AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Finn turned his face up to the cold, night sky. Not a star was in sight, and the moon was nowhere to be found. The street was covered in darkness except for a stray streetlamp or two dotting down the road.
Finn shook his head and faced the house as the motion light switched on. He drew in a breath and steeled himself as he walked up the steps.
After pulling his keys from the bag, he twisted them in the lock and opened the door, slipping inside. The small light over the stove was on. He shucked off his boots and hung his coat. He needed a long shower to wipe the grime of that club and the jail cell off his body. He reeked of the place. And was that glitter on his hands? That shit got everywhere. He crept through the living room to grab his bag from behind the couch when his eyes landed on the small figure curled on her side around his pillow. Finn stepped closer, the low light bright enough to see the tracks of old tears across Charli’s cheeks. Guilt sunk in his gut like a stone. Her small hand rested against her belly, and all Finn wanted to do was pick her up and hold her in an attempt to ease some of her worry.
He’d been a selfish bastard tonight. And it was time he started thinking about Charli and their baby’s well-being too. His father was right—as usual. Finn needed to man up and take care of his responsibilities. Charli didn’t deserve this from him. He’d loved her enough once to tattoo his body for her—and marry her. He’d have to trust that the old Finn knew what he was doing.
Reaching out his hand, he brushed the strand of hair from her face. Her skin was buttery soft, eliciting a familiar buzz that happened whenever he touched her. Her eyes fluttered open, as he held his breath. It was time to face the consequences.
14
Charli
Warmth spread over Charli as she opened her eyes. The blurry room in front of her came into focus. A dark figure bent over her. She jolted up and screamed.
The man jumped back and stumbled. “Shit.”
Finn?
The light switched on. The burst of brightness made her wince. Her head was pounding as it usually did after hours of sobbing. She must have drifted off at some point. Charli glanced at the clock. Three in the morning?
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to scare you,” Finn said.
“Did you just get home?” she asked, standing. She sucked in a sharp breath. Every muscle ached. Sleeping on the couch had not been a good choice. Especially after overdoing it cleaning the house from top to bottom. But she’d wanted to talk to Finn when he got back. And his pillow smelled like him. She’d scavenged for any shred of comfort, no matter how small. Where has he been all night?
His eyebrows drew together and his lips flattened. “Yeah. Sorry.”
Anger roiled in her belly. If he thinks he can just come and go as he pleases, treating me like a doormat, he’s got another thing coming. She let her gaze wander over his features, searching for something, anything at this point that gave her hope that this wasn’t over. His lip was swollen and cut. His eye darker around the rim.
“What happened to your face?” she gasped, stepping closer to get a better look. A whiff of cheap perfume hit her sensitive nose and she froze. Her heart raced and her mind sought an explanation that wouldn’t leave her heart shattered as a result. She sucked in a breath and stepped away from him.
His gaze met hers before regret flashed in them and they dropped. Her stomach twisted into a thousand intricate knots as she shook her head. Tears burned her already irritated eyes.
He’d not only dismissed her feelings earlier, blew her off, brought that dirtbag into their home and let him disrespect her, but now he’d . . . cheated on her?
“I got into a fight.”
Obviously. “I didn’t hear your bike.”
He shifted on his feet, hands digging into his pockets—a nervous gesture. “I got a ride home.”
From the owner of the horrid perfume? Did he sleep with her? She swallowed and turned towards the stairs, her pulse pounding in her head. Pain lanced up her side as she hissed and grabbed her belly.
Finn’s arms wrapped around her, holding her steady. “Are you okay?”
She was anything but okay. Her husband had been out all night and come home smelling like another woman, booze, and piss. And he’d gotten into a fight. This wasn’t Finn.
“Just leave me alone, Finn.” Her voice trembled as she pushed him away and started up the steps. Her knees wobbled and her body trembled. Maybe in the morning they could make better sense of this. Right now, it hurt too much.
“Charli, please?” Finn’s voice tugged at her heart, making her halt her steps. She flicked the hall light on and turned to him.
His gaze landed on her face, and he cringed. She must look a mess right now with bloodshot, swollen eyes from crying. Something sparkly glinted off his cheek. Glitter?
“I messed up by choosing to go with Stewart. He was familiar to me. I just . . . I wanted to feel like myself for one night. I didn’t want the pressure or to feel like I was letting anyone down. I was pissed at you.” