The Wrong Girl

by M. Piper

  I’ll gauge her reaction to us hanging out as friends on whether or not I give her any more details.

  “Where am I parking?” Levi asks as we pull into the parking lot.

  “Goodwill.” I smirk at him and he raises an eyebrow at me.

  “Goodwill?”

  “Yeah? Got a problem with it?” I challenge and he chuckles.

  “Not at all.” He swings into a spot in front of the store and turns off the engine. “So what are we doing here, Squirt? Because you look hot as fuck today and all I want to do is take you back to your place and try out all those sex toys I know an inner freak like you has to have.” His low tone sends a tingling need straight to my core and my mouth pops open at his words. If he only knew. “Sorry,” he chuckles low, almost a growl. “I turn into a beast around you with no manners. But…” he waves his hand in front of me. “Have you seen you?”

  I roll my eyes and pull my wallet out of my purse. Yanking out his ten dollar bill, I hold it out in front of him and he makes a face at me.

  “A contest. We each have ten dollars to buy the most inappropriate, out dated, awful outfit for our date tonight. We’re eating at this little truck stop diner just outside of town wearing said outfits, so make it good.”

  “A… You want me to go in there and buy something inappropriate? To wear in public?” He grins slowly and I stall, my eyes going wide at the possibilities.

  “Er…” I giggle. “Okay so maybe not as inappropriate as you’re thinking. Something a guy would wear on a date…”

  “And all I have is ten dollars?” His eyes narrow in on mine. “You know I like a challenge, right Squirt?”

  “I was hoping you’d say that.” I wave my bill in the air and wiggle my eyebrows. “Ready?”

  “Oh I was born ready.” He hops out of the car and runs to my side as I open my door and start to stand. “I’m going to need you to start letting me open these doors for you, Squirt.”

  “I’m a grown ass woman who can open her own doors,” I mutter, grinning and secretly in love with the fact that he’s insistent on opening doors for me.

  “I’m a fucking gentleman. You’re already taking my man card by paying for tonight’s date, the least you can do is wait for your door to be opened for you.” He rolls his eyes dramatically and I jut out my bottom lip, patting him on the cheek.

  “You poor thing.” I spin and start to walk away, leaving him and his manhood back at the Charger.

  I hear his feet running up behind me and before I can brace myself he’s got me swooped into his arms and is spinning me in the parking lot. I squeal with laughter and hold tight as he slows the spin and his face gets as close as possible.

  “You’re not like the Finley I remember,” he mumbles as he pushes his lips against mine, his arms holding me tight as he brings my feet back down to the pavement.

  “It’s still me, Levi,” I whisper and he chuckles.

  “Yes. It’s you. Sexy legs, sexy lips, sexy ass… but you have more spunk than I ever remember seeing.” I grin, tapping her on the nose. “I like it. Don’t lose it.”

  Grabbing my hand, he starts walking for the front door while I mull over his words. I had spunk when I was younger! He just never saw it because he didn’t hang out with me. I had friends. We had fun.

  “Did you expect me to be boring or something?” I blurt right as we’re getting to the door. He looks at me as he opens it for me and I walk in, waiting for an explanation.

  “I don’t know what I expected. You were always so quiet growing up. I figured you never liked me. I figured… I don’t know. I got the feeling you thought you were better than us,” he says, chuckling.

  “Oh,” I whisper. “I… I’m not, you know. I’ve never thought that.”

  He grabs my hand tightly and brings his free hand to my cheek, locking those eyes on mine. In the middle of Goodwill, everything around us fades away and I get lost in those eyes. Brilliant. Swimming with emotion. Words unspoken that should probably be left unspoken after all these years.

