Tethered Hearts | ✓ | Books 1 & 2

Episode 51| Temptation

Sophia's P.O.V.

I consumed a hardy breakfast that consisted of cinnamon oatmeal and a slice of toast. I washed it down with coffee. I had this strange habit – a habit that dated back to my adolescence –where I would wait until I finished my meal before taking a sip of whatever was in my cup. I couldn't trace-back where that habit originated from, but it stuck with me throughout the years.

Conner, Bryce, and I left the apartment ten minutes after noon. I quickened my step and reached the passenger door to Bryce's car first. "I hope you don't mind," I said after seeing Conner glower at me.

Conner grinded his teeth, shoving his hands in his pocket, and threw the door to the backseat open. "We're late and behind schedule to begin with."

That didn't answer my question.

"Conner, if you—"

"Take the damn seat, Sophia," he grunted. "Like I said, we're late."

"I only asked you a question. You don't have to be rude."

"Okay, fine, would you like for me to say it again in a slower voice so you can fucking understand it?"

"Conner," Bryce said in an authoritative tone. "I talked to you about this. Get in the car and kindly shut the hell up."

Suddenly feeling out of place as they both glared at one another, I ducked my head into the car and sat down. To my relief, the intimidating stare-off ended without any fists being thrown.

Bryce and Conner took their seats and buckled up. After pealing out of our parking spot, we were off to the hospital. When we got there, I could've sworn Conner was half-ready to tumble and roll out of the car at the sight of the front entrance.

"Let me find parking first," Bryce told him. "It won't be long."

"I'll wait for you in the waiting room," Conner said, clicking off his seat belt.

"Okay, go then." Bryce came to a gradual stop and allowed Conner to exit out of the vehicle.

Whilst driving in and out of different parking lot levels, I tried decoding the indescribable anger drenched in Conner's attitude. The higher we went, the more it bothered me–inside and out. Had I done something to him?

"Bryce," I muttered, keeping my voice low for some unknown reason. It was just us in the car.

"Hmm," he hummed, scanning his green eyes across the parking lot for a vacancy. "What is it?"

"Never mind." I shut down.

Bringing up Conner was a bad idea. Kelsey was in the hospital. He was probably acting like this because of the case his girlfriend was in.

"No, what is it, Sophia? What were you going to say?" Bryce located a spot on the third level, squeezing us between a white van and a rusty brown hooptie that made me think of my shitty car.

I'd have to pick it up from the shop this week. I made a mental note to remember to drive by there when I had time.

I unclicked my seatbelt. "Is there some kind of underlining anger Conner has towards me or is that just...how he always is? I was going to say he's been acting like that lately because of what happened with Kelsey but -"

"He's always like this." Bryce didn't let me finish my sentence. "I get where you're going with this, but no. I know Conner."