Friends and Lovers
Chapter Thirteen
She found two more paper clips.
There was no need for a cold shower after all. She made a face in the mirror while brushing the evidence from her hair. Turned out a series of increasingly mortifying events did the trick just fine. Maybe she could hide under the covers for ever and pretend the day was a bad dream.
Well… maybe not the whole day.
Sora dropped the brush next to the sink and leaned in to inspect her reflection, noting that her neck still looked suspiciously pink so she applied a fresh layer of concealer, just in case. She stepped back and stood up on her tip toes, twisting to look for any other potentially damning clues before she rejoined her friends.
It would be just her luck to miss something.
Maybe no one would mention what happened in the bathroom and she wouldn't even need to come up with an excuse. She prayed that would be true. She really did not want to have to explain where the paper clip came from. Lying wasn't exactly her best skill.
Something caught her attention and she looked down, pulling up the hem of her dress to reveal what she had glimpsed in the mirror. Her stomach flipped.
Gently she touched her fingers to the small bruises just beginning to form on her thighs. She remembered Matt's hands gripping her and heat sparked, thrumming along her nerves like a current of electricity. She laughed at herself. If she didn't stop thinking about this she was never going to be able to leave this room.
Was Matt feeling any of this frustration? Surely he couldn't be downstairs relaxing with their friends. Wouldn't the evidence of his frustration be so much more… obvious?
The memory of his body hard against her struck like a lightening bolt. That was definitely not how she regained her composure. She shook her head, desperate to banish the memory of Matt and his physical response. How was she ever going to act normal in these conditions?
Maybe she should take that cold shower after all.
She unclenched her hands and let the hem of the dress drop with a sigh. She was already wearing the longest dress she'd packed so she was just going to have to make do. Just another thing she had to hope no one would notice or comment on. She once again cursed the packing choices of her past self, certain it was not the last time she would do so .
She scowled at the pile of heels for the second time today, definitely still not ready to wear any of them.
Taking a deep breath to calm her nerves, she resigned herself to the fact she would have to face her friends and the sooner the better. She did her best to ignore her stomach tying itself in knots and left the relative safety of her bedroom. She descended one slow step at a time, trying her best to appear casual even as she scanned the room below. Longing filled her and she came to a stop on the stair, nearly undone by the sight of him.
Matt leaned against the window, one hand in the pocket of his shorts while the other held a mug. She was disappointed to see he had indeed put a shirt on. She wanted to go to him, to run her hands under his shirt and feel his skin like a brand against hers. She met his gaze and the world around them fell out of focus.
If he didn't stop looking at her like that she was going to kiss him, audience or no audience. He cocked a brow at her and his lips twitched in to his familiar smirk. Damn him, he knew exactly what she was thinking. How could he be so cool and collected when she was burning up inside.
"Feeling better?" Joe asked. With a start she realized everyone in the room was staring up at her.
"I'm fine" She answered, tearing her eyes away and making a point to ignore Matt as she joined them in the living room. She remembered she was suppose to be sick and rushed to add "much better now, thank you."
"You had us worried," Hikari said from her seat on the couch. "you don't think you're coming down with something?"
"I'm sure it's nothing." She gave what she hoped was a reassuring smile.
"Maybe you're hung over," Taichi offered. "You did tap out early last night."
Sora could tell by the twinkle in his eyes that he did not believe for a minute she was sick, but she was so grateful for the lifeline she could have hugged him.
"I was pretty drunk." She agreed.
Joe shifted to make room for her beside him, but she pretended not to see the motion and propped herself on the arm of the couch beside Hikari instead. The last thing she wanted to do was fuel whatever suspicions Taichi might be entertaining with that sly look in his eyes.
"Were you?" Matt asked. "I didn't notice." He sipped his cup and his eyes over the rim were laughing at her. She wanted to kick him. Of course he would ruin a perfectly safe excuse.
"Maybe you weren't paying attention." She countered and Matt's brows shot up at her tone. The corner of his lips twitched.
"I think you'd be surprised what I pay attention to."
Sora felt her skin grow hot.
"Since we're all here." Hikari announced, her voice pitched higher than normal, "I think we should go out."
Sora blinked at the interruption, breaking her gaze from Matt's to see their friends looking at her as if she had grown two heads.
"Out?" She repeated.
"Out!" Hikari confirmed. "There are so many shops and restaurants in town and I think we should explore them."
Sora looked down at her bare feet and wiggled her toes. She'd barely noticed her injured heel all day, but she suspected that was about to change.
"We can take my car!" Taichi volunteered. Hikari rolled her eyes.
"Your car only has two seats."
"We'd need to take two cars anyway." Joe pointed out. "We can't all fit in one."
"I'm taking my own car." Matt stated, folding his arms.
"We could each drive our own cars." Izzy offered.
"We don't have to." Hikari said, her eyes nearly pleading with them. "We really only need two cars."
"I'm taking my own car." Matt repeated, his tone firm. "I'm not riding with anyone."
"Someone can ride with me, my car is cool!" Taichi insisted. Hikari dropped her head in her hands, giving in.
"Fine. We'll take all the cars. I just want to go out. I don't care how we get there."
Sora was conscious of the state of her own car and she glanced sideways at Matt. Was that why he was insisting on bringing his car? Her body grew warm at the possibilities. Oh to have her phone! So many things could be solved if she could just communicate discreetly. Wasn't it just her luck to break anything that made life easy for her.
Her friends continued to hammer out the details around her, but their conversation faded in to the background. She ran through possible scenarios in her head, but kept coming up empty.
How was she going to finagle riding alone with Matt?
"That's settled, lets head out." Taichi clapped his hands together, signaling a decision had been reached.
What was settled? Sora looked around as her friends rose from their seats around her.
"Wait." She said, rising with them, thinking fast. She caught Matt's gaze and hoped he understood she wanted him to wait for her. "I need my shoes."
She hurried back upstairs and returned to the small pile of shoes for the third time today. She surveyed them with rising dismay. Hikari wanted to tour the town and knowing her that meant on foot. Sora raked her hands through her hair and groaned. Why hadn't she packed any practical shoes at all.
Resigning herself, she sorted through her options for the smallest heel and settled on a gray suede ankle boot with a block heel. It didn't go with the style of the sun dress, but was better suited for walking than anything else she packed.
Maybe they would come across a shoe store while they were out where she could buy something more reasonable.
She took her time putting on the boots and hoped she was buying Matt enough time to come up with something where she had failed. He just needed to convince the others they could go on without her. Her heart began to race in her chest and her fingers shook when they gripped the little zipper.
If everyone left they would be alone in the house.
She forced herself to keep breathing around the thought.
She would be alone in the house with Matt.
A shiver ran through her and she couldn't say if it was fear or anticipation. Likely a healthy dose of both. She jerked the zipper too hard and felt the metal bend between her fingers.
She knew she shouldn't be moving this fast. They should be taking things slow with so much to resolve between them. If she wasn't careful whatever this was could all end in disaster. Even so she could not find the will within her.
She wanted this.
She'd always wanted this and what had being careful ever done but drive him further from her. Last night she'd finally taken a risk and now here she was waiting for everyone else to leave so they could be alone.
She wasn't the least bit interested in taking this slow.
Sora shook her hands to dispel the jitters and hoped she'd given him had enough time to come up with something.
When she emerged once again from the bedroom she was happy to see Matt still waiting in the living room below. Excitement surged within her. She couldn't believe it worked! Her face broke into a smile she didn't try to hide. She all but flew down the the stairs in her haste.
They were finally alone.
Matt turned to her and the look he shot her was so different than the one she expected that she didn't understand right away.
"There you are!" Joe said from the hallway behind her. "What took you so long?"
The smile faltered and fell as realization dawned. Matt shrugged, his own expression rueful.
"I told him not to wait." He said as way of apology.
"I wouldn't do that to her."
