Show Me by Ava Colt

It wasn’t that she didn’t know.

Finn Masters was her best friend. Of course, Emily knew. They’d been friends since before he’d realized that, between his dimples and his abs, he could have any girl he wanted. It had worked out really well for him. Yay, finger guns, pew, pew.

But sometimes it was too much.

She watched him from across the living room of the Victorian house he shared with his teammates, Henry, and Max. Two impeccably dressed women, skirts short and shoes tall, gazed up at him. They were truly lovely. One bit her lip, probably wondering if she might get lucky. The other smiled like she knew she would.

Finn leaned against the doorframe, sipping his beer. His blue eyes were piercing, even from that distance. His jaw would certainly sell razors when he becomes a starter. Most men their age looked like nervous waiters in formal suits. He looked ready to engage in international espionage then pour himself a drink. He gazed over at her. His smile faltered when Emily didn’t return it.

It used to be easier.

Emily took refuge in the beer she held. She needed a distraction from thoughts of a crisp white dress shirt she wanted to ruin, a black tie her fingers itched to grasp, and a pair of pants that clung to his thighs like she wanted to. It was more troubling than his usual clothes, which were too much too. But she’d prepared herself for loose shirts that revealed his collarbone when he laughed, doubled over as he held onto her arm.

Nothing could’ve prepared her for that night, though. Finn might leave broken hearts behind him but not broken promises. He was still the kind of son who put on a suit for dinner with his parents. She wished he weren’t.

Because guess who he asked to go with him?His best friend since high school and the literal former girl next door. So, Emily put on a dress and heels, like a girl who didn’t live in jeans and T-shirts and the occasional sweatshirt she stole from her best friend.

For those few hours, it felt like maybe he remembered all the minor details of her life and wore a suit and tie and was polite in front of his parents for a reason. But it was hard to remember that feeling of hope when it looked like Finn would be hooking up with two girls later.

She should go home. Finn’s personal choices were none of her business, and nothing good could come from pining, alone, in his house.

She frowned. Maybe more drinks were needed. They would help her forget the feeling of his hand clasping hers as he pulled her up the front steps, her legs shaking like a new fawn’s, unaccustomed to tall heels.

“Hurry up, princess,”he’d called, grinning delightedly when she’d scowled at him.

Unable to leave without one more glance, she sought him out.

Finn stared into his glass, eyes narrowed. He pushed himself off the wall and looked ready to walk over to her—oh man, she didn’t want to have to explain what was wrong.

“Hey,” someone said.

“Hey back.” She turned to find Max standing in front of her.

Max, so handsome, with a stunning reputation for a good time and no regrets, looked at her like he hadn’t seen her in a dress before, which he probably hadn’t.

He smiled at her. “You want another drink?”

Maybe the night was looking up. She’d never hooked up with Max before, but it might be the night she needed to let go and have some fun. She followed him to the front room, where a makeshift bar had been set up.

“You should avoid the kitchen tonight,” he said cryptically.

She didn’t want to ask.

Max mixed her a drink. He seemed to try not to look down her dress or stare too long at her ass. It was all very sweet. He looked over her shoulder, and she wondered what had caught his attention. But then he mentioned something about getting another drink and watching a movie upstairs.

Emily paused, cup halfway to her mouth. It had been so long since she’d hooked up with anyone. She didn’t even know how long. Max—he of the glorious reputation—was inviting her upstairs. Even if he were the first professional athlete in history who actually wanted to watch a movie with a girl and not get her out of her dress, it still felt great. She smiled over her cup.

He ran a hand through his hair and grinned. So, the evening was about to get a whole lot better. Then Finn walked into the kitchen.

“What’s up?” Finn asked, all false cheer, pouring himself another drink. He glanced between her and Max.

Max immediately took a step back, holding up his hands. “We were just gonna watch a movie.”

“Uh-huh.” Finn didn’t take his eyes off her.

“Honestly,” Max said. “I didn’t know.”

Emily crossed her arms in front of her chest, turning to look at Finn. “There’s nothing to know.”

Is Finn serious?He’d never cared who she’d hooked up with or dated in the past. She knew, because maybe, just maybe, she had paid too much attention to see if he did. Now he’s going to interfere when Max asks me upstairs?

“I didn’t know, man,” Max muttered as he walked out of the room.

Finn wiped his lips with his thumb. She tried not to think about how he might be attractive when he was in a good mood, but something about him seemed downright deadly when he was in his I’m-pissed-off-and-trying-to-contain-it mode. He had many facets. It was greatly irritating because they were all attractive. She went a little weak in the knees when he stalked toward her.

“Were you really going upstairs with that guy?”

“His name is Max, which I’m pretty sure you know, since you’re friends.” She glared at him. “Of course I was going upstairs with him.”

“He isn’t right for you.”

“Well, he’s a coward, I’ve learned, so thanks for that.”

“Anytime.” He leaned against the counter and put his hands in his pockets.

“You couldn’t have pointed that out after I slept with him?”

Finn stumbled, his usual grace lost.

“Good luck with the girl, er, girls? I have a double shift on Saturday, so I won’t be at the game.”

“You’re leaving?” He reached for her arm. “It’s still early.”

“I see no point in staying.” She looked down at her dress. “I don’t look like myself.”

“You look amazing,” he whispered as he let go of her arm.

“Now I definitely know I don’t look like myself.”

“That’s not what I meant.” He levered himself off the counter, looking at her with concern.

“I’m going home.”

“I’ll walk you.”

She put her palms to her eyes.

“Please, Emily, tell me what’s wrong.”

She forced herself to look at him. He gazed back at her with concern. It should be enough. She knew that. She should thank the universe for his friendship and move on. But sometimes, she just wanted—wanted so much. She wanted to know what they knew, all those other girls.

“It’s hard to be your friend sometimes, you know?”

“What?” He frowned.

“Forget it.”

He took a deep breath. “I’m sorry about Max.”

“I don’t know why me hooking up with him is a problem unless you’re some kind of slut-shaming jerk.”

“It’s not like that.” He ran a hand through his hair.

She was so tired of feeling suffocated. Like she never got what she wanted because that boy, her best friend, was next to her but not with her. Maybe they had been friends for too long. Maybe what she thought was comfort was just an excuse not to change. Not to find anyone new.

“Please,” Finn pleaded. “You were quiet at dinner, and you seem down tonight. Can’t you tell me what’s going on?”

Can I?She should. She knew that. She had been mooning over him for too long. It was time to just let him know how she felt, show him how she felt. She couldn’t waste any more time.

“Follow me.” She gripped his lapel, pulling him into the dark hallway.