“You’re right. It’s just hard, you know? Knowing I’m a disappointment in my father’s eyes never gets easier.”
“Well,I’mnot disappointed.” She throws an arm around my shoulder, planting a kiss on my cheek. “I got my bestie back!” she beams.
Sofia and I have known each other since we were in kindergarten. We met on our very first day and we’ve been inseparable ever since. Sometimes I have to wonder why we’re even friends. We’re complete polar opposites. Where I’m a thoroughbred introvert, Sofia is a wild child, the life and soul of any party and the girl who lights up a room with her carefree nature and adventurous spirit. In some ways I envy her.
“What will you do now?” she asks.
“I have no idea, but I need to find a job. I can’t stand the thought of spending any more time in that house than I need to. My mom barely acknowledges me and when my father does, it’s always something negative.”
“Fuck that! Stay with me. You’re welcome to stay anytime you need, you know that,” she offers.
“And listen to you getting railed by your boyfriend every night? Thanks, but I’ll pass.”
Her lips twist. “Good point.” She leans in closer to my ear, “God, the things he can do with his—”
“La la la la la!” I slam my hands over my ears. “I donotneed to know this information!”
She throws her head back in laughter. “Who the hell else am I gonna tell? You’re my best friend which means you get front row seats toallthe dirty deets.”
“Aren’tIthe lucky one,” I deadpan.
“Well it’s more action than you’re getting! That’s mission number one now you’re back; finding you some good quality dick.”
“What’s the point when I can live vicariously through you?”
“Because you are too fucking gorgeous to remain a virgin, that’s why!”
“Broadcast it to the entire town, why don’t you?” I hiss. “My sexual inexperience will be hot gossip by dinnertime.”
“Guys eat that shit up, babe. Makes ‘em feel special to go where no man has gone before. And let’s face it, you have the best ass I’veeverseen and it’s going to waste because you won’t allow anyone to see it!” She spanks me on the behind and I squeal.
“I don’t need a boyfriend, Fi.”
“Who said anything about a boyfriend? You’re young, go out and experiment and get a feel for what gets your engine going.”
“Have you met me? Like, have we not been friends our whole lives? You know sleeping around is not for me.”
“Fine!Then find some super-hot guy your father’s going to hate and enjoy the ride.Literally. Have sex and have a little fun, god knows you deserve it.” She pulls me to a stop, spinning me to face her by my shoulders. “Kai, I love you. You’re like my sister. I just want to see you happy.”
Thing is, I’m notunhappy and I certainly don’t need a man to make me happy. What makes me happy right now is being with my best friend, the one person in my life who understands me, the one person I don’t have to be on my guard around and the walls I build around me can come down.
“I know, and I love you for it. But enough about me, how areyou? How’s things with the biker boyfriend?” I ask, subtly changing the subject.
“Ugh, amazing!” she gushes. “Mac is the sweetest. You know he sent me flowers the other day? Nobody’s ever sent me flowers before. He acts all tough in front of the guys but when he’s alone with me he’s a teddy bear.”
I haven’t had the pleasure of meeting Mac yet, given their relationship is still pretty new and from what she’s told me about him, he seems like a decent guy, for a biker that is.
“You’ll have to come out with me one night to one of Lawless’ get-togethers, I really want you to meet Mac. I’ve told him all about you.”
Lawless.
Hepops into my head and my heart jumps.
I won’t lie, the idea of coming face to face with my mysterious stranger again is tempting, but the prospect of having to spend an entire evening surrounded by a bunch of rowdy bikers, doesn’t fill me with a lot of excitement.
I nod along like I always do when she suggests dragging me out of my comfort zone, and as always, Sofia sees straight through me.
She loops her arm through mine and gives me the look. “Babe, you’ve gotta get out of this bubble of yours sooner or later.”
