It was my turn to scoff. “Sweetie, you have made yourself out to be exactly what the boys described you to be. I wouldn’t make things worse. So, get the fuck out.”
She leered at everyone, noticing that not one person was arguing against my demand. With a huff, she grabbed her purse from the back of her chair and stomped towards the front door. She stopped in the doorway and shot one last glare at me.
“Say goodbye to your reputation, whore. I hope you choke on Alden’s tiny dick.” With that last classy remark, she left, slamming the front door behind her.
My heart still raced hard in my chest, my adrenaline on overdrive after what just happened. I was already angry when she started berating Alden, but to slap him? Hell no. She knew damn well he never would’ve hit her back because she was a woman.
As I took calming breaths, the pain of standing was finally registering. I felt my body begin to shake just before my legs gave out beneath me.
“Sophia!” Darren shouted, catching me in his arms before I hit the floor. He quickly lifted me up bridal style, making sure all the weight was off my legs.
Alden and Porter rushed around the table to check on me.
“I’m not gonna lie, that was hot as hell,” Porter exclaimed. “But don’t do that again. You could’ve hurt yourself.”
I shrugged. “She hit Alden. That was the final straw for me. I didn’t care what she called me but hitting him was bullshit.”
Alden laughed and gave my cheek a quick peck. “Thanks for defending my honor, but like he said, don’t do that again. She wasn’t worth you hurting yourself over.”
“Debatable. I thought it was very worth it.” I smirked at them.
The guys laughed and Darren hugged me tightly to him. “I’m sorry you had to deal with that. Odds are she’s going to start spreading rumors around town about you.”
“Let her. I’m a big girl and don’t care what people say. I know where we all stand and that’s all that matters,” I informed them. Though that was only partially true. I had no idea what was between me and them. I knew they were definitely my friends, but things with Darren and Porter both felt like more with all the touches and flirting.
Things were more complicated than friendship. At least in my eyes. I had no idea how they felt about all this.
“You sure you’re not worried?” Alden asked. “You’ve got a pinched expression right now.”
I quickly used my pain as the excuse. “Just hurting. I think I need to just go lie down.”
“Solid idea,” Darren agreed, walking me toward the stairs. The other two bid me goodnight and went about cleaning up the kitchen.
I knew there would probably be repercussions for what happened with Misty and the feelings I was beginning to have for the guys.
But for now, I just needed to rest and decompress. I’d revisit all the thoughts tomorrow.
Alden
Icouldn’t believe the events that happened at dinner. I was blown away by Misty’s worse than average behavior, though it didn’t come as too much of a shock. Yet, it was Sophia’s defense of me that had thrown me for the biggest loop.
The look of pure hatred she gave Misty after she hit me was an expression I didn’t know Sophia was even capable of. But she’d stood up to Misty like no one ever had, going as far as injuring herself to make her point crystal clear.
And damn if it hadn’t turned me on.
The ferocity in her voice; the power in her stance. She was a fucking warrior for doing what she did no matter what she’d gone through. And I admired the hell out of her for it.
It’d be a lie to sit here and say I hadn’t been feeling things for Sophia that I’d never felt for Misty. And I should probably be upset that the years I spent on and off with that woman were for nothing and had been a total waste of time.
But I wasn’t.
All I cared about was Sophia getting the rest she needed so she didn’t hurt herself more. In fact, I was grateful she saved me from such a toxic situation. I needed to do something to thank her for being there for me. But how could I show her my gratitude?
It took all night and very little sleep before an idea finally came to me.
When daylight broke, I hurried to get dressed for the day and made my way to Sophia’s room. Her soft snores and even breaths met my ears upon entering. She was beautiful even with her hair in a knotted mess splayed across her pillows. I smiled and approached the bed, kneeling next to it. Reaching over, I shook her shoulder gently, hoping to wake her without scaring her.
She took a deep breath and her eyes flicked open, looking around dreamily before finally finding me.
