Just Colleagues

8. The Hotter the Water, the Higher the Tensions

Back to Briar's POV:

"Sooo... I've been wondering this for a few days and I'm sorry if it's weird to ask, but..." I hear Pope start to say as we hop back into the Heyward truck after dropping off our last bags of groceries on a Tuesday morning, "... what's up with you and Rafe?"

I freeze in the passenger seat and nervously chuckle. "What do you mean?"

"You can't possibly not understand what I'm asking right now." He replies with a raised brow.

I sigh. "I don't know, honestly."

"I can tell he likes you. The looks he gave you at Topper's was something I've never seen him express to any girl before, to be honest."

"Oh c'mon, you have to be overexaggerating."

"I'm being so serious right now Briar," the boy laughs, "plus you guys left the party unnoticed."

"Okay, that was because he threw up in front of me and I had to bring him back home."

"So you didn't hook up with Topper?"

"No no no" I quickly respond.

He chuckles at me and I laugh back.

"Rafe's the Figure 8 fuckboy, yeah, but, maybe he's turned over a new leaf" Pope suggests, shrugging his shoulders.

I sigh again. "Maybe. But he's going to be my coworker in two weeks. I can't start something with him... I just can't. It'll be unprofessional."

Pope slowly nods in agreement. "Yeah, that's, like, a number one rule, especially considering that he's your bosses son."

There's an uncomfortable silence between us, but the Heyward boy breaks it to speak up again. "You're pretty bold for saying that because I've seen the way you look at him too." The boy smirks.

My breath shortens. I swallow down my nerves, attempting to hide away mt nonverbal response.

"Yeah, that's what I figured." Chuckles Pope.

As the Heyward boy and I clock out of work for the day, we head to the Chateau as always. Before we are able to greet the group after walking through the door, Sarah and Kie rush toward Pope and I calling our names.

"BRIAR POPE BRIAR POPE"

I let out a laugh. "What, you guys?"

"THE BONFIRE. ITS THIS FRIDAY!" They exclaim in unison.

"Ohhh crap, it is this Friday" Pope chimes in, his hand cupping his mouth in realization.

"Y'ALL HAVE TO COME, WE ALL ARE!" Kie exclaims, Sarah nodding forcefully.

Overwhelmed by the girls' excitement, I nod my head. "Yeah, sure, if you tell me what it is" I reply.

"It's this party where every kid celebrates the beginning of summer vacation at the bonfire pit. Pogues, kooks, and even tourons pull up." I hear John B say from the couch.

"YOU HAVE TO COME!" Sarah begs, shaking my shoulders in excitement.

"And we can go shopping today to find some cute clothes for itttt" Kie adds, doing a little dance.

"I'm down, I'm down" I answer, and the two girls squeal in happiness.

Shopping at the Figure 8 Outlets took more time than the girls and I expected. We got our nails done (I chose a pink shade, Kie chose a matcha green shade, and Sarah chose a lavender shade), bought too many clothes, and had a buffet at the food court. Throughout our time at the mall, Rafe was sending me texts with the occasional funny videos of high Topper being goofy off of weed.