Kennedy snorts. “Too busy reading smut, huh?”
Finley crosses her arms. “There’s nothing wrong with smut.”
Kennedy flips the book over, her gaze tracing the description on the back cover again. “Trust me, Iknow. Just didn’t realize this little firestarter did.”
“Little firestarter?” Finley looks to me to explain.
I shake my head, hating that she’s about to hear about how Iaman idiot when I’m trying so desperately to look good to her. “It wasonetime—”
“One time?That’syour defense, Briggsy?”
I usually don’t mind Kennedy’s teasing, but tonight, it’s forcing an embarrassed flush into my cheeks.
“And you wonder why I’m staying here,” I say.
Under her breath, Kennedy mutters something that sounds suspiciously likeSure, that’s the reason. I hope Finley didn’t hear her.
Although maybe I should embarrass myself thoroughly in front of her. She should see me as I am before I get attached. My plan to show Finley how to have fun is going down as one of the worst ideas. If she sees it through with me, I’m the one at risk of getting hurt.
She’s beautiful and smart. Athletic, accomplished. And that’s only her surface. More time spent with Finley will lead to more incredible discoveries about her. While she’ll learn there’s not much more to me than a high hockey IQ.
Kennedy tugs me to her side and musses my hair. “Aw, Briggsy, you know I’m kidding. You’re the best platonic roommate I’ve ever had.”
I look down at her. “Out of how many?”
“Well, there’s—”
I interrupt Kennedy when I spot Finley leaving. “Where’re you off to?”
Finley freezes like a deer caught in headlights. “Oh… um. I have homework to catch up on. I didn’t mean to fall asleep.”
“Afternoon naps are the best, huh?” I ask.
Her lips tip into a half smile. “They have some appeal.”
I smile back, suddenly at a loss for words. How does she keep doing this to me?
Finley points over her shoulder, her golden blond hair swaying with the movement. “I should get to it.”
“Right, okay. I’ll see you later?”
“Uh-huh,” she murmurs. “Good to see you, Kennedy.”
Kennedy’s biting her lip, holding in a smile. “You too, Finley.” She waits until the sound of Finley’s feet is gone before smacking me in the arm. “Dude.” She extends the word for an absurdly long time. “You need to knock it off before Matt kicks your ass.”
I head to the kitchen, putting space between us and giving me time to shake off her unsettling words. I keep my back to Kennedy as I snag a soda from the fridge. I know I can’t say these words with a straight face. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“Uh-huh.”
I spin around, flicking the tab of the can open. “We’refriends. Matt can’t tell us not to be friends.”
Kennedy lifts her hands in surrender. “If you say so.”
If I had any say-so, Finley Harris and I wouldnotbe friends. I would’ve taken the seat beside her and burrowed her into my side. Leaned my head on her shoulder as she read to me, and when it got to one of the sexy parts, my hand would’ve found its way to the waistband of her pants.
I’d do anything she asked me to do.
But no one needs to worry about a romantic relationship between Finley and me. She chose to leave after giving me the hottest sexual experience of my life. That memory is all I’ll ever have of her, and I’m making peace with it.