Joe's tone was openly hostile and Sora turned to see him, his eyes narrowed on Matt. Frustration bubbled under her skin like static and she took a slow breath in through her nose to ease it. Of course he wouldn't leave her alone with Matt, she'd been stupid to think he would.
"You didn't have to wait." She reassured him, hoping against reason to salvage this opportunity. "I can ride with Matt."
Joe's eyes softened as he looked back to her and he stepped forward, closing the distance between them.
"I'll always wait for you." He said, his eyes searching her face. She frowned up at him, not at all in the mood for his teasing.
"You don't have to." She repeated, her irritation slipping through.
"I know." He said. He took her hand, interlacing his fingers with hers to give a reassuring squeeze. "I wanted to."
"Okay, I'm done here." Matt said, brushing by both of them on his way to the front door.
"Wait!" Sora broke away from Joe to reach for him without thinking. She was suppose to be standing here with him, not watching him leave without her. Matt waved a hand over his head in goodbye without looking back and disappeared through the door.
Leaving her alone in the house with Joe. How had it gone so wrong?
"Come on," Joe said from beside her, taking her hand in his again. "Everyone will be waiting."
Sora sulked on their drive to town. Joe tried to engage her in small talk, but each time she made a point to turn the volume up on the car stereo until he got the hint and they rode with only music between them. She knew she wasn't being fair to him, but she didn't trust herself to be civil.
Her body crackled in frustration and her mood remained dark even as they turned on to the main road, only perking up a little when the trees broke and she could see the afternoon sun shining on the lake. She looked out the passenger side window to see the park stretching along the shore. People were out in the sun walking or jogging on the paths, enjoying the beautiful day outside.
What a cute little town, she thought when she spied the small store fronts lining the opposite street. No wonder Hikari wanted to explore.
Joe slowed the car as they approached a parking lot and Sora saw Taichi's head of gravity defying hair first. Joe pulled in to a spot nearby and she saw Matt emerge from his car parked beside Taichi.
Gangs all here.
They stepped out of the car to join their friends and she forced herself to smile even as her injured heel twinged in protest. She sighed, not looking forward to the pain ahead. How odd to think she'd been excited for the night's potential just a short while ago.
Their group milled about for a minute before deciding on a direction.
Hikari grabbed her arm and pulled in her to first a plant shop, and then a crockery store. Her excitement was infectious and before long Sora found herself pulled out of her mood despite herself. When the younger woman pointed to the window display of soaps and candles, she found she was just as eager to explore.
She couldn't help glancing back at Matt where he followed behind the group, and she was caught off guard by his expression when their eyes met. She watched him through lowered lashes as she lingered over home made soaps, allowing the bulk of their group to move on without her.
Matt hesitated as he approached, his face unreadable. She stepped back to intercept him and stumbled over someone's feet.
"Careful," a too familiar voice said in her ear, his hands grasping her upper arms to steady her against him. "I got you."
"Joe!" She snapped, not even trying to keep the irritation from her voice. Joe let her go, his hands releasing her as if burned. Why was he hovering so close? She wanted to confront him right there, but with their friends around she was loathe to make a scene. Instead she only glared and moved away, putting distance between them. She looked from Joe's hurt expression to Matt's sour one before she turned her back on the both of them and hurried to catch up to the rest of the group.
It had been a mistake leaving Matt to try to arrange their riding together, she realized. It must have triggered the group and now their friends would not leave her alone for even a moment with him. Joe in particular was with her at every turn. She was quite literally tripping over him.
Her frustration grew the more they walked, pulsing under her skin in time with the throbbing in her heel. Her mood growing darker with the setting sun.
"Are you okay? Joe finally pulled her aside as they waited at the bar for a table to open up, his voice pitched low to keep their conversation between just the two of them. Even so she saw Matt's head turn ever so slightly in their direction.
"Of course." She replied out of habit, but then. "Actually no, I'm not."
"I knew it," He said, his voice rising. "Whats wrong?"
