just like him, so she knows the struggle.
“It was the smile,” I agree with a laugh and chance a glance at Finn.
Of course he too is grinning like he’s just won some battle I didn’t even know we were having.
Then he does something I don’t expect him to do, he places his hand on my thigh and leaves it there as he carries on with the guys like it’s a gesture he’s made a million times.
I can feel eyes on me and I know the girls are all watching and waiting for my reaction.
I’m first to admit I’ve never been with a guy that shows me attention in public.
I’ve never had a guy that made sure when we were out together everyone knew we were together.
This is all still so new to me and it will take some getting used to.
“Jillian,” I say, pointing toward Finn who is currently holding me keeping me from climbing into the car. “Will you tell him you are completely sober.”
“All I’ve had is water.” She holds up the bottle. “Have an early breakfast with my parents tomorrow so I’m the DD tonight.”
Finn pulls me closer and he steps toward me, wrapping his arm around my waist.
“See,” I say with a shrug. “Completely fine to drive.”
“Are we still on for tomorrow?”
“Dinner,” I nod, “and a movie.” I say each word with a nod which makes him laugh.
He cups the side of my face to keep me from nodding and his thumb drags along my lower lip, making me instantly pause. He is looking at my mouth and I watch him, waiting for his next move. It is almost like he is lost in thought.
“I should really let Jillian get home,” I tell him. “She has to get up a lot earlier than I do.”
“Okay.” He finally comes out of his daze. Then he steps back and drops his hand to his side. Disappointment hits me when I realize he isn’t going to kiss me goodbye. I don’t miss the way the corner of mouth tips up when he notices my reaction.
Instead he opens the car door and holds my hand as I climb inside.
“You ladies be careful,” he says, looking past me toward Jillian.
“You got it.” She starts her car and I turn back to look at him, finding he is still so close.
He leans in and kisses the corner of my mouth. “Bye,” he whispers before finally stepping back and closing my door.
“That smile of his,” Jillian says at my side. “I completely see it now.”
“See what?” I ask, not taking my eyes from his.
“Why it was so hard to fake the faking. I mean come on, the eyes alone are enough, but toss in that smile and a side of cockiness, and Finn boy has a way about him that would make it hard for any girl out there to pretend not to be attracted.”
As she backs out of the driveway I watch him until I can’t see him anymore and maybe it was the alcohol or the fact that this was Jillian and I knew no matter what my secrets were safe, but I confess something I have never said out loud.
“I should have known from the start it would be a disaster with Finn. Because you can’t pretend with a guy that you’ve secretly had a crush on from day one.”
“Or one that even though you have a sober friend driving you home still follows to make sure that you make it safely.”
“What?” I ask, looking over at her to see that she is looking in her rearview mirror with a smile on her face. Spinning around I look behind us and sure enough, creeping behind us down the dark country road is none other than Finn.
“It’s incredibly adorable if you ask me,” she adds with a smile.
Fifteen minutes later we are pulling into our parking space and Finn is close behind.
“Go ahead and go inside, I’ll be right in.” I don’t want for her to respond, instead I climb out and start walking across the parking lot. Pausing outside his door, he clicks the locks and I open up the door.
Stepping up on the running board I crawl in and straddle his lap, surprising him.
“You, Finn Armstrong, continue to surprise me,” I confess, softly kissing his lips.
“Wanted to make sure you made it home okay.”
“Is that all?”
“Until now.” He pulls me closer, gripping my hips tightly.
“And now?” It’s already been established that alcohol gives me courage.
“Now I’m gonna kiss you,” he says, tugging on my lip with his teeth making me moan. “That’s a sexy sound,” he whispers. “I should get you inside, Soph,” he tells me and I shift on his lap triggering a growl to escape from his lips.
“I don’t want to go inside yet,” I confess.
His big strong hand cups my ass, and he shifts me forward on his lap once more only this time he lifts up, creating the friction I need.
My hands go to his hair and I tug on the ends.
“Sophie,” he whispers my name and it comes out much deeper than before, hoarse even. “The idea was to get you inside safely.” He kisses me again, exploring my mouth with his tongue, teasing me a little more. “Babe, let me get you inside.”
“You could come in with me,” brazen and full of want I try to tempt him.
“I could.” Excitement raises through me. “But not like this, not when you’ve been drinking.”
I pout and he chuckles. “We’ll see if tomorrow you feel the same way. If you do, we’ll pick this back up.”
“Promise?”
“I promise.” He cups the back of my head and kisses me one more time before lifting me up and off his lap. “Come on my sexy little kitten.” My cheeks heat as he climbs out and pulls me out behind him, setting my feet on the ground. “Time to get you in bed.”