Out of Line (Out of Line #1)(21)
Author: Jen McLaughlin

I crossed my arms. “That’s not playing fair and you know it.”

“Neither is acting like you’re my protector. We’re friends.” She struggled with the beer, trying to open it. Her face turned red as she twisted as hard as she could, and she bit down on her lip. “How the hell do you open this thing?”

I sighed and took it from her. With a simple twist, the beer was open. I held it out to her, but caught her gaze. “I still don’t like doing this.”

“I know.”

She rose to her tiptoes and kissed my cheek. She had to stop doing that shit to me. It wasn’t good for either one of us. Her soft lips teased me, and it took a hell of a lot more control than I thought I had to not turn my head and catch her lips with mine. It would be so easy to do.

“Do you now?”

She nodded, her lips brushing against my cheek. “But you need to get over yourself, open a beer, and come watch a movie with me.”

With that, she dropped back to her feet and sashayed out of the kitchen, her hips swinging and her red hair looking way too enticing. Hell, she looked too damn touchable. My fingers twitched, and my whole body screamed at me to chase after her and claim those soft lips. To make her mine in every way.

Yeah. Get over it.

Easier said than done.

Chapter 10

I walked into the living room, my heart racing at light speed due to the fact I’d just kissed Finn. It was on the cheek, but still. It was a kiss. I tipped back another sip, cringing at the taste. Apparently, I didn’t like beer, but I was beyond caring. I wanted to relax and enjoy my new freedom, and who better to do it with than Finn, the one guy I trusted? The one guy who made me feel like I could trust him, and let go of all my doubts and fears. Let go of my suspicions even.

He made me want to have fun. Be free.

Be someone else entirely.

Someone he could want like I wanted him.

My phone buzzed, and I glanced at it. It was Dad. I ignored the call, then shot off a quick text telling him I couldn’t answer because I was in the library. I felt a little bit guilty at the lie…but really. He needed to back off.

When Finn came into the living room, his beer pressed to his lips and his head tipped back, I couldn’t tear my eyes away. His Adam’s apple bobbed as he swallowed, and he pinned me down with his penetrating stare. He flopped down next to me on the couch and rested his feet on the coffee table.

“What now?” he asked, not looking at me. “Why are you staring me like that?”

“I’m not staring at you. I was just watching you.”

I averted my eyes, taking the chance to shove my phone back in my pocket, and inwardly cursed my heating cheeks. I used the time I needed to regain my composure after getting caught staring at him to survey his home. Everything looked way too fashionable, from the bamboo rug to the grey couch. And he had curtains. What kind of surfer dude cared about curtains?

A neatly made, and huge, bed sat in the corner of the room. It had a light blue bedspread and the pillowcases matched. Opposite of the bed was the kitchen, and his black surfboard leaned up against the wall next to his bed. His perfectly ironed military uniform hung in the open closet, along with a ton of t-shirts and board shorts. On top of the closet rung, a shelf held a bunch of socks and boxers. It looked so neat and orderly. So unlike Finn.

It looked like he even folded his socks. Who did that?

“Did you decorate this place?” I turned back to him. He sat next to me, doing something on his phone. His brow was furrowed and his fingers flew over the screen. “It doesn’t feel like…you.”

He threw a quick glance across his apartment and shoved his phone into his pocket. “No. It came furnished.”

“Ah. That explains it.”

“Explains what, exactly?” He looked over at me, his lips pursed.

“It just doesn’t seem like the way you’d decorate your house. It’s too…girly.”

He grinned. “Worried I’m hiding a wife somewhere in here?”

“Maybe.” I stood up and crossed the room, stopping in front of his closet. I ran my hand over the crisp cotton sleeve of his shirt, my heart twisting at the thought of him wearing it in battle. “I forget sometimes that you’re in the Marines. Why don’t you live on base? Do you like it? Will you get sent overseas?”

“Slow down, Ginger. I can’t keep up.” He stood up and approached me, stopping at an appropriate distance for friends. I couldn’t help wishing that for once he’d stop pushing me away and instead pull me closer. “I don’t live on base because I don’t want to. I hate base housing and hate the barracks even more. Yes, I like it.” He picked up a piece of my hair, toying with it. “And yes, I have gone on deployment before, but I haven’t fought yet.”

When he rolled the piece of hair between his fingers, tugging gently, I shivered. As if he sensed it, his grip on my curl tightened, then he dropped it.

I turned to him. “That doesn’t answer my question. Will you get sent over there any time soon?”

I held my breath. God, please no. Just the idea of Finn in harm’s way was enough to make me want to hurl. What if he got injured or…no. I couldn’t finish that thought. Ever. He wouldn’t go over, and he would stay safe. The most dangerous things he would ever do would be surfing and riding his bike.

“I suppose it’s likely. I’ve heard word of my unit possibly getting sent out sometime in the summer.” He leaned against the wall and crossed his ankles. He took another swig of his beer, so I did the same. The thought of him going to war was enough to drive me to drink anything. “So I guess anything is possible.”

I swallowed hard. “I hope you don’t go.”

“It’s part of the job.”

“Still.”

Our gazes latched, and for once he didn’t back off or turn away. “Don’t worry about me. If I do leave, you probably won’t even remember my name after a while.”

I set my empty beer bottle down and smacked his arm as hard as I could. “Not remember you? What the hell is the matter with you? Of course I’ll remember you.” I shoved his shoulders, wanting to hurt him for insinuating I was so flaky I would forget all about him the second he left, but he simply raised a brow at me. “Of course I’ll care.”

He finished his beer and set his down too. “No, you won’t. You’ll move on with your life and be fine. You’ll probably marry Cory and have little Ginger babies.”