Free Newly Exposed by Meghan Quinn

that,” Scout interrupted my thoughts.
    “No,” I replied, “I mean, she just doesn’t seem like the kind of person to do that.”
    “You’d be surprised by the women in this industry. They’re never what you think they are; they’re always wanting something from you,” Scout said, while he looked down the hallway. “It’s why we don’t have girlfriends; we’re for show…we’re glorified trick ponies. Women only want us for our bodies, not our minds.”
    As I listened to Scout, my eye caught the lit computer screen of someone lounging out by the pool. There could only be one person out there right now, and it had to be Solo, the one person who I thought broke all of Scout’s theories about women in the industry.  
    It was almost sad, to hear Scout’s theory on his life. After hanging out with the guys for a little bit, I knew for damn sure that I wasn’t going to be caught up in the “new girl every night” routine the other guys had. I had my heart set on one person and one person alone, who I knew would be different than everyone else. My gut never steered me wrong.
    “Are you coming?” Scout asked, as he got out of his chair and walked toward the living room.  
    “Nah, I think I’ll pass for tonight. Thanks, though.”
    Scout tracked my line of vision out to the pool and shook his head. “Let it go, man. You’re only going to drive yourself crazy.”
    I’d rather drive myself crazy than never know what could have been.  

Chapter Eight

    Solo

    A smiled was plastered on my face as Jim once again pulled the wool over Dwight’s eyes. The relationship between Jim and Dwight on The Office was just so perfect.   I couldn’t get enough of their antics. I was just about to start a new episode when a warm hand pressed against my bare shoulder.  
    I jumped in place and turned to see Adam smiling down at me.  
    “God, you can’t just walk up on people like that. You could scare them half to death,” I said, as I pulled out my ear buds.
    “If I scared you, would you cuddle up next to me for protection?”
    I looked him up and down and said, “No, you idiot, if you scared me, I would most likely cock punch you and run away.”
    He twisted his lips and said, “Hmm, not exactly what I was looking for.”
    “What are you doing out here?” I asked, shutting the top of my laptop.  
    He shrugged his shoulders and sat on the lounge chair next to mine, after pulling in closer so we were only a few inches apart. The man was persistent, but subtle…at times.
    “Things were going to start to get crazy in there with the guys. Those girls were wearing short dresses and the dance moves they were taking part in weren’t exactly PG. It’s really not my scene.”
    “You don’t like partying?”
    “Not really,” he said, looking up at the dark sky. “I’m more of a homebody…you know, watch a movie and eat some popcorn kind of guy.”
    I was surprised by his candidness. I knew he was different, and I hated to admit it, but a little part of me was happy that he didn’t want to partake in one of the many parties the guys had each week. It made him that much more real to me.  
    “I’m the same way,” I admitted. “I don’t mind having a drink every now and then, but Nolly and the guys make it an evening ritual. I don’t understand where they get the energy. I mean, I’m not some old maid, but still, I like to be in bed at a decent hour.”
    Adam laughed and then pushed his lips over his teeth so it looked like he had no teeth and said in an old man voice while waving his fist, “Damn, youngins and their party hootin’ and hollerin’.”
    I laughed and shook my head. “I said I wasn’t an old maid.”
    “No, you’re definitely not,” he replied, looking me up and down. His gaze landed on my attire, and with his hand, he pulled up the fabric of my pajama pants and said, “Ninja Turtles? Could you be any cooler?”
    “I don’t think I could,” I teased. “Kind of maxing myself out