Page 23 of Naive in Love

“It’s nothing. Something stupid that happened last weekend.” Lena returns to her stool, grinning guiltily.

We begin talking about plans for tomorrow when I hear a guy behind me say, “It’s about time you got here. What the hell took you so long?” His deep voice has a light, teasing quality to it.

“Shut the fuck up! You try and rush four damn girls when they’re getting ready.” Preston teases back. “Blame these beauties!”

I turn around to see the owner of the voice. It’s the guy I couldn’t get enough of last weekend. My face heats back up, and all I want is for the ground to open up and swallow me whole.

“This is my cousin Ethan. Ethan, meet Briana, Lena, Paige, and Sophia.” He points at each of us as he calls our name.

We all chime in our hellos. Ethan grabs a stool from the next table and pulls it up, sitting in between Paige and I.

“Which one of you is the birthday girl?” Ethan asks.

“That would be Sophia.” Preston informs him before I find my voice.

I smile shyly, nervously biting my bottom lip. I don’t want to say anything for fear of what will come out.

“Happy birthday,” he says as his eyes narrow. “You were here last weekend, weren’t you? I saw you playing pool.”

I nod my head, building the courage to say something to the gorgeous guy sitting so very close. “Yes, we enjoyed the show.” I continue biting on my bottom lip holding back any useless babble that may escape, but overjoyed he remembered me.

Paige jumps into the conversation leaning closely into him, one of her trademark flirting techniques. “We can’t wait to hear y’all play.”

I instantly get jealous of her ease with gorgeous guys and the beauty guys love.

“Hope we don’t disappoint.” He winks at her, smiling. It looks like I can disappear, as I just became invisible next to Paige.

Instant regret follows my thoughts. I have never been jealous of my friends, and here I am insecure and feeling resentful. This is not like me. But I would like to be the one who gets noticed. Not sure how long I can hide my emotions, I excuse myself to the restroom.

I hate myself for the feeling jealous. I was immediately drawn to my friends because of their charisma. In all our years of being friends, I saw guys throw themselves at Paige and Briana, and it never bothered me. I had my fun and enjoyed our social life. So why now? Especially with a guy I don’t even know.

I am in a stall, leaning against the door, thinking about how I wish Caleb was here. I was relieved earlier knowing he wasn’t coming, but now I miss him and his attention.

The door to the restroom opens, and Lena calls out, “Are you still in here?”

“Right here,” I say as I step out, not wanting to draw attention to my emotions.

“Wait for me,” she says as she walks into a stall.

On the way back, we stop at the bar to buy a round of shots. When we arrive back at the table, I hear Preston say, “Yeah, I think he’s a douche.”

“Who are you talking about?” Lena asks setting down the shots she was carrying.

“Caleb,” Preston says, looking at me apologetically.

“We were talking about Halloween, and it came up how he acted with Preston hugging you. He really did overreact, Sof,” Briana tells me as my face falls in embarrassment.

“I leave for a minute, and y’all talk about me?” Wow. Ethan looks at me with brows furrowed.

“We weren’t talking about you, Sof. We were talking about Caleb and how he reacted.Bigdifference,” Paige insists.

I roll my eyes. “Never mind. Lena and I bought shots. Cheers!” I grab one of the glasses, tap it on the table, and chug it down, not waiting for anyone else. Needing to get away from everyone, I grab the cigarettes and lighter from Lena’s purse saying, “I’ll be back.”

I burst through the side door leading out to the patio. Zeroing in on an empty table, I plop myself in the chair, sighing in defeat before lighting up. I have never felt my emotions so out of control before. A couple of minutes pass, and the rush of nicotine has calmed me a tad. Arms come around my shoulders in an embrace I know well—Preston.

“What happened in there, baby girl?” Preston looks at me as he sits on a chair besides me.

“Nothing…I don’t know…” I can’t explain if I don’t understand it myself. “Never mind,” I say, not even wanting to force a smile.

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