Before You Know It

Chapter 18

I walked out of my room and saw Sophie sitting at the kitchen table.

"Hey, Soph?" I started to get her attention.

She raised her eyebrow at me as a response and I continued. "So when were you gonna tell me that you were talking to Sean?"

I asked over my shoulder as I stood in front of the fridge. She seemed to choke on her coffee for a second before she regained her composure.

She quietly croaked out, "What?"

I turned around and crossed my arms over my chest. "You heard me."

She just seemed to stare at me, not knowing what to say.

I mean, should I be angry about it? I kind of have no right to be angry though. Me and him aren't like that, we're just friends. And it should be my dream to have my two best friends together. Right?

"I- I planned on telling you." She paused and I turned towards the cupboards, "I just didn't know how to. Not- well not since I knew about your past with him." She finished her sentence quietly.

I quickly snapped around and looked at her. She knew how sensitive that subject was for me. But she wasn't looking at me, so she didn't see the glare I sent her so I turned back towards the cupboard.

"So, when'd it happen?" I asked pretending like I wasn't all that interested in the answer.

"Like a month ago." She reluctantly said.

But when I didn't say anything, she continued, "After one of my games, I went to the diner with the team and he was there. Then we just kinda started talking. We are first talking about you because he asked how you were doing. Then we just kept talking after that. It's not like anything has happened though."

"Hm. Cool." I said blandly.

"Are you cool with it?" She asked.

"Yes." I replied quickly. "No." I paused. "I don't know!" I yelled, throwing my arms in the air.

I rubbed my temples and quietly whispered, "I just don't know."

"I'll stop talking to him if you want me to." She said with so much sincerity that it made it worse.

"I mean I don't totally hate the whole situation of it, but I also don't like it." I paused and looked at her, "So, Soph, I really just don't know."

"Okay." She quietly whispered.

"But Soph," I looked right into her eyes, "Don't drop him. He seems to really like you. It'll be great if you guys end up together." I said, ending it with a smile.

She lit up at my words, "Okay."

She walked over to me and hugged me. She wrapped her arms over my shoulders and I leaned into her. Her curly hair tickled my nose.

I will be happy for them. I'm with Jake. And they both deserve to be happy.

———
As I am walking out of the doors of the school, I reach and grab my phone to quickly text Sean.

Me: "I need to talk to you later tonight."

Minutes go by. Then my phone bings.

Sean: "Okay, when? Also, what's going on?"

Me: "Around 6. And I'll explain it to you when you show up."

Sean: "Okay."

I read the text and lock my phone. I walk up to the familiar truck and lean against it as I wait for Jake to show up.