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Tyler softened. He felt awkward. “There’s really no need.”
“I’m just looking out for you,” Finn said. “It seems like you need someone to do that.”
Tyler’s throat was blocked suddenly by a lump like a boulder. He stepped back without a word. As Finn entered the house, Tyler glanced across the driveway and saw Holden in the kitchen. Their gazes met. Tyler closed the door.
Finn walked down the hall to the kitchen and placed the box on the counter. “I got you these too.” He turned around and held out the plastic package with a shy smile. They were stump socks, thick ply. Tyler stared at them. “There’s a lady on YouTube,” Finn said. “She makes these great videos. She was demonstrating these socks and saying that they pad your leg if you have shrinkage and I wondered if your pain was caused by your socket being too big and…” He stopped, blushing. “I’m sorry. I know nothing about it but I was trying to educate myself. Sorry if I’m way off base.”
Tyler swallowed. “You’re not.” He took the package and looked at it. The socks were thicker than any he had now and might be just what he needed. He glanced up at Finn. “Thanks. This is probably the best present anyone’s ever bought me.” He gave an unsteady laugh, not sure if he was going to cry or not.
Finn stepped forward. He clapped a hand on Tyler’s shoulder. He seemed about to hug him, but thought better of it. “I’m glad.”
“Would you like some coffee?” Tyler wasn’t sure he wanted Finn to stay but it was only polite. And besides, Finn was a great guy, someone he could be friends with if he could only let him in.
“Sure,” Finn said.
Tyler had a jug freshly made. He rested his crutches against the counter and poured two cups before he twisted around to give one to Finn. “Sugar and cream?”
“No thanks, just black.”
“Go through.” Tyler gestured to the living room. He knew he couldn’t carry his own mug while using his crutches and he saw that Finn did too, because he reached past Tyler and took the cup, carrying them both into the living room. Tyler followed him in. Finn sat on the couch, placing both mugs on the coffee table and Tyler sat opposite him in his favorite chair.
“How’s it going with your landlord?”
Tyler sighed. “He said sorry for trying to throw me out.”
Finn arched a brow. “He did? That’s great.”
“No, it’s not. He only did it because I threatened to tell the press where he was hiding out.”
Finn kept a neutral expression on his face.
“I’m not usually such a terrible person,” Tyler said, because Finn’s opinion of him was suddenly all important.
“I know that,” Finn said softly. “I’m a good judge of character. You’re hurting and you’re trying to find the best way out of that.”
Once more, Tyler had to swallow the lump in his throat. “I offered to fix up the house. To make up for being such an asshole. I’m not sure he gave me an answer or not. He was pretty reluctant to have me over there.” He laughed weakly.
Finn smiled. “A project might be just what you need. I could help out.” He glanced across to the house and his face darkened. “Although, actually…” he trailed off.
Tyler regarded him. “You okay?”
“Yeah.” Finn rubbed a hand over his face and blew out his breath. “I lived in that house for a spell when I first came to town.”
Tyler remained silent. Something bad was coming. He could see it by the agony on his new friend’s face. Finn sighed. He shifted on the couch, squeezing his hands together in his lap. “It brings back bad memories. I had to really steel myself to come over here today.”
“I really appreciate that you did,” Tyler said in a low voice.
Finn bit his lip. “I was hiding out. From an ex. Dominic. He… found me eventually and he…he tried to kill me. And Brandon shot him. There in the house.”
Tyler stared at him. He couldn’t believe his ears. He wondered if Holden knew. Maybe he had got the house cheap because of what had happened there. He couldn’t imagine anyone wanting to buy it. “Did he… is he dead?” he asked with hesitance.
“Oh yeah.” Finn gave a little, strained laugh. “He’s rotting in hell as we speak.”
Tyler let out his breath. “I’m sorry.” He gestured at Finn’s arm. “And that?”
“Yeah,” Finn said. “He did that. Poured boiling water on me. He did other stuff too. Broke my bones. Whored me out to his friends.”
Tyler sat motionless. He felt tears pricking his eyes at Finn’s matter-of-fact calmness.
