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“I was so mad at you… I was angry all the fucking time, and it felt like you had everything while I…” Finn pauses. “My dad wouldn’t stop talking about you. Like you were the son he wanted. The son he deserved.”
“So, you fucked my girlfriend?” Xavier spits.
“So, I took something from you. The same way you took my father from me.”
It feels like the air is thinning. Like the oxygen is slowly being sucked out of the room.
Xavier’s anger dies down. “I never meant to take him from you.”
“I know. And I get that now. You didn’t take him. He chose you. Because I wouldn’t let him choose me.”
I wasn’t prepared to take a peek into Finn’s mind, and I sure as hell wasn’t prepared for the darkness inside of it.
“I’ve been an asshole to him since the day she died. I’m the reason my dad and I aren’t close. Not you. It was never your fault. I’m so fucking sorry, man.”
The atmosphere is so thick with rage that it weighs on my shoulders, threatening to crush me like a bug. Xavier remains silent for a few seconds, pondering his next move carefully. I hold my breath when he moves closer to Finn, his expression an enigma. Then he cocks his fist back and punches Finn in the face.
Hard.
I can’t quiet the shriek leaving my mouth as Finn falls to the ground, nearly hitting his head against the glass door. Finn knew Xavier was pissed off, but something tells me these two have never gotten into a fistfight in the eighteen years they’ve known each other, and Finn didn’t think the first time would be now.
I’m at Finn’s side in seconds, unable to stop myself from gripping his face and scanning him for injuries. His bottom lip is busted, blood flooding his mouth.
“Baby, I’m okay,” Finn promises, and I tear my hands away from his jaw, looking up at Xavier. I expect him to come at Finn again, but he doesn’t. Instead, he inhales a long breath and bends forward to offer Finn his hand.
Wait, what?
Finn assesses the hand held out for him, debating on whether or not to take it. His chest heaving up and down, Xavier drives his hand closer to us, gesturing to go ahead with his chin.
“Finn…” I sound like a scared little girl as I dig my nails into his veined forearm. Xavier got him by surprise the first time, but if he keeps coming at him, Finn won’t have a choice but to fight back. It could get ugly.
“It’s okay, Gem.” Finn cracks a small smile to reassure me.
Then he takes Xavier’s hand.
My lungs release the little air left in my body when Xavier helps Finn to his feet.
No punch.
No kick.
Nothing.
After what feels like a decade, Xavier exhales. “If you do that shit again, I’ll kill you.”
Simple words, and yet, they hold so much meaning. Xavier is letting him off the hook. He’s forgiving him—or at least accepting his apology. Damn, Xavier Emery really is the bigger person.
“Understood.” Finn nods, the cut on his lip deepening when he speaks. Xavier flashes a minuscule smile.
They’re not completely okay, but they will be.
Eventually.
“That’s it?” Brie’s high-pitched voice grates on my ear.
We turn to look at her, reminded of her presence.
“Problem?” Xavier asks.