  “I know that now. I’m glad I was wrong about you, Finley.” He leans closer to me. “I love you’re your own person.” Stepping back slightly, he runs his hand through his hair. “I always watched from the sidelines and listened to what I was told, never having the balls to create my own personal opinion. All I could think about back then was that getting to run my tongue on every inch of your skin would be heaven.” My cheeks flush at the thought and he laughs, shaking his head with a curse. “Looking back I think it was jealousy, though, from your sister. I think she was always jealous that you got your dad’s attention. You were the tomboy who your dad loved to go fishing with. You were always the girl he talked about working in the Everglades when she got older.” He nudges me and I tuck a strand of hair behind my ear, glancing at the ground because I don’t know if I want to hear this right now. “Kat loves you, but I think she was just secretly jealous of you. I listened to a lot of bitching throughout the years about the ‘golden child,’” he laughs and I furrow my brows, glancing up at him. Before I can interject my questioning he holds his hand up. “She loves you, Finley. She just doesn’t understand. She’s her own breed, and thank God you’re your own.”

  I smile softly. It’s comforting being here with him. Levi. The Levi who knows more about my life than I probably give him credit for. He saw things I never had to tell him and heard things Kat never said. And he’s right about all of it.

  “You’re right,” I blurt and square my shoulders. “I am my own person. I’m a nerd who likes nature too much and drinks her coffee with more creamer than black sludge. I still rock out to boy bands when I’m cleaning my place and I’m in my pajamas by seven most nights.” I shrug. “You still want to date me?”

  He scrapes his teeth over his bottom lip and smirks at me, those beautiful eyes locked on mine like there’s a war brewing in that head of his.

  “I want to do more than date you, Finley.” He leans closer and the buzz of the business going on around us fades out. The man’s intoxicating. “I want to fuck you. I want to taste you. I want to own you.” He nips my earlobe. “And I will so many times you won’t be able to walk.” My knees start to shake and my breath hitches as he pulls away with a cocky look on that beautiful face, knowing full well my panties are soaked from just those few words. “Ready to do this?”

  My mouth drops open then closes a few times. Trying to form any sentence right now is not going to happen so I nod and blink through the insane lust that’s rolling through me.

  God, the man’s good.

  “We have fifteen minutes,” I blurt, almost forgetting one of the main rules. He barks out a laugh and slaps my ass.

  “It’s on, Squirt.” He takes off for his side of the store and I run for mine, searching through racks upon racks of clothing. Old clothing. Clothes that maybe were in style in the seventies.

  This is painful.

  I end up picking a mauve colored floral dress with short sleeves and the puffiest shoulder pads I could find. It’s hideous. And it hangs on me like heavy, expensive drapes hang in a home that hasn’t ever been allowed to have a speck of dust in it.

  I see Levi head for the dressing room with two minutes so spare and quickly pay for my outfit, which I was able to finish off with a bright white pair of grandma style heels, without him seeing it, then duck into a fitting room to change.

  When I emerge, he’s standing at the front door with a bag in his hands and a smirk on his face.

  The man outdid himself.

  “Oh my God,” I laugh, walking up to him. The bright blue blazer he’s wearing compliments the red and black checkered pants nicely. But it’s the t-shirt that does him in.

  “You paid money for that?” I laugh, pulling open the jacket to reveal an I’ve got Crabs shirt that’s obviously from a seafood shack nearby.

  “I did. It’s too comfortable, might actually be my new favorite shirt.” He smiles at me and looks me once over. “I never thought my grandma’s drapes woul
d be sexy.”

  “Hah!” I look down at the ill fitted dress. It’s itchy and I can’t help but wonder what the history of this dress is. Was someone murdered in it? Or was it bought for a wedding back in the day and never worn? As long as no one was killed in it I think I’m okay.

  I give him the address for the diner and relax back in the seat. This seat was incredibly comfortable on the drive to Goodwill, but now that we’re in these outfits I feel like I could crawl out of my skin.

  “I think I got the only material that makes me want to scratch my skin off,” I mumble, hiking up the hem of the dress and itching my thigh. I notice Levi glance over at my leg.

  “You could always just take it off,” he murmurs, his hand tight on the steering wheel like he’s actively trying not to touch me. I like seeing his reaction to me, even in this getup. I slap him in the arm and scoff.

