End Game_Bellevue Bullies Series Read online

  She waves Sofia off before wrapping an arm around her. “Grace.”

  They share a heartfelt smile. “You should come to dinner at the end of the month. I think Elli is making her famous chicken.”

  Amelia groans loudly. “Sofia, have you had fried chicken?”

  “Yeah…”

  “Southern fried?”

  “Is there a difference?”

  We all answer, “Yes.”

  Her face lights up as she laughs, her eyes falling to mine. “Then I guess I’ll have to come.”

  Yes, you will, I say in my head, but my lips just curve. I know my aunt and uncle will love her.

  “Yes! Shelli will be there, Mom. Did you know she dyed her hair?”

  I whip my head around to my sister. “Dyed it?”

  “Yeah, for the play she’s in. She went blond, like bright blond. She told me it took over three hours to get her hair that light. She looks so weird!”

  Mom nods, and while I don’t know jack shit about hair, I know my cousin has been a brunette her whole life. I’m really unsure that she can pull off blond.

  Mom agrees with me. “I don’t like it. But you know, she’s living her dreams.”

  “Crazy,” I say, and I wonder how I missed that. I follow her on Snapchat, but then, I haven’t really been checking that. I’ve been a little preoccupied with my phone ever since Sofia finally decided to text me. She told me it was weird at first, but now, we do it all the time. I don’t pay a lick of attention in my boring classes; I’m too busy sending her little emojis and funny memes. She’s more responsible and pays attention in class, but that doesn’t stop her from sharing her day with me when she has time. She’s busy, but so am I. Yet we make time to chat. Now, if I can get her alone, I’d say things are going pretty damn good for us.

  Mom wraps her arms around Sofia and then Amelia, and she hugs them tightly. “You two did amazing tonight. You can work whenever you like.”

  “Can we this weekend? We get back from the meet Friday night. Late, but we can be up that morning, can’t we, Am?”

  Amelia nods eagerly. “Yeah, of course.”

  Mom looks between the two of them. “Well, if y’all don’t think you’ll be too tired, then yes, I actually have events all weekend.”

  “Can you put us down?” Sofia asks with a sweet grin on her face.

  I try not to be jealous. I want to spend time with her, but I know she wants to work. I get it, but still, I’m a little put out. She isn’t even your girlfriend, I remind myself, and I know that. Even if she were, I would never ask her to spend time with me instead of doing what she needs to get her mom here. I’m not that guy. But in my head, I’ll complain and be a baby about it. I just want to spend time with her. See her. Touch her. Kiss that sweet mouth of hers and then some. I’m so ready to get closer, but I refuse to rush this and scare her away. I mean, we went from her basically telling me to fuck off to getting sweet kisses here and there. I need to be patient, but man, I want her.

  “Of course!”

  They beam up at my mom, and Sofia’s grin hits me square in the chest. Damn, she’s so pretty. Her hair is up in that bun she is obsessed with, and she’s wearing a white button-up and black slacks. Unlike my sister, who is wearing pumps like a nut, Sofia picked some black Nikes, looking adorably practical. Though, I think I’m pretty much so infatuated with her that she could wear sweats with her hair in a bird’s nest, and I’d still think she is the most beautiful girl sent from heaven.

  Just for me.

  When Mom turns to me, she kisses my cheek. “I love you, Ryan.”

  I wrap my arms around her neck. “Love you, Mom.”

  “Thank you for bringing them in and waiting.”

  Amelia and Sofia look up at me, and I shrug, cutting my eyes to Sofia’s. “It’s cool. Gave me a reason to spend time with them.”

  “He means her,” Amelia says, hooking a thumb to Sofia.

  Sofia’s face fills with color. “Really?”

  Mom grins. “Oh, things going well?” she asks me.

  I glance back to Sofia, whose cheeks are bright red, her eyes wide. With a grin, I say, “I’d say so.”

  Mom turns to Sofia. “And you said you weren’t interested! Do you see this face? He is adorable!”

  When she grabs my face, squeezing it to make my lips purse, I somehow get out, “Mom!”

  Amelia is cackling like a witch, but Sofia looks like she’s two seconds from finding an exit. “I hate you both.”

  I laugh along with everyone as I drink her in. She’s so pretty when she’s embarrassed. The way her cheeks turn bright red and she presses her lips together is damn near irresistible. She doesn’t hate me one bit, and I know it.

  And I sure don’t hate her.

  After saying bye to my mom, we pile into my truck and head back to campus. Amelia is talking animatedly about whatever it is that is exciting her at the moment, but I pay her no mind. Sofia took her shoes off, and now her feet are on the dash of my truck, making me feel like we’re in a country song. Her little teal and black painted nails are driving me wild. My hand is in hers, and her fingers lace with mine so naturally. It’s a simple touch that leaves me breathless. I have had the hottest sex ever with plenty of girls, but none of that made me feel the way Sofia’s hand makes me feel. It’s weird, almost private. I think it’s because she’s somewhat shy, which is crazy since I’ve watched her dance like no one is watching at a meet. She’s shy around me, and I like that. I like that I make her feel like this, ’cause she makes me feel the same.

  As I glance over at her, she leans her head back, her gaze meeting mine, and her lips turn up. Fuck, I can’t get enough of her. I feel like I’m in a little over my head. I was so set on just having fun this year, concentrating on school and hockey, but then this girl flipped into my life, and I sure as hell don’t know what I’m supposed to do with these feelings. It’s crazy how fast things change. How one person can just change it. But I’m also terrified. What if she’s just in this for fun? She resisted me like crazy; that has to mean something.

  I don’t want to accept that.

  Taking a deep breath, I ask, “Did you have fun tonight?”

  She sighs. “I’m unsure how my mom does three jobs, but I have a new respect for her, for sure.”

  I nod. “Working sucks sometimes.”

  “I think everyone at the party was an alcoholic.”

  Amelia giggles. “Table three was.”

  We all laugh together as I get off the highway. “How was that computer science test today?”

  Sofia groans beside me, leaning her head on my shoulder. “Well, I didn’t bomb it, but I worked for that B like no other. I stayed up all night last night studying. I’m beat.” She sends me a tired grin. “But your notes helped so much.”

  “Yeah, if she can read your handwriting. Jeez, Ryan, did you forget there are supposed to be spaces between letters?” Amelia teases, and I glare back at her.

  “No, but I’m about to forget how to drive you home.”

  She sticks her tongue out at me while Sofia chuckles. I chance a peek at Sofia, and she’s watching me. A little grin tugs her lips up, and I feel good.

  “If you need some extra help, I aced that class.”

  “Oh yes, please. I hate not getting an A.”

  “Yeah, no problem. I’ll even buy you a cup of coffee.”

  She leans into me, fluttering her lashes at me. “And a Danish?”

  I shake my head. “Well, yeah, but I’m eating half.”

  She beams up at me. “Or you can get your own?”

  Laughter fills the car as we arrive at their dorm. Parking, I turn off the truck and start to get out.

  Sofia stops me. “You don’t have to walk us in. We’re together. We’ll be fine.”

  “I want to.”

  She wants to fight me, but then her lips are turning up in a sneaky grin. “You just want a kiss good night,” she accuses, sending a grin at Amelia, but she’s already out of the truck.