Page 121 of Under Pressure

“I’ve never had much luck with one of those.”

“Few of us have. That’s why we stick together. I’ll take a found family over the one I got given at birth any day.”

Instead of breaking down into tears, I toughen up and pull myself together. There’s a hint of a proud smile on her face when I turn in my seat and release her hand.

“Are you really not going in to watch the game tonight?”

She winks. “Nah. Trust me, real fun comes afterward. If they win.”

“I think you’ll be the only one of us here right now who’ll be doing that later. Tell me again where I’m going?”

“I already let Finn know you’re coming. He’s coming down to the parking garage entrance, and he’ll take it up for you.” She must pick up on the slow sinking of my shoulders because she adds, “Unless you want to bring it to him yourself?”

Instantly, I’m shaking my head. “No. This is better for right now.”

At least I won’t be able to see if he winds up spitting out his first sip. Or worse, tells Finn to throw it in the trash.

Her phone beeps from where she’s tucked it between her thighs. My entire body locks up when she reads the message that just arrived.

“He’s here. Up by that sign there.”

I follow the direction of the finger she points at the windshield and unbuckle my seat belt. “I’ll be right back.”

Before I can back out, I’m strolling through the parking lot. Finn notices me instantly, and I feel bad when I see him dressed in uniform. Images of Beck dressed similarly flood my mind, andmy cheeks burn a deep red as the memory of his round ass in those tight pants takes over me.

“That for Beck?”

I cough, choking on nothing. “Y-yep. Can you make sure he tries it? Even just a sip.”

“It’s not poisoned?”

“No!” I yelp.

His eyes light up while he laughs. “I’m just kidding. Yeah, I’ll get him to try it, Quinn.”

I burn even hotter. “Great. Okay, yeah. I appreciate it. Really.”

“No worries.”

Awkwardness clogs the air between us, and I step backward. “I’ll go now. Thanks again.”

“Tell Aubs to drive safe for me. It’s supposed to rain pretty badly this afternoon.”

“I will.”

He looks past me to where Aubrey’s car sits, the engine running idle, bright headlights flashing against dark concrete walls. I ignore the sharp pang of jealousy in my chest and head toward the light, needing to get away from here before I start sobbing again.

Finn doesn’t say another word, but his eyes remain fixed on his girlfriend until I’m buckled in again and we’re leaving the way we came. It’s a stark reminder of why I decided to fight for Beck, and while a part of me wished I hadn’t been reminded of what I lost, I’m oddly grateful for it.

42

“What’s that?”Wes asks when Finn comes sauntering back into the clubhouse.

The look on his face is interesting. I expected him to have lipstick marks all over his face after sneaking out to meet up with Aubrey. Instead, there’s a cup in his hands with a logo stamped on the front that steals my breath.

I take a single step forward, then move it back again, plastering myself against the wall. Finn’s attention skips right over Wes and lands on me instead. Fear creeps in, and I bite down on my tongue before I can demand an answer to soothe my curiosity.

Jett scrunches his face, moving right into Finn’s space. “Is that matcha?”