Page 22 of Falling for Him
“What the fuck?” I mumble, not expecting anyone to respond.
“Who knew.” I look over to find Aaron chuckling at my side. “Sophie’s always so quiet, but get some tequila in her and she becomes a clone of Kelsea Ballerini.”
“When?” I take a swing of my beer. “Who, what?” I wasn’t sure what to say or who the hell to say it to.
“Sutton said she’s heard her sing when she’s cleaning, or if there is a song she likes on the radio. But this,” he points toward the stage, “this is new.”
Everyone stands around cheering and in awe. I’m not kidding when I say, she’s good. The perfect melody, she is on point. With her eyes closed, like she is lost in her own little world, she sings along, moving to the music.
Rory is up at her side, lightly singing along with her. I am blown away.
Suddenly I am shoved aside as someone pushes past me and I catch a glimpse of red hair flowing behind a very determined woman.
Adley pauses at the bar, holds up two fingers and the bartender gets to work.
I consider letting her deal with her shit all alone, but it’s not in my nature. So instead I step back, weaving once again through the crazy crowd, leaving the sound of Sophie’s perfect voice echoing behind me.
I move into Adley’s side just as the bartender sets down two small glasses of dark liquid before her.
“Going for the whiskey are we?”
“Yep,” she says, lifting one and taking a hefty swig. Not even flinching she stares ahead with an unreadable look on her face.
“Anything I can help with?”
“Nope,” she continues with her one word answers and I fight the urge to laugh.
Adley is a tough cookie, to most anyway. She puts off like she is unaffected. She’s got a shitty father, so that’s a heavy issue she chooses to completely ignore. She always feels the need to run head to head with any man, which at times can be intimidating. Adley was drug through a nasty divorce with her parents for years. She was stuck in the middle of a lot of shit a child should never have to witness. She uses sarcasm to hide a lot of heartache.
My honest opinion is that she has little faith in men.
“You do know I’m not going to leave you alone to sulk. I’m just going to keep digging and poking until you tell me what’s got you in a mood.”
Just then the crowd erupts and both Adley and I look toward the stage to see Rory hug Sophie, lifting her up off the ground and swinging her around. It’s all in good fun, I know this.
“A sweet little duo don’t you think,” Adley adds with a laugh and I sense her irritation.
“I had no idea Sophie could sing like that.” I ignore the sarcasm and try a different route.
Instead Adley lifts her second glass and drains half the contents.
“I need to get out of here.” She turns and I hook her waist and pull her back.
“Oh no you don’t.”
“I’m not an idiot, Bennett.” She shoves at my hands. “I’ll call an Uber.”
“What’s the rush?”
“Maybe I don’t want to sit here and listen to Faith and Tim up there singing in perfect harmony together.” I stare at her and notice the way her nostrils flare.
“When you gonna admit you feel something for Rory?”
“The only thing I feel for him is irritation,” she insists and this time I do laugh.
“Maybe right now you do, because you got some crazy notion in your mind that something is going on with Soph and him, but I think we both know that’s not true. You do not wear jealousy well, Adley Jean.”
“Stop saying my middle name like you are scolding me.” She shoves at my chest. “And I’m not jealous. Why would I be?”
