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Willow
It feels right,I won’t deny that. Being in Finn’s arms. I know I am safe. That he will protect me. Care for me.
Unfortunately, my brain refuses to shut off.
I should be focusing on the way my body is reacting to his. On how his lips feel against mine. The gentle yet demanding way he is kissing me.
All I can think about is the ache in my chest. The fault line that feels like it is growing by the second as he rolls me onto my back, covering my body with his.
That ache should have traveled south the second his palm flattens against my thigh before slipping beneath the hem of my dress.
Instead, I let out a hoarse cry against his lips. The dam breaks and tears freely stream down my face as he gently pulls away. Gazing down at me, he holds my cheeks in his large hands, his thumbs brushing away the dampness.
“Tell me what you need, Willow.”
Willow. Not Lo, like most of my friends call me. Not little tree or LT like he usually addresses me.
Nope. He’s using my full name. I’m surprised he didn’t throw my middle name in just for shits and giggles. It would have been just as surprising because Finn is serious right now. He’s treating me the way everyone else is, like a fragile piece of glass, when all I want is for things to go back to normal. For people to stop looking at me like I’m about to break and they’re just waiting around for the show.
Newsflash! I’m already broken.
There’s nothing left to see.
Show’s over.
Rolling my eyes, I turn away from him and push myself off the ground. Without looking back, I stalk toward the house. Toward the chaos. The sadness. The crowd of people dressed in all black, dampening an already dark day with dark clothing.
He calls my name, but I don’t turn around, my bare feet picking up the pace the closer I get to the back door. As soon as I cross the threshold, Max is there, an accusing gleam in his eye.
“Where were you?”
“Outside.”
“Where?”
“Why is it any of your business?”
“You are my business.”
“I don’t need you to babysit me, Max. I can take care of myself. You’re not my father.”
The second the words slip past my lips I regret them. Max sucks in an audible breath, his eyes going wide. I’ve never spoken to him like this before. Hell, we get along better than most siblings. I can only remember a handful of fights we’ve had over the years, and they’ve generally been around his overprotective, big brother actions.
Like right now.
“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean that,” I quickly blurt out, averting my gaze to the floor. Staring at my chipped toenail polish gives me something to focus on rather than the bitchy words I just spewed at him for no reason. “I’m just angry and sad and I want to be alone.”
Placing a hand on either one of my shoulders, Max clears his throat but doesn’t speak. When I finally look up, I see why. His eyes are brimming with unshed tears. “I love you, Lo. I just want what’s best for you.”
“I know.” Wrapping my arms around my brother, he pulls me close and squeezes tight. If we’re going to get through this, we’re going to need to lean on each other. “I didn’t mean it. I do need you, more than you realize. I always will.”
“I’m right here. I’m not going anywhere,” he assures me before releasing me.
“I’m going to go lay down.”
He nods as I step passed him, keeping my eyes focused straight ahead of me to avoid eye contact with our guests. Stopping in the kitchen, I wrap Evie in a hug, then my mom, causing both of them to start crying before I retreat to the sanctuary of my childhood bedroom. It hasn’t changed since I moved out almost two years ago. Same pink bedding. Same collage of pictures above my desk. There’s even still a poster of Taylor Swift on my wall.
Without changing, I pull back my covers and slip beneath them. Unplugging my phone from the charger on my nightstand, I shoot a quick text to Kendall, thanking for her coming today and letting her know I’ll see her back at our apartment tomorrow. I’m aware I’m in no shape to drive, and right now, I need to be here.
