Chapter 118

Sofia wasn’t sure how she’d ended up in such a disastrous situation, but she knew there were several things she needed to sort out—and fast. Not only for her own comfort, but everyone else involved.

“So,” a confused Jordan said. “You wanted to talk. What’s up?”

Sofia chewed her lip. This was a rather mortifying conversation to be having, but it needed to be done. She wasn’t sure what Natalie and Jordan’s relationship was, but she also wanted to clear up this ‘bet’ that she’d made with Natalie—and whether it would be a problem with Jordan. She doubted it, since Jordan seemed lackadaisical about Sammy and others, but that was definitely the sort of thing best talked about beforehand. Not only for the sake of her friendship with Jordan, but team cohesion. The party splitting up because of complicated interpersonal dynamics could easily happen, considering Natalie’s class. Not that it seemed likely to—just that it could.

“It’s about Natalie,” Sofia said.

Jordan kept a neutrally polite expression. “It is?” There wasn’t a hint of sarcasm, but Sofia could read it anyways. Jordan had always had a dry sort of humor.

She huffed. “Look, I know I was being kind of obvious back there. I’m sure you think I was jealous or something.”

Jordan’s eyebrows raised, as if she hadn’t thought Sofia would address what had happened so directly. “It wasn’t, then?” she asked carefully.

“Certainly not,” Sofia said. “Or ... not exactly.” She rubbed her face with both hands. “Look, I’m still working it out myself. I can confidently assure you that I’m not in love with her or something absurd like that, or even pursuing a relationship. I might have been slightly jealous, though.”

“Uh-huh,” Jordan said. “And that makes sense to you?”

Sofia glared, but it was a reasonable contradiction. Why would she be jealous if she wasn’t interested in Natalie? “It’s childish,” Sofia said, “but this was supposed to be my event. I know how egocentric that sounds. And she was being—I don’t know, friendlier than usual. So when I saw her with Sammy, barely paying attention to me anymore, I got irritated. And it dragged up a few other annoyances.”

Namely, how easily Natalie had always handled women. Sofia herself had always been rather terrible at it. Half because of disinterest—of the practical sort, wanting to focus on her career—and half because she simply wasn’t good at ‘wooing’. It seemed Natalie had always managed it effortlessly, which bugged Sofia for reasons she couldn’t entirely put her finger on. If she was completely honest with herself, Natalie’s appraisal that Sofia was ‘just mad that Natalie was better than her at something’ might have a hint of truth, even if it was decidedly not the whole, or even the majority of the explanation. Certainly, though, her decades-long competitive streak with Natalie complicated things.

“But that’s besides the point,” Sofia said. “I promise I’m not trying to pursue Nat—and I certainly don’t care she’s hooking up with Sammy. Or you, or anyone else.”

Jordan’s brow furrowed. “Me and Natalie? Sorry?” There was even a hint of amusement, as if she were whimsically perplexed by Sofia’s words. She was a far, far better liar than Natalie. If Sofia hadn’t received confirmation from Natalie herself, and hadn’t had her own major suspicions, then she might actually have thought Jordan and Natalie weren’t together in any way besides friends—because Jordan’s reaction was exceedingly convincing.

“She told me,” Sofia said. “Or, rather, I tricked her into telling me. It was a bit manipulative. I shouldn’t have.”

Jordan’s faked confusion disappeared, and she pursed her lips. “Well, I’m glad you recognize that. But I didn’t expect it to stay a secret forever. Especially not to our roommate. I get the feeling I’m missing a lot of context. Go ahead?”

Sofia breathed in. The full explanation, then; they’d gotten sidetracked.

She hesitated, despite having just braced herself. She forced herself to barrel forward.

“Natalie and I hooked up. In the locker room, just now.”

The absurd statement broke through Jordan’s collected demeanor. Her eyes widened. “Wait. What?”