  “No way in hell. This is going to be the best date ever. I hope you don’t get embarrassed easily.” I shift and fix my dress, sitting up straight and trying to ignore how much this thing is driving me crazy. “Because these outfits are pretty embarrassing.”

  He laughs and that dimple pops out again. I love when he’s so carefree like this.

  Hell, I love that I feel so carefree right now. He’s easy to be with. And he does things to my body without even touching me that no man’s been able to do. Ever.

  He pulls into a parking spot and turns in his seat. “You know I’m going to have to top this date next time, right?”

  “I’m just glad you want a next time after what is potentially the worst date ever.” I sigh, eyeballing the building that looks like it’s falling apart. Hell, is this place even open?

  “Hey, I’m having fun. And loving this random, quirky date.” He pops his door open and eyes me with a silent warning to stay put as he jogs to my side of the car.

  We make it inside the small diner and find a booth in the back corner. I just want to hide but Levi seems completely casual in his mismatched outfit. After the waitress comes over to take our order, she gives us both a strange look before walking away and I can’t help but laugh.

  “God, I wish I knew what she was thinking,” I whisper, giggling at the goofy expression on Levi’s face.

  “Probably how jealous of me she is.”

  “Oh please,” I laugh. “There’s nothing to be jealous of tonight,” I say, glancing down at my dress and cringe. “So bad.”

  “Sure, the dress is a little intense,” he says, clearing his through and laughing. “But that’s not what I’m talking about. I’m talking about a girl who planned this crazy date for us. Who’s forcing me to let her pay. And who, even though the dress she was forced to buy is ugly as sin, is still wearing a smile and walking around without a care in the world. That’s the girl I’d be jealous over.” I catch his eyes and the intense gaze he has on me right now is almost too much.

  A small smile comes to my lips.

  “Well thank you,” I whisper finally. “So,” I say, shifting in my seat and trying to get comfortable while wearing these curtains. “I’ve always wondered something and I’m not sure if it’s okay to ask or not…”I trail off trying to decide when he cocks his head at me.

  “Squirt, I’m an open book. There’s literally nothing you could ask me that would offend or upset me.”

  I smile and take a deep breath.

  “What happened to your mom? You never talk about her.” It’s harder than I thought it’d be asking the question, but my sister never said anything about it and I never had the balls to ask.

  He leans back in his seat and takes a long drink of water. I can’t tear my eyes from the muscles in his arms rippling as he sets his glass down. Even in the ridiculous getup he’s still sexy as hell.

  “She left when I was tiny. I don’t have any memories of her and I don’t care to make any.” He shrugs like it makes him no difference. Maybe it doesn’t.

  “Do you not care that she just walked away that easily? What about your dad? Weren’t they in love?”

  The laugh he lets out is more of an ‘aww Finley’s so naive’ laugh.

  “People don’t need to be in love to make a baby, Finley.”

  “I know that,” I blurt, my cheeks burning with embarrassment. “I just… I assumed…”

  “You assumed wrong. My mom left me on my dad’s doorstep with a note that she wasn’t coming back and not to try to find her. So he didn’t. It’s been just us ever since and I don’t think I care to ever know who the woman is.”

  “Wow,” I whisper. “I don’t know what’s worse, honestly. Never having a parent or having an awesome one and losing him way too early,” I mumble.

  “Definitely losing one.” He reaches across the table and takes my hand in his. “Finley I’ve said it before but I will say it again. And it probably won’t be the last time. I’m so fucking sorry I wasn’t there…”he trails off but he doesn’t need to finish his sentence.

  “It’s ok, Levi. It’s over and done with.” I shrug. It’s not like he would have been there supporting me, personally, anyway. He’d have been there for my sister. I would have been too shy to talk to him…

  We fall into a comfortable silence, both of us probably deep in thought. When our food comes the conversation picks up and by the time dinner’s over I’ve forgotten completely that we’re dressed like assholes from the eighty’s and in turn have spent the time laughing and smiling with a man I’ve craved for years. There’s something to the art of becoming the worst dressed person in the room. You no longer feel like maybe everyone’s looking at you or maybe they’re not. It’s not a guessing game. You know they are; you know they’re talking, and you fucking rock it.

