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Glaring at him, she swiped at the tears in her sparkling green eyes. “Fuck you.” The quiet tone of her voice did more to punish him than any yelling could have accomplished. She hurried from the room, slamming the door behind her.
Finn fought the urge to go after her. As much as the thought of Gretchen being embarrassed and hurting crushed him, he couldn’t let her think there was any chance of something happening between them. The best thing he could do for her was to stay away until she forgot about him.
He ran his hand through his hair, the scent of her still lingering on his skin. “Fuck me’s right,” he muttered.
Because, while she might forget him, forgetting Gretchen Christensen was going to be damn near impossible.
Chapter 1
Present Day
Sometimes Finn really loved his job. Sometimes he got to travel the world and visit new places. Sometimes he was surrounded by dozens of barely dressed women begging him to show them a good time. And sometimes he got stuck on a roof after chasing a dumbass up a flight of stairs and having to hogtie him. Tonight was one of those times. If his boss would let him get his point across to his ‘business partners’ without bringing them in for a meeting, he could get back to those things he enjoyed about his job.
His phone vibrated in his pocket, and he sighed, eyeing the man in front of him. “Don’t move.”
He straightened to retrieve the phone from the pocket of his dark jeans. In his hand, the screen glowed, displaying the name and number of his oldest friend. A smile curved his lips as he stepped away, careful to keep his eyes on his prey.
“Hello.”
“Finn, man, what’s up?”
Finn watched the man in front of him, squirming on the roof. “Not much. Just tying up some loose ends before I head out tomorrow.”
Brock sighed. “Good. I’ve been afraid you’d miss the wedding.”
Finn shook his head. Of course, Brock would think that. Finn had skipped every family gathering he’d been invited to in the last decade. “Really, man. You know I love a good funeral. I mean wedding.”
Finn laughed even as his friend feigned anger on the other end of the line.
“Yeah, yeah.” Brock chuckled before going serious. “I wanted to make sure you were good. I mean, you haven’t been around much since your mom.”
Finn didn’t react to his friend’s words. His mom’s death didn’t bother him, it wasn’t why he’d avoided his hometown and Brock’s family for the past ten years, but he’d let Brock think that if it meant keeping what had happened with Gretchen a secret. “I’m fine.”
His quarry pulled against his manacles, almost managing to slip free. Finn reached out a black boot and kicked his shoulder. The man grunted against his gag before he stopped fighting.
“If you say so,” Brock replied, his voice wavering.
Finn didn’t have time for a heart to heart, but he was the best man and his friend was getting married in two days. He took a deep breath and pushed forward. “What’s bothering you? That lame ass bachelor party you had last weekend? Need me to bring some girls from my club?”
Brock barked out a laugh that had Finn grinning.
“Gretchen,” Brock said.
Finn’s grin disintegrated. “Brock,” he warned.
“Look, I know you don’t want to hear about her or whatever. I haven’t heard from her and the wedding is two days away and—”
“Are you the bride or the groom?” he interrupted.
“Screw you,” Brock snapped.
“That doesn’t narrow it down.”
Finn waited for Brock’s laugh to echo through the line. It wasn’t that he didn’twantto hear about Gretchen, he didn’t trust himself with information about her. He was afraid if Brock told him she was with some bastard who treated her bad, he’d go and kick the guy’s ass. Or if he saw a picture of her with her big green eyes, unruly blond hair and lush handfuls of curves, he’d fantasize about her more than he already did. And God forbid, if he ever heard she did the unthinkable and fell in love and belonged to someone else, he might have to kill someone.
So, no, it wasn’t that he didn’twantto hear about Gretchen, it was better for his sanity and everyone else’s safety if he didn’t.
“What’s the little hell raiser done now?” Despite his feelings, he could help his friend out.