Her breath came out in a fierce hiss as she shushed him, looking back to see which of their friends had noticed his outburst. While turned Joe stepped closer and grasped her shoulders, his large hands warm against her skin.
She stiffened under his touch and her eyes snapped to his face. He'd caught her before she could back away, but struggling would only draw the attention she didn't want. He's only trying help She reminded herself. After a deep breath she met his worried gaze again and forced what she hoped was a reassuring smile. She could tell by the look on his face it was not convincing.
"It's you." She said with all the kindness she could muster.
"Me?" Joe's featured scrunched in confusion, "What did I do?" She really did not want to do this, but it had to stop. Instead of pushing him away, she reached up to place her hands over his, giving his fingers a reassuring squeeze to soften her words.
"What ever this is. Stop hovering. Just… trust me when I say I'm okay." If anything he looked even more confused.
"But you just said you weren't okay." She wanted to shake him.
"I know, but just…" She noticed Matt was no longer the only one with an ear turned in their direction and pitched her whispered voice even lower. "I'll explain later."
"But-" She narrowed her eyes and peeled his fingers away so she could step back.
"Later." She promised, and let his hands drop from hers just as the hostess came to collect the group for their table.
As expected their friends had already maneuvered to block her from being near Matt. Taichi and TK claiming the seats to either side of him with Izzy and Hikari to either side of them leaving only the two seats opposite remaining. Sora sighed, her disappointment expected, but still crushing. She resigned herself to sitting beside Hikari and tried not to feel irritated as Joe pulled out the chair beside her.
If last night had never happened she would appreciate the effort they put in to keep them apart. Except last night did happen and now they were just in her way. Of course there was no way for them to know the situation had changed. They probably thought this was exactly what she wanted. She sighed again, then forced a smile at Joe when he turned to her with his brow furrowed.
This was going to be a long dinner.
She wanted so much to protect what was happening with Matt , to nurture these moments between the two of them until it could grow into something more defined. Could they do that while their friends did everything in their power to keep them separated? Maybe it would be better to tell their friends… something?
She tried to catch Matt's eye across the table while everyone perused the menu. Conversation flowed around them, but no matter how blatantly she stared he avoided her gaze, looking every direction except hers. There was no way to force him to meet her eyes without being too obvious, so in an attempt to be more subtle she settled for studying him over the top of her menu. She watched his hands, his fingers fidgeting the corner of his own menu while he made a show of looking over the options. The collar of his black shirt where it rested against his neck, the column of his throat as he swallowed. His mouth, the corner curving into a smile as his eyes finally slid up to meet hers across the table before shifting down again.
She heard his voice from earlier as clearly as if he'd whispered to her.
It's rude to stare.
She smiled and continued to stare. She'd made no promises to stop.
When the server came around for their orders Sora begged to go last while she looked over the food options for real. She refused to acknowledge Joe's concern and instead shot Matt a look, blaming him for her distraction only to find he was already watching her. Her pulse rocketed into the atmosphere under his attention and she had to remind herself to breathe. Then she nearly dropped her menu and had to remind herself to read as the server was quickly working her way around the table.
Oh she was struggling. Maybe it was a good thing he was not beside her after all. She could barely function when he was so far away, there was no world where she behaved herself if he was close enough to touch.
They'd started drinking at the bar while waiting for the table, and the next round came soon after their orders were taken. Sora fiddled with the straw of her near empty drink while she debated the pros and cons of ordering a third. As they had all night her eyes drifted back to Matt just as his eyes were moving away from her. She smiled, enjoying the simple happiness from stealing secret glances with him.
"Sora?" She blinked and refocused her attention on Taichi. Had he been speaking to her?
"I'm sorry what?"
"What happened to your car? Joe said there was an accident." Oh yeah. Had that only been yesterday?
"I hit a tree." She explained, laughing at the memory. Gasps from around the table told her she was the only one. "No it's okay. It was really funny."
"Oh my gosh! What happened?" Hikari now, leaning forward to put a hand on her arm. Oh no, was she going to have to tell them? Her eyes once again slid to Matt, wishing for the first time tonight that he was in fact much further away. He met her gaze and flashed his familiar smirk, enjoying that she did not want him to hear this.
"Yeah Sora," He all but purred "What happened?" Never mind, she wished he was close enough again to kick under the table. She made a face at him before turning her attention back to her now empty drink.
"I was taking a selfie." She mumbled, fidgeting with her straw.
"I can't hear you" Taichi put a hand to his ear.
"I was taking a selfie!" She closed her eyes as she said it louder, cringing into her seat. "I was holding my phone out the window and then the deer was in the road and I just… hit a tree." She shrugged when no one said anything. "I thought it was funny."
"You were taking a selfie… while driving?" Of course Joe would say it like that. She narrowed her eyes at him.
"I looked really good."
Matt snorted from across the table and Sora felt the collective attention of the table shift to him. She couldn't resist the teasing look he gave her. "You disagree?"
"I didn't say anything." He countered, sipping his own drink.
"But you want to." She challenged. Before he could respond Joe spoke up beside her.
"Leave her alone Matt."
Matt's gaze shifted to Joe and his smirk grew an edge.
"You sure she wants me to?" Sora froze. He wouldn't… His eyes flicked to hers before returning to Joe. He let the silence linger a moment before setting his drink down. "Relax Romeo, she doesn't need you to protect her."
"Well someone needs to." Joe snapped, "Considering the company."
"That's enough." She said, her shocked gaze snapping to Joe. What was happening?
"That's funny coming from you." Matt countered, cool tone amused. "Is this nice guy thing working yet?"
"Stop." Taichi warned. He tried to put a hand on Matt's shoulder, but he shrugged it off.
"We all know she doesn't want you here." Joe said, his own voice cold.
"THAT'S ENOUGH."
Sora shot to her feet so quick her chair toppled to the floor and she glared down at Joe beside her before sweeping everyone else with her gaze. She wanted to scream at all of them. "I need some air." She forced instead.
She turned on her heel without waiting and walked from the table. She was so upset her body was shaking. Behind her, she heard Joe's chair scrap the floor followed by Matt's voice, low and cruel.
"Go on, your damsel is in distress."
"That's uncalled for." Taichi said, his own voice hard.
"Please, just not this week." Hikari begged.
"I should excuse myself." Matt offered, his voice bitter.
"That's a good idea." TK agreed.
Sora shoved at the door and left the restaurant, welcoming the cool night air. She took the brief opportunity to suck in a deep breath before the door opened again behind her.
"What do you think you are doing?!" She demanded, rounding on Joe as soon as she heard the door close.
"I couldn't let him talk to you like that."
"Like what? We were joking." She slapped his reaching hand away from her when he stepped closer. "This is ridiculous Joe." She slapped his other hand away. "Stop that."
He held his hands up in a position of surrender even while he took another step closer.
"I thought you didn't want to be around him." Joe's face was full of hurt and confusion, like a dog being scolded. She ignored the twinge of guilt and stabbed a finger at his chest hard enough to halt his advance. Damn it, was this somehow all her fault?
"No one asked me what I thought- you all just made that decision for me." She jabbed him again for emphasis and Joe had the good sense to look chastised.
Behind him the door opened again and Matt pushed through, stopping when he saw her. She glared at him over Joe's shoulder, warning him not to speak. She felt another pang of guilt when his mouth twisted and his eyes shifted away. He put his hands in his pockets and walked by them without saying a word.
Sora watched him go, her heart twisting as the darkness closed around him. This was her fault.
"He always has an attitude." Joe said, the bitterness unfamiliar in his voice. Sora turned back to see he'd been watching her watch Matt. She realized in that moment she didn't care if they saw her follow him, she couldn't let him walk away. Not like this.
"I would too." She said and started walking. "If people acted like you just did."
"Where are you going?" Joe asked, trying to follow her.
"To talk." She waved him back toward the restaurant and their friends waiting inside. "It's time I fixed this."