The smells of mac and cheese, and potato salad permeating the kitchen, which usually made him salivate, turned Finn’s stomach.
Will spun to face them both, a snarl pinned to his face, while he gulped the contents of his cup, his hand trembling against the plastic. So, this was happening, and it was happening in front of their friends and family. He shook his head and slammed the plastic cup into the sink.
“Will?” Mrs. M’s brows pinched, deep creases crinkling her forehead. “What’s going on?”
“Ask them.” He snorted, gripping the counter behind him, his knuckles turning white.
“Will…” Molly’s pleading voice was barely a whisper. “Not here.”
“Ha! You probably should have thought about that shouldn’t you?” His nostrils flared and a muscle in his jaw ticked. His cheeks darkened with heat and his gaze flitted everywhere around the room but at Finn. Will shook his head like he couldn’t believe what he’d seen.
He jabbed a finger at Molly. “You… I should have expected this from you. But, you…” The anger so visible on his face morphed to pain. His eyes softened and his jaw slackened. “How could you?”
“Will, please.” Finn’s voice didn’t sound like his own. “Let’s step outside and talk about this.”
“Like you stepped outside to fuck my sister?”
“Will!” Mrs. Mo gasped his name as she covered her chest with her hand.
Someone moved closer to Finn. Irritation spread under his heating skin, and he forced air into his lungs. “We were going to tell you.”
More gasps rolled around the room behind him as though confirmation of Will’s accusation was more surprising than the accusation itself.
“Tell me what? That you fucked my sister at our graduation BBQ? How does that come up in conversation, Finn? Hey Will, I banged your sister in the garage? Lacks a certain… something… don’t you think?”
Finn shook his head. “Take a breath, and let us explain.”
Will straightened his spine, his eyes darkened. “There’s nothing you can say to me right now that will erase the image of your dick buried in my fucking sister from my mind.” His voice shook.
Molly grabbed his hand, her face blotchy from crying, but fire flickering in her eyes. “Would you shut up for a goddamn minute so we can talk about this like adults?”
Will’s eyes narrowed. “Is there anyone you won’t drop your pants for?”
Finn’s arm moved before his brain caught up. The crack of Finn’s fist against Will’s jaw spurred the room into action. Strong arms closed around Finn’s biceps, pulling him back from Will.
Will surged forward, Molly stepped in between them, pressing a hand on Will’s chest, but he kept advancing. Linc moved to place himself in front of Molly who withdrew to stand next to the fridge, wrapping her arms across her body.
“We’ve been here before, man.” Linc grabbed Will by his shoulders.
Finn seethed, straining against the arms holding him back. He jabbed a finger at Will. “I don’t care what the fuck you say about me.” He shook his head, flecks of spittle spraying from his mouth as he spat every word at his best friend. “But you need to watch your goddamn mouth when it comes to her. I don’t give a flying fuck who’s watching. I will fuck you up. Are we clear?”
He couldn’t see past Linc to see Will’s face, but Linc’s back foot slid on the tiles like he struggled to contain Will.
“Will. This isn’t the time or place.” Linc straightened his spine, resetting his stance. “I get that you’re surprised.”
Will snorted.
“But the last time we were in this situation, at the party, remember? I warned you, you don’t talk to her like that ever again.” Linc’s voice was level and quiet, but there wasn’t another sound to be heard around the room save for Finn’s heavy breathing. Everyone hung on every word.
“He fucked Molly.” Will swung his hand seemingly at no one in particular.
Finn stood straighter, shirking the arms off his own with a dismissive wave. He was fine. He wasn’t going to launch himself at Will again. But he’d be damned if Will was going to reduce what he felt for Molly to a sleazy fuck. A hand clutched around Finn’s bicep and a voice spoke low to his ear. “Focus on your breathing.” Austin and his fucking breathing. Fuck him. Finn wanted to rip Will in two for the look of despair painted on Molly’s face.
Linc nodded. “Right, he did. But we talked about this, too. Molly’s body, Molly’s choice.”
Will’s eyes narrowed as understanding flickered across his face. “You knew.”
Linc’s body tensed. “Will. You need to go walk this off.”
