Hypocrite

By Tasha Harper

Sophia is everyones role model. She leads the Bible studies, speaks at events, and teaches others to follow God in a world surrounded by temptation. But when temptation steps in front of Sophia, she finds herself not only giving into it, but she also finds herself enchanted by it. Despite his bad influence, she finds herself head over heels in love with Derek. Now Sophia faces the bigger questions in life. Which part of her heart should she follow? Is there a way that she can have both her true loves, God and Derek, or must she live her life forever as a hypocrite?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Nov 20, 2017
• ISBN: 9781543466911

Book preview

HYPOCRITE

Tasha Harper

Copyright © 2017 by Tasha Harper.

Library of Congress Control Number:     2017917698

ISBN:                Hardcover               978-1-5434-6689-8

                          Softcover                 978-1-5434-6690-4

                          eBook                        978-1-5434-6691-1

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to any actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Thinkstock are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Thinkstock.

Rev. date: 11/20/2017

Xlibris

1-888-795-4274

www.Xlibris.com

770365

CONTENTS

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Chapter 19

Chapter 20

Chapter 21

Chapter 22

Note From The Author

Epilogue

for my person

CHAPTER 1

She could feel her fingers tightening around the leather of the steering wheel as she pressed the accelerator harder. She glanced down for a moment at the speedometer as she watched it slowly climb to seventy miles per hour. She felt the tension leave her body as she reached for the dial to turn up the radio, leaving all her worries behind her on the highway.

She glanced down at the clock even though she already knew she was late. He was going to be mad, but she would deal with that later. Checking the mirror, she reached up and pulled loose the tie that was holding her hair in a ponytail. Shaking her head as she ran her fingers through her hair, she attempted to adjust her hair. Smiling as she remembered what was coming, she slowed down a little, flipped her turn signal on, and took the corner practically on two wheels as she accelerated again.

As she reached the end of the street, she forcibly slowed down, careful not to hit the cars parked along the side of the road. Even from inside the car, she could feel the energy that drove her and the freedom that was calling her name. As she slithered her car discreetly around the side of the house to the back entrance, she looked up at the house—their house.

The house was painted a light green, with windows towering in each direction. The back patio wrapped around the entire house, overlooking the pool area that was currently covered in lights, chatter, and people. As she quietly parked her car in the back garage, careful to go unnoticed, she thought of an excuse for why she was late.

Coming around the corner of the garage, she quickly shot across the sidewalk to the side door, where she quickly and quietly let herself in. Looking around the back hallway, she peered in each direction before rushing down the pearl-covered floor to the left. After reaching the end of the hallway, she quickly darted over next to the stairwell, where she found herself running up the stairs before being spotted. For a moment, she thought she heard someone call her name, but she instantly made the decision to keep going. Rounding the corner of the indoor balcony lining the edges of the house, she reached a dark-black door through which she entered.

Looking around the room, she quickly flipped on a light and rushed over to her closet to pull out the dress she had laid out earlier today. It was a sleek black dress that clung closely to her body. It covered the right shoulder of her body slightly before coming across horizontally, ending under her left arm. It clung tightly to her thighs, leaving the rest of her legs exposed.

As she finished throwing the dress on and checking her hair, she found herself completely startled by a voice from the dark corner toward the door.

Sophia, you’re late, the voice said smoothly as a man stepped forward.

I know … she said, taking a step forward toward the voice. I—

Cutting her off, he shook his head. You were with them. As he stepped out of the darkness, he smiled but looked her over with disapproving eyes.

Yes, she said, inhaling slightly as she met his gaze.

We have had this conversation before, he said as he wrapped his arm tightly around her waist, pulling him to her.

I know, she said, running her hands through his hair before pulling him toward her. I am sorry.

It is rude to keep our guests waiting, he said, pulling his head away to meet her eyes, but I suppose they can wait one more minute. I mean, this is my favorite dress to see you in.

She nodded as she felt him push her against the dresser as her lips met his. She ran her fingers through his hair, desperate to feel his body against hers. Breathing deeply as she took him, she felt him pull away from her before it had even begun. Sighing, she shook her head.

I have to tap the keg, he said. Are you coming?

Running her hands through her hair, she nodded and followed.

Shoes? he asked, raising one eyebrow as he opened the door for her.

I don’t need any, she stated. It’s our house, I can do what I want.

He nodded as he followed her out the door.

The music was so loud she could feel the house shaking. As she looked over the indoor-balcony edge, she felt as if all eyes were on her. Derek continued to walk away, leaving her behind as he took the stairs two by two. As she slowly made her way down the stairs, holding on to the guardrail, she heard someone hollering for Derek, most likely to help with the keg. Looking around, she scanned the crowd, taking note of the people present.

As she made her way across the floor to a group of girls making mixed drinks, she felt his eyes following her. She smiled knowing that he was watching no one else in the room but her. Careful not to look his way, she found a glass, poured in the alcohol, and tipped the glass so that the liquid met her lips. She felt it carefully flow through her body as she felt herself beginning to let go.

Have you been here the entire time? a voice rang through the air, as she turned around to find her friend Aubrey standing behind her.

Where else would I be? Sophia chimed back, smiling. There is no party without me!

That is true. Aubrey smiled back as she held her red plastic cup up to Sophia’s. Let’s get this party started!

Just like that, nothing else mattered. The music blared around her as she mingled, talking endlessly to people about nothing at all. She found herself happily lost with no notion of responsibility or time. When she began to dance, she could feel the music holding on to her soul, rocking her back and forth. She let her arms move freely and her body spin in circles. She smiled to the ceiling, knowing that freedom was hers. In fact, she almost forgot about Derek until she turned and found herself looking straight into his paralyzing eyes.

Having a good time? he yelled next to her ear.

Smiling foolishly, she answered, The best.

Let’s not stop now then, he yelled as he hoisted her into his arms and began walking toward the sliding glass door in the back. She could feel his hard biceps as she clung close to him. She smelled the familiar scent as it rushed through her nostrils. She buried her head in his chest. For a moment, she could not hear the raging music, the hooting and hollering, and the chattering. She could not feel the eyes following her or the warmth of liquor pulsating throughout her body. The only thing she was aware of was him.

As they stood beside the pool, she felt him slow down his pace as he gently placed her in a lounge chair. What are we doing? she said, throwing her head back, laughing.

Pulling his shirt over his head as he exposed his abdominal muscles, he gave her a boyish grin that so rarely appeared. We are going for a swim.

Standing up, throwing her arms out, she stated, Not in this dress!

Frowning, he looked around to the crowd of people in and out of the pool. Well, I guess it’s just me and them. He smiled as he took off his shorts until he was down to just his underwear. Shrugging and glancing at her innocently, he jumped into the water.

Rolling her eyes as she placed her hands on her hips, she yelled, I’m going back inside! With that, she smiled at him, turned on her heel, and headed in to find another drink.

The party continued into the early hours of the morning. People came and went as they pleased. The music pumped on until finally the last people that were in the house crashed on the floor, couches, and guest bedrooms.

Sophia had just entered the dark bedroom when she heard the music stop, and she knew the party was over. For an instant, her stomach clenched until she heard the door behind her creak open as Derek stepped in.

As he snaked his arms around from behind her, he whispered in her ear, You are always the best part of the party.

As she turned in his arms, she smiled. Lucky for you, you are the first one to say that to me today.

Pulling his face back to look at her, he stated seriously, I better be the only one.

Rolling her eyes, she laughed. You are.

And with that, their lips met as he slowly used his fingers to push her dress down and off her right shoulder.

*     *     *

As Sophia slowly opened her eyes, she felt the throbbing pain in her head. Reaching over to her nightstand, she searched for a bottle. Sitting up, she grabbed a partially filled glass of water, opened the bottle, and popped the Advil into her mouth.

Leaning back against the headboard, she glanced down at Derek. He was still sleeping, breathing quietly, as his bare chest rose and fell with each breath. His hair was messed up, and he had one leg kicked out to the side. He looked peaceful.

Sighing quietly, she searched the covers for her phone. Clicking the side button, she brought the screen to life, which instantly displayed many missed calls and texts from people. Glancing through them, she decided she had better make some calls.

Slowly slipping out of the covers, careful not to wake Derek, she slipped out the door and down the stairs. Looking around, she carefully assessed the severity of the mess and the number of people left at her house. Slipping out the sliding glass door to the pool area, she hit a few buttons on her phone and put it up to her ear.

Hey! Sorry I missed your call last night! she said, trying to sound perky but quiet.

No problem, was just having a bonfire with the group and thought maybe you wanted to join us, the voice on the other end said. What were you doing?

Oh, nothing, just fell asleep early, she lied. Was it a good time? Lots of people?

Oh, you know, about twenty of us. You were missed. Cara was having a rough night and could have used some of your words of encouragement, but she will be fine.

What is going on with Cara? she asked.

Another Tyler thing, the voice said, sounding exasperated.

Well, I don’t know what more to tell her, honestly. I have told her multiple times no one should date someone that they can’t see themselves with for the rest of their life. That is the entire point of dating, to find the person you are going to marry. There is too much temptation to mess around with dating if you cannot see yourself with that person forever.

The voice on the other end laughed. You see, that’s why we needed you last night. You always have the best points and arguments to help make the right decision. After a pause, the voice said, Are you coming tonight?

Yes, Sophia said as she turned around. Instantly she felt a brush of cold run through her as she noticed Derek in the doorway for the first time. His eyes met hers, and knowingly, she said, At least, I am going to try. Listen, I have another call coming in. I will text you later! And she hung up.

Who was that? he said cryptically.

No one that you know, she replied. Just a friend.

No one that I know. Just a friend, he repeated in a monotone voice. One of them, huh? He turned around to walk away.

Rushing to his side, she reached for his hand, which stopped him. I know you do not understand, but it would be really great if you would just try.

Turning to her with fire in his eyes, he said, I told you, I am done having this fight. I am not going to try to understand why you have this whole entire life that I know nothing about. I am not going to try to understand why you are one way with me and another way with these people. I will not try to understand ever. I want nothing to do with this!

Feeling the shame, exhaustion, and frustration all hit her at once, she let go of his hand. I have told you I can’t explain it to you. You are more than welcome to be a part of my entire life, but you have to be willing to accept—

Before