And I feel it in my bones. My parents would do anything for me.
Then he bundles me into his arms, my fist curling around the fabric of his jumper as I feel his heart beat against mine.
“No matter what happens,” he murmurs as he smooths his hand down the back of my head. “You’re always going to be our baby, and we’re always going to be there for you.”
I squeeze my eyes shut when the tears start to fall. I’m overwhelmed by their love and affection, and I’d be stupid not to see the good in my life. The people who will fight in my corner no matter what, and I know this time I cannot fail. I have to keep going.
“I love you, too, Dad,” I croak.
He pulls back and wipes my tears as his own cheeks are stained. “Only you could get your old man to cry like this.”
A laugh bursts from me as he eventually drops his hands.
“Things are going to get better,” my mum says softly. “Don’t let this discourage you, Finn. You’re destined for great things with a beautiful family, and I promise you, you don’t want to miss a second of it.”
I’m not magically healed or fixed, it’s going to take time. It’s a journey I’ll be on for the rest of my life. I just have to remind myself of the things at stake.
I need to be there for my brown-eyed girls because they’ve saved me in ways I cannot repay. Now it’s my turn to give them a life of security.
CHAPTER 54
MAYA BROOKE
Idecided to go to campus today with Finn. Alice and Jade are at home looking after Skye, and as much as Finn told me he was okay doing this by himself, I wanted to be there.
As Finn pulls up into an empty spot, he turns off the engine and stares forward at the windshield. I reach over and take his hand in mine before giving his knuckles a tender kiss.
He glances at me with those green eyes, and I watch as they soften as he takes me in. “Do you know how much I love you?”
I smile at his words. “Very much, and I love you too, so I’m not letting you do this alone.”
The corner of Finn’s mouth curls as he flicks his eyes between mine. “Even if you have to sit in the library with me for hours.”
“Being by your side? It’s my favourite thing in the world. And besides, you have a therapy session today, and I’m not missing it. You want me to be there, and I will.”Without fail.
He blinks at me before clutching my cheek and drawing me in for a kiss, before exhaling with satisfaction. “Thank you.”
“For what?”
“For not giving up on me.”
“It’s us for life, Finn. There’s no other outcome.”
He kisses me again, and I close my eyes with the pure emotion he pours into the action. It takes my breath away, literally, and I know I’ll feel like this forever.
“Come on,” I say as I pull away and beckon with my head. “These essays aren’t going to write themselves.”
Finn’s face spreads into a bright grin that makes my insides quiver like butterflies. “I guess not.”
Once we’re out of the car and Finn locks it, another car pulls up directly opposite us. I freeze when I spot Alfie step out, and I grit my teeth at the instant fury that bubbles in my veins.
Finn squeezes my hand when Alfie’s eyes clock us, and he visibly scoffs like seeing us together offends him.
“Don’t give him the satisfaction of even looking,” I grumble under my breath as I avert my gaze. “He’s nothing, he knows nothing.”
“I know,” Finn sighs. “I can’t believe I let him get in my head.”
I twist to face him as I press my palms to his forearms. “The only voices you should listen to are the ones of people who love and support you, the ones who really know you,” I say as I dip my head so his eyes land on mine. “Not weasels like Alfie.”
