AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Good. Hopefully you don’t do the same shit to him.”
As I turn around to leave, he latches on to my arm, pulling me back. My heart races and I wait with bated breath for his next move, closing my eyes to prepare for a blow that doesn’t come.
“To think I was still going to go on that trip with you and give you a few last pity fucks. At least I no longer have to suffer through all those weird events and your boring talk about baking.”
I widen my eyes to keep the tears from falling.
Don’t let him see you cry. He doesn’t get to have this.
Yanking my arm away, I storm out the door. I don’t look back the whole time I’m walking to my car. I only stare ahead when I drive away, not wanting to see him standing in the doorway laughing at me. No, he didn’t hit me like Austin used to, but I still deserve way better. Why did I think I was capable of repairing a relationship that was far too broken to be fixed?
As soon as I arrive in front of my house, I shove the door open and rush inside. Plucking my phone from my pocket, I send Kevin a message.
Me: You’re right, I don’t need to pay for anything when Isaac already has.
Kevin: Damn straight you don’t. I’ll see you Thursday morning then?
Me: I’ll pick you up at 7 a.m.
Kevin: Can’t wait.
I switch over to Finn’s message.
Me: I’m sure you’re tired and I don’t want to be more of a problem than I’ve already been. Stay home and get some rest. You looked like you needed it today.
Finn:You’re really okay?
Me: Yeah.
But am I really? I set down the phone and pace around the living room, not able to shake away Isaac’s words. They are like venom in my ears, mixing in with all the horrible things Austin used to say. Was Austin right? Am I incapable of being loved?
I fall back into my couch, sinking against the cushions. A knock at my door has me shooting up to my feet. It comes again and I rush toward the door, checking the peephole before pulling it open. Finn is standing on the other side with the bag of cheesecake I brought him earlier and something hiding behind his back. “Hey.”
“Hi.” I shuffle from side to side. “What are you doing here?”
“I have my cheesecake I still need to eat and I’ll enjoy it better when you’re trying to steal it from me.”
I bite back a laugh. “Is that the only reason?”
“What other one would there be?”
Standing out of the way, I gesture him to come inside and he does, continuing to hide the other item he’s carrying.
“What are you hiding behind your back there?” I close the door, locking it behind us, and follow him into the kitchen.
He sets the bag of cheesecake on the table and slowly lifts his other hand in the air, bringing it closer to me. Wrapping my fingers around the top, I examine it a little longer, making sure I’m seeing things right. “Sunflower seeds?”
“Yes. They are a better alternative to flowers because they make a tasty snack.”
Chuckling softly, I tilt my head. “What makes you think I like eating them?”
“Because most birds do,” he says, reaching for my arm and stroking the dove tattoo on the inside of my wrist. A gasp catches in my throat.
“Finn. You can’t keep touching me like this.”
“Like what?” He quirks a brow, rubbing further down my arm. His short strokes turn into long ones. Every part of my skin he touches tingles and my tongue feels too heavy in my mouth for me to speak.
“What’s the dove stand for anyway?” he asks, his fingers still touching me.
