AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Yeah. Just tired.” I shrug.
“We should go.”
“No, we can stay. I don’t want to seem rude.”
“Fin, you’re sick.” I don’t miss that this is the first time he’s shortened my name. Probably a product of being around Claire who calls me Fin more than she calls me Finley.
“I feel fine.”
“Not what I meant and you know it. If you’re tired then we should call it a night. Everyone will understand.”
I think on that for a moment.
“Only if you’re sure.” I knead my bottom lip between my teeth.
“Any excuse I can use to get out of here as quickly as possible I will use.” He grins, dropping a kiss to my forehead. “Why don’t you go grab your coat and I’ll meet you in the foyer.”
“Shouldn’t I say goodbye to everyone first?” I ask.
“Not if you wanna make a swift exit.” He chuckles. “Go. I’ll say goodbye for you.”
“Okay.” I nod, heading toward the foyer while Abel takes off in the opposite direction toward the living area.
I’ve just slipped my coat on when I hear a throat clear behind me. Turning, I spot Aaron leaning in the large arched doorway that leads into what looks like a den.
“Making a run for it I see,” he jokes with a smirk.
“I’m feeling a bit run down,” I admit, buttoning the front of my coat.
“It was brave of you to come here tonight. Not always the easiest crowd.” He gestures toward the back of the house.
“It wasn’t so bad.” I smile.
“You’re being polite. You forget, I’ve had to live with these people my whole life.” He chuckles.
“I enjoyed myself. Maybe next time I’ll feel like staying longer.”
“Maybe if you’re lucky, next time you’ll have another excuse to leave early,” he teases. “I’m trying to come up with an excuse myself, as we speak.”
“So that’s what you’re doing up here? Hiding out until you can think of a reason to duck out.”
“Something like that.” His smile broadens and for the first time I notice that he too has a solitary dimple on one cheek.
“Well I wish I could help you out but I’m awful at stuff like that.”
“Guess it’s lucky you can play the cancer card then, huh.” He stops, realizing what he just said. “Shit, sorry. That sounded wrong.”
“No, it’s fine.” I laugh it off. “You have to find the positives somewhere.”
“That you do.” He nods in agreement. “I just want you to know that I’ve never seen my brother this happy before. He’s always been kind of a brooding asshole, but with you, I don’t know. He seems different. A good different. So, do us all a favor and get yourself better, yeah?”
“That’s the goal.” I rock back on my heels, not sure what else to say.
I knew there was a reason I was drawn to Aaron more than the others. Because out of everyone here he’s the most like Abel. I think maybe he’s just better at pretending to fit in than actually fitting in.
“Well, I should probably get back in there. Oddly enough, I’m feeling a little queasy.” He rubs his stomach and winks. “It was nice meeting you, Finley. Try not to be a stranger.”
“It was nice meeting you too,” I say, my gaze darting to Abel who pops around the opposite corner.
