“Hi,” I mumble, not interested in making friends with them.
Both of them acknowledge me with a chin lift.
“Tinsley,” Finley says with a teasing tone.
He drops his bag and grabs Tinsley. A blush overtakes her face as he pulls her into the middle of the parking lot. He holds her close and slow dances with her there, not a care in the world about who's watching, singing loudly enough for those around to hear. His voice is raspy but alluring.
Some of the boys around point and mock them, but they don’t care. They continue to dance while the other three engage in conversation.
I make sure Reed and Keaton aren’t paying attention and look at V. “I didn’t know they were a thing.”
“They’re not,” she tells me with a raised brow.
“Really?” I ask in disbelief.
“Really.”
“But….” I look back at them, totally entranced with each other. “He has no idea, does he?”
“Not a clue.” She sighs. “But this is their thing. Whenever a song comes on that he loves, he grabs her and dances, fast or slow, no matter where they are.”
“Poor girl,” I murmur.
“Just wait. It gets better,” V says sarcastically.
As soon as the song ends, Finley takes a step back, bows, and kisses Tinsley’s hand. Then he spins toward his bag. Tinsley starts slowly making her way back towards us, side-eyeing Finley. After he grabs his bag, he goes to stand with Keaton, Reed, and Sterling, who have given V and me a little space. A girl with a bouncy ponytail runs up to him, throws her arms around his neck, and kisses him.
Tinsley’s face falls, but she recovers so quickly that one wouldn’t notice unless they were looking. All the while, the guys look completely oblivious to her pain, cheering Finley on while he’s still lip-locked with the girl.
“Told you,” V says with disdain.
“Fuck him,” I mutter.
Tinsley finally makes it to us.
“Is it okay if I ask Reed if I can ride with you guys, V? I don’t feel like waiting around until they’re ready,” she asks without making eye contact.
“Of course,” V says softly.
T takes a deep breath, almost preparing herself for battle before turning to face the guys.
My heart hurts for her. I can’t help but reach out and grab her arm. “Wait, how about I ask for you?” I offer, trying to spare her feelings anyway I can.
“Great idea,” V offers cheerfully. “How about you and I slip into my car while Sage takes one for the team?” She reaches for Tinsley and starts dragging her towards the car.
Victoria shoots me a look of gratitude and understanding. It hits me then that she read my mind. It’s almost like we’ve known each other for years instead of the short time we actually have.
I wait until they’re both safely tucked inside before I turn and march towards the guys.
“Yates,” I holler.
Both Reed and Keaton turn around to face me. They share a look, then stare back at me.
“Yes?” Keaton takes a step towards me with his friendly smile.
“Tinsley’s riding with V and me. Just thought you should know,” I tell them both but hold eye contact with Reed.
“Is that so? And who said that was okay?” Reed drawls.
It’s obvious that he doesn’t plan on Tinsley riding anywhere with me or Victoria.
“Your sister.” I turn to walk away.
“Yeah, I don’t think so.” He chuckles.
“Not up for discussion. Don’t worry, I won’t corrupt her too much,” I yell over my shoulder while giving him the bird.
I slide into the back of the car and shut the door. “Ready,” I tell them while I click my seat belt in place.
“Nice touch,” V tells me between laughs. “Giving them the finger.”
That makes Tinsley start giggling.
“It felt right.” I shrug.
I look out the windshield at Keaton and Reed arguing in the parking lot.
“Let’s go before they register that we’re leaving,” Tinsley mumbles as her eyes lock on Finley.
Victoria starts to ease forward, but before she can move too far, Keaton jogs over to us. Reed looks as if he wants to follow, but Finley and Sterling each grab a shoulder, Sterling whispering in his ear.
Victoria slams on the brakes to avoid hitting Keaton. He runs to the back door and attempts to open it, finding it locked. Victoria rolls the back window down enough for me to talk to him.
“What do you want, Keat?” Tinsley says before I can speak.
“Can you open the door and give me a ride to the party?”
“You’re going to let me go?” She lights up.
“Yep. Now let me in.”
Once he’s seated next to me, Victoria continues to exit the parking lot. Keaton looks out the back window, drawing my eyes in the same direction.
Reed stands, staring after the car. Keaton turns to me, giving me a small smile.
“Reed thinks Tinsley is still a child,” he whispers to me as the girls up front talk. “If he had his way, she’d never leave the house.”
“You disagree?” I whisper back.
“I think she’s a sophomore, and she deserves to have a high school experience. It wasn’t until you came here that I realized we’re holding her back. That’s not to say I want her to do the things I did last year, but I don’t want her to look back and regret having two overprotective brothers. “
I give him a smile, leaning closer to him. “You’re a great brother.”
“To Tinsley, maybe. Reed doesn’t think so.”
I shrug. “Reed will get over it. He can’t be her father and brother. He’s taken that father role, so that means you get to be the brother. Don’t waste it. Time is one of the only things you can never get back.”
“You two done making out back there?” Tinsley giggles.
I jerk back from Keaton, realizing our foreheads were touching as we whispered.
“No… we weren’t…,” I stammer.
“I’m kidding. You should see your face. We’re going in. You coming?”
I turn and reach for the handle, but Keaton grabs my arm.
“We’ll be in soon. V, can you keep an eye on her?” Tinsley glares at him but softens when he continues. “Stop that, T. You know Reed is already going to have my ass. I need to at least make sure one of your friends is with you at all times tonight. It might be the only thing that’ll save my life.”
She smiles at him. “I know, Keat. Thank you for this. Love you.”
“Love you too, Tin Tin.”
They exit the car, but Victoria leans back in, tossing me her keys. “You good?”
I nod, and she and Tinsley head off.
Once we’re alone, Keaton turns in his seat, putting his back to the door.
“I had no idea they were planning to do that to you. I know you have no reason at all to believe me, but it’s the God’s honest truth. As soon as I saw Ingram pour the drink on you, I ran after you. I wanted to make sure you were okay. I left the clothes right inside the door, like I said I would. I should have waited for you outside, but I didn’t think you would appreciate that. Had I been there, I could have stopped them. Anyways, I just wanted to let you know that I’m extremely sorry for what my brother and my friends did to you. They know I have a soft spot for you. That’s the only reason I can think of that they didn’t tell me. Shit, I’m fucking this up, aren’t I?”