  It was freeing, really.

  He parks the car in front of a house on my street. A house that I’ve noticed every time I drive past it. It’s massive with a huge wrap around porch and shutters that look like they actually work. None of that decorative shit here, those bad boys actually close. He smiles over at me when I finally glance back at him and I see the sparkle in those eyes.

  Eyes that trap me in every time he looks at me.

  “I thought I’d walk you home tonight.” He kills the engine and nods to the house. “This is the house we all live in every year.”

  “All? How many of you guys live here?” I glance up at the two story house and wonder if they’re living like sardines in there.

  “Five of us. There are plenty of rooms and couches.” He laughs. “You want the grand tour?”

  “Aren’t they all asleep?”

  The laugh that earns from him makes me cringe in embarrassment again for the second time tonight.

  “Finley, it’s eight at night. On a Friday.”

  “Right. I guess not everyone’s as lame as me.” I giggle.

  “I’ll break you of that.” He reaches across the car and presses his lips to mine briefly. “Fuck, you taste delicious.”

  “Even in my ugly dress?”

  “Especially in that ugly dress. Now, do you want the grand tour or not?”

  “Yes, I absolutely want the tour.” I go to pop open my door but he screams at me.

  “Me, woman! That’s my job!” He bolts out of his car and runs to my side, opening the door for me as I laugh.

  “Thank you,” I say, tucking my purse on my shoulder. “But you don’t have to do that every single time, you know? I get it, and I know you’re a gentleman. But honestly, Levi…”

  “I taught him those manners. Glad to see they stuck,” I hear a man’s voice and my eyes fly to the house. A man, an older looking version of Levi, is sitting on the front porch swing. I know this man. I’ve only met him a handful of times in my life, but he was always very nice to me and my sister.

  “Don’t listen to him,” Levi laughs, gripping my hand in his and heading to the porch. “Dad, I’m sure you remember Kat’s little sister Finley?” Levi doesn’t let go of my hand as he introduces me to the familiar man.

  “Hi, nice to see you again, Mr. Walsh,�
�� I say, smiling at him and shaking his hand. He’s strong, and if he were any younger the man could pass for Levi’s twin.

  “I hope he’s treating you right.” He glances at Levi.

  “I am, Dad,” he says, shoving his hands into his pockets. “I’m giving her the tour before walking her home.” He takes my hand again and I can sense the nervousness rolling through him.

  “Do I want to know why you two look like me on my first date thirty years ago?” He chuckles and I glance down at our outfits.

  “If you wore a shirt like this thirty years ago I’d be shocked. And proud.” Levi beams at his dad and I can see their relationship is a good one.

  “We had a Goodwill date. Each of us only spent ten bucks on these outfits!” I chirp and Levi’s grinning at me like he’s proud. He’s got nothing to be proud of tonight. I look horrible and took him on a cheap date!

  “Well that’s cute…” His dad laughs. “Holler if you need anything. I’ll be heading up to bed in a little while. It was good meeting you, Finley.” He smiles at me and takes his spot back on the rocking chair and Levi opens the screen door for us.

  “Right this way,” he says, motioning with his arm inside the beach house.

  I’m not sure what I expected when I heard that five grown men lived here. I assumed I’d be walking into a man cave full of empty beer bottles and trash everywhere. But it’s not… It’s nice. Open. Fresh. Clean. Mature.

  “Wow,” I whisper, following Levi into a wide-open living space. “This is beautiful.” My fingers trail along a statue that’s sitting in the middle of the foyer and he laughs.

  “This is my dad being bored during down time. The man doesn’t know how to sit still.”

  “Looks like he’s doing a pretty good job at it out there on that porch.” I chuckle and Levi grunts. “Whatever the reason, the house looks amazing, Levi. This is the most beautiful place I’ve seen in a long time. It’s the perfect beach house.”