“Well, that’s the thing,” I cover my face with both my hands. “Drunk memight have roped us both into double dates.” I peek through my fingers as Jesse bursts into laughter.
I tell him all about Soph, how I met her at Mrs Campbell’s cafe, and then bumped into her at the bar where she was stood up by some guy.
“So, who’s your date going to be then?” he says, as he grabs another slice of pizza. I don’t know why, but I’ve been dreading telling Jesse about how things have kind of stepped up with Tanner. He has always been protective of me when it comes to guys, but the mention of this particular one causes him to react differently. What could be so different this time?
I keep eye contact so I can gauge his reaction. “Tanner,” I say, trying to sound casual.
Jesse just laughs at me and shakes his head. Staring at him, I struggle to understand his reaction. Is that disappointment in his eyes? I’m not sure, but what I do know is this laughter is masking something. I know him as well as he knows me, I can see it; he may try but he can’t hide from me.
Jesse
My heart is racing and blood is rushing in my ears. Tanner? Is she serious right now … She wants to bringher fuck boyon adouble date?I laugh because I have no words; I can’t tell her what I really think. I close my eyes as I shake my head, the next thing I know a pillow slams into my face.Ouch!
“What was that for?” I ask, still laughing. She’s kneeling on the couch next to me now, pillow still in her hands ready to strike again.
“You’re laughing at me! Why can’t I date Tanner?”
“C’mon Kins, even you said he’s just —” I mimic her voice now to take the edge off what I’m about to say. “A little escape from reality.”
“Well,” she draws out. “Maybe it might be more than that now.”
Shit, I wasn’t expecting that, and by her clipped response I can feel her walls coming back up. Quickly, I sit up and close the gap between us, trying to rectify the situation. Removing the threatening pillow from her hands, I wrap an arm around her and pull her close so she’s leaning into me on the couch.
“If you want to date Tanner,” I take a deep breath, hoping she believes the lie I’m telling us both. “I promise to be on my best behaviour.” She looks up at me through her eyelashes, a huge smile wrapping across her face.
“Really?” She beams, sitting up and wrapping her arms around my neck. “Thanks, Jess. I knew you would have my back.”
I’m not sure if she had been pouring pink gin at work or if it’s her shampoo, but the familiar smell of sweet berries consumes me and my chest begins to tighten, I need to get her off of me before she realises how much of a fraud I am.
“Yeah, yeah,” I say, pulling back and grabbing the six pack I brought down to the couch. “Beer? I think we will need one if you still plan on filling me in on that phone call.”
Kinsley spends the next hour bringing me up to speed on the phone call she received on her birthday, before the voicemail which I played in the car outside the cemetery, and the return phone call she received the next day. I rub the stubble on my chin several times, processing all of the information.
I can’t for the life of me work out who thisGeorge Watsonguy is though, is he a member of the club Kyle and I looked into all those years ago? Why is he only trying to get her to stop looking into everythingnow?Kinsley has been working with Stanley for three years, has she uncovered more than she is telling me?
“Here’s the catch,” Kinsley’s voice pulls me from my thoughts. “I spoke with Inspector Stanley and he ran multiple checks,George Watsondoesn’t exist.”
“Who would be calling you, and why are they using a fake name?” I’m only thinking out loud now, I don’t expect her to have the answers and even if she does, something tells me she is keeping them to herself. But why?
Kinsley grabs the remote, flicking through until she finds a movie she wants to watch. I chuckle to myself, she’s never been into football. As we settle in to watch the movie, my thoughts drift off until I’m standing in the meadow full of wildflowers. Kyle and I are standing with the horses, while watching Kinsley skip, spin and dance. She looks over our way and my lips twitch up into a smirk. Even all those years ago she had me wrapped around her finger.
Chapter Ten
Kinsley
The next few days go by uneventfully, but when Sunday finally rolls around, I start my morning with Soph on FaceTime. Both our phones are propped up in various places whilst she is fussing about what to wear and we get ready for a day out with Jesse and Tanner.
“You’ll look good in whatever you choose,” I say, rolling my lips after applying my favourite raspberry flavoured chapstick.
Sophie huffs, “Yeah, but this is a first impression! I want to make a good one.” Giving me a cheeky wink she spins around showing off her third outfit of the morning, jeans and a cute little flowy crop that shows off just the tiniest amount of her toned stomach.
“Yep! This is the one,” I announce, throwing both my hands in the air in celebration.
“Are you sure?” she asks.
“Yes, definitely. Just grab an extra layer for this morning, it’s probably still chilly out.”
“Okay, thanks Kins! I’ll see you soon!”
