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“Everything okay?” I ask, then take a sip of my beer. “Liam’s playing your favorite game.”
She nods without looking at me, putting a brick wall between us, one so tall, there’s no way I’m getting over it.
“Are you sure?” I ask again, just as Serena walks up and loops her arm through mine.
“Wanna play after them? See if I can beat you for once?” She shoots me a wink.
Sophie continues to sit with her jaw locked and her gaze on everything but me , and I don’t know why she’s being like this. Serena is a close friend, always has been. Plus, Sophie knows our history.
“Just a minute,” I tell Serena, loosening my arm from her grip, and she glances at Sophie, finally noticing how pissed she is.
“Okay. I’ll be right over there,” she sheepishly says and leaves us be.
“Go ahead.” Sophie tilts her head toward Liam, Maddie, and Serena.
I suck in a deep breath, wishing she wasn’t acting like this, wishing she knew she had nothing in the damn world to worry about. “Soph.”
“I’m about to go home,” she says matter-of-factly, pushing her still full martini away. She looks at me, grabs her clutch, and goes to Maddie to say she’s leaving. Maddie volunteers Liam to take her home since they’re not done with their game. Seconds later, Sophie’s walking out of the door with keys in her hands and no goodbye.
Liam immediately turns and looks at me. “What the hell did you do?”
“I think I’m gonna head out too,” Serena interrupts before I can respond. “Call me so we can talk later, okay?”
I give her a nod and thank her for coming. Once she’s gone, I turn back to Liam. “I didn’t do shit,” I explain. “I tried talking to her, and she gave me the cold shoulder.”
Maddie grins at me the whole time.
“What?” I finally say, giving her the attention she craves.
“Sophie was pissed.”
“Thanks, Captain Obvious. Gonna tell me why now?” I wait for her to answer, and all she does is laugh.
After crossing my arms and glowering at her, she continues, “If you haven’t figured it out yet, you’re stupider than I thought.” She turns with the cue stick in her hand, then leans over and hits a solid into a side pocket. I don’t wait around for her to start talking shit like usual before I head out too.
By the time I make it home, I’ve had too much time to think about tonight. The attitude, the annoyance, the dirty looks Sophie threw Serena’s way—there’s no reason for any of it, and by Hunter’s and Liam’s remarks, I know I wasn’t imagining things.
When I walk inside, Sophie’s sitting on the couch, already changed into different clothes. She doesn’t look at me and focuses all of her attention on the TV.
“What’s your problem?” I ask. Crossing my arms over my chest, I stand at the end of the couch.
She turns and looks at me, then shrugs. “Not sure what you’re talking about.”
“Not sure? You’re not sure?” I goad.
She narrows her eyes at me, her face expressionless as she speaks firmly. “Please tell me you’re not that dense, Mason.”
If looks could kill, I’d be dead right now.
“Enlighten me then,” I quip, lifting my arms, then letting them smack against my sides.
“Serena. Why did you invite her to something I arranged for you tonight?”
The question somewhat shocks me.
“Because she’s my friend. She’s done a lot for me over the years, and when she asked about my plans tonight, I thought she’d want to celebrate my promotion too. She’s like an annoying big sister.” Which is the truth. She’s always looked out for me and has never given me any indication of wanting more.
Nevertheless, I notice she’s growing more frustrated with me. “Never mind,” she snaps, turning off the TV and walking to her room, then slamming the door shut. Refusing to make it that easy for her to drop this, I follow and walk inside her room.
“We’re having this conversation right now.” By the look on her face, she knows she can’t escape me.
“Fine,” she says, sighing. “I see the way she looks at you, Mason. I see the way she touches you, flirts with you, how her eyes shine when you give her the tiniest bit of attention,” she explains with disgust in her tone.
“That’s not true,” I argue.
“Really?” Sophie tilts her head at me. “She leans into you when you talk to her. I watched her touch your arm. We’re in limbo, so it’s not like it matters anyway. I’m not sure why I’m even upset. If you want to be with her, you should be. You two would probably make a better couple anyway, considering you have so much in common. Not to mention she’d at least put out for you.”
“Jesus, Soph.” I take a step toward her, feeling like she just slapped me across the face. “It’s not like that. Serena is just a flirty person and has always been that way. You’re looking for something that’s not there, and I don’t know why.”
