False Start Play by Parker Finch

Author:Parker Finch [Finch, Parker]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2023-10-14T16:00:00+00:00

TWELVE

LAINE

“I never thought—”

“Laine, I’ve—”

We speak at the exact same time.

“You go, Laine,” Jerry replies, ever the gentleman.

“I just wanted to say, that I never thought I’d see the day when I enjoyed being a tourist,” I confess as we walk to campus. “I’ve always thought that looking for those little authentic and out of the way places was the way to go. But running all around the city, ticking off every box for those splashy, big San Francisco sights…that was the most fun I’ve had in years.”

“See? Stepping out of that well-controlled comfort zone wasn’t so bad, was it?” Jerry nudges me playfully with his shoulder.

“Not at all. In fact, this might go down as the best date ever.” A well of emotion bubbles up unexpectedly. My words are completely true, but not quite the complete truth. I really like this guy. Like a lot. “Thanks for sharing all of that with me.”

“Believe me, the pleasure was all mine, sugar. I’m just glad you get to go back to your friend and tell her that you did exactly as ordered.” He laces his fingers through mine and lifts my hand to his lips, for what must be the twentieth time today.

I could get used to that treatment.

“Are you kidding? That’s the worst part of this entire day. Cassidy is going to milk this I told you so for months.

“Laine, there’s something I’ve been trying to tell you…” Jerry begins.

But as we turn the corner, if he’s still talking, I don’t hear a word. It’s easy to pick out our destination, even from a block away. One house glows as bright as a red carpet reception at a movie premier.

Music spills out from the swanky fold-back, floor-to-ceiling glass doors. Party people crowd the generous deck, drinks in hand, dancing, flirting, and getting their groove on. It’s an all-out bash—it’s the place everyone wants to be on warm, spring Friday night.

It’s where I used to want to be every night.

It’s Penn’s place.

I turn to Jerry, confused. He raises his hands slowly, palms down, like he’s some Cesar Milan, serene dog psychologist approaching a rabid rat terrier. My warm and fuzzy feelings of five minutes ago have been replaced with a pricking pang of realization.

“You knew. You knew this was Penn’s house, his party.”

“Now hear me out, Laine—”

“Hear you out? Are you kidding me? After hearing me rant about Penn Mitchell, my awful ex-boyfriend this morning at the tennis courts, you decide to take me to a party at his house? His house? A house full of people who probably think I’m a horrible, awful person because I broke the heart of their favorite guy. What in the world were you thinking? This is the most f-ed up way to end what I thought was an incredibly romantic first date…maybe the most romantic day of my life. How incredibly inconsiderate, Jerry. “

His carefree smile disappears in an instant. “Laine, I’m sorry. I wanted to tell you, but I didn’t think it would be such a big deal.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.