Viral

Seventeen

"You can be the moon and still be jealous of the stars."

-Gary Allan

I would say three is company but judging by the look on August's face he would say it was a crowd. Before I could join them in the living room the doorbell rang. When I opened the door Finn stood leaning on his elbow in the door frame. His outfit was just as pleasing to the eyes as the one he had on this morning. Except this time he had opted for a black V-neck instead of his bare torso and lose fitting jeans.

Finn's scratched the back of his neck then gave me a reassuring smile. "Can I come in?" I stepped aside giving him enough space, but he still managed to slightly bump against me. His rm brushing against mine was enough to make my stomach flop.

Four is definitely a party.

As good as it was to see Finn after I blew him off this morning a part of me couldn't help but question what was going through his mind. Or where he and Carly truly stood if they were literally breaking bread together this morning.

I joined them in the living room as August shut off the game. He was clearly over the population in the room doubling in size. I however, couldn't have been more relieved.

That relief however was short lived. Although trouble doesn't last always it sure has a way of finding me. "Is there a reason you all are here? Beckett and I had plans to spend this evening together—"

Finn cut August speech short. "I hadn't realized this was a private party." August and Finn shared what looked like intense eye contact that only led me to believe they were arguing through their eyes.

I cut through the unspoken argument, "It's ok guys the more the merrier. We were just playing some games. I only have two controllers though so we can watch a movie instead." My comment did not break their eye contact.

Due to the intensity of their looks I was starting to think Finn's reaction this morning, the surprise look that I had plans to hang out with August, had been laced with jealousy. That maybe it hadn't only been me consumed with it. Stuck in thoughts of what ifs and the possibilities of what would happen in his absence.

Had that been the reason why Finn showed up unannounced knowing I had plans? His fear of the unknown, of what would happen between August and me?

"What's up Finn; you sound a little territorial. What would Carly think If she heard you right now?" August straightened his posture in defiance. I couldn't help but roll my eyes. "In fact why don't we invite her over too?"

Over my dead body would she be ever welcome in this house.

Marcus looked between them before grabbing a chip out of the bag and stuffing it into his mouth. Of all the outspoken things that came out of his mouth now he had decided to become mute.

"Why would it matter what Carly thinks? We're not together." I loved hearing Finn say that. As if we could go back in time to before the summer started, and she wasn't a permanent fixture in our lives.

It was possible that I liked hearing it more than anything because the more I heard it the more I could believe it was true and bury my jealous feelings deeper inside of myself.

"That's hard to believe when I literally saw her coming out of your house when I pulled up." August crossed his arms at the same time I snapped my attention back to Finn.

Finn's hardened facial expression softened momentarily before hardening into stone again. That little slip was enough for me to know that August's words were true.

Here it was six in the evening. That meant Carly was there longer than breakfast. She had spent the afternoon at his house doing what exactly? I'm no expert in the relationship department but I've never heard of a day long breakup.