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Angelo’s gun never wavered. “Next time you think of taking a swing at one of my men or setting foot in my club, think again,” Angelo said as red and blue lights reflected off the metal building. He tucked the gun into his waistband and smirked. “Over here, officer. This one got too handsy with the dancers and then attacked my security.”
“That’s not what happened!” Finn shouted.
“Put your hands behind your back,” the cop ordered.
“He’s lying. These guys attacked me,” Finn argued, looking over to Stew to corroborate the truth. Stew’s gaze shifted to Angelo’s and then he shook his head. Asshole.
Angelo walked over to say something to Stewart as Finn tried to reason with the cop. But it was no use. The cold metal bite of the cuffs pinched his skin as he was shoved into the back of a police cruiser.
He stared down at his knees. Shame and regret swirled inside him for how he’d acted towards Charli and blown off a family dinner. Anger burned his chest, frustration tightening his airways. It was like he had been thrust into a game where everyone knew the rules but him. He didn’t know who to trust. But one thing was clear. He’d fucked up big-time tonight.
* * *
Five hours later, Finn had his personal effects in a bag in his hand and his angry father in the driver’s seat next to him. Zeke was silent. He hadn’t said a word to Finn after the phone call. His parents’ was the only number he’d had memorized, and thankfully, they’d never gotten rid of their landline.
The tension was so thick in the car—Finn could have probably cut it with a knife. He’d sobered up long ago and had hours in that cell to feel the full impact of the weight of his choices bearing down on him. He’d been terrified to call his parents from jail. Disappointing them was still his biggest fear. Of course, it didn’t help that Charli had been right. He owed her more than an apology. Damn it! How could I be so stupid? Finn cleared his throat as the sign for Shattered Cove whizzed past them. His ears heated and his chest squeezed tight as anxiety rattled through his bones.
“I’m sorry.” His voice cracked. “I’m sorry for . . .” Getting into trouble. Calling you in the middle of the night and scaring Mom half to death. For hurting Charli. “Everything.”
His father’s solemn expression didn’t change. Had he even heard Finn?
“It won’t happen again—”
“Damn right it won’t happen again, Finnegan Jacob Reed,” his father snapped gruffly, making Finn jump.
Zeke shook his head and sighed, his voice coming out more evenly. “I’ve never, not once in your life, been disappointed in you, son. Not until tonight.”
Finn lowered his head, his shoulders dropping with the heavy shame.
“You’re not behaving like the man I raised. I taught you better than this. And on all the nights to be an asshole, you chose her birthday.”
“I know, Dad—” Wait, what? It was Charli’s birthday? Fuck.
“You could have been killed tonight! Where would that leave us? Or Charli? Your child? You owe that woman respect.” Zeke slammed his hand on the steering wheel before he turned down Finn’s street. “You went and shirked your responsibilities, and all for what? Some naked, nameless women?”
Finn cringed at the disgust on his father’s face. I did more than that. I yelled at her and said horrible things I can’t take back. It seems Charli hadn’t told his parents about that. She protected me even though I was a total asshole to her.
He couldn’t bear the thought of his father thinking he purposely went to cheat on his wife. “It wasn’t like that. I had no idea where Stew was taking me. I didn’t—”
“You went in though. You drank there. You sat there. And apparently, you got handsy with the dancer.”
“That was a lie. I didn’t—”
His father turned his glare on him, and Finn shut his mouth. It didn’t matter if he was seventeen or thirty-three. His father was right. Finn had royally messed up. Had he destroyed his life in a single night? His parents’ disappointment was one thing, but now he had to face Charli and explain where he’d been all night. His wife. Finn scrubbed a hand over his face as his father pulled into his driveway.
“You and Charli were so happy before the accident. You two are a match made in heaven. That woman has stood by you through deployments, family emergencies, when you two had nothing but two pennies to rub together. Whatever you’ve got going on in that head of yours, you need to fix it for Charli’s sake.” His father sighed.
She’s been by my side from the beginning. In the hospital, even when I freaked out on her. Since we’ve been home and I’ve been cold to her. Fuck. I need to trust her and have faith in the old me who chose her.
“Thank you, Pops.”
His father’s chest heaved up and down like he was containing a hurricane behind his ribs.
“I really am sorry.” Finn lifted the handle and stepped out of the car before shutting it.
His father rolled down the window, turning to face him once more. “You’d better make this right, Finn. For Charli and that baby. Or at least be man enough to set her free.”
Ringing filled his ears as his father slipped the car in reverse and left. Panic scorched his chest at the thought of leaving Charli. She was still someone he didn’t know well, but what he had seen of her was enough to know she was someone special. He’d hoped they could begin a relationship, but then he’d found his journal and the doubts had crept in. How could I have thought anything different? Why did I jump to conclusions about her lying and cheating on me to manipulate me? Probably because his head was so fucked up. He clenched his fists and ground his teeth together in frustration. Looking back, his erratic moods and behavior were a bit more evident. I can’t even trust myself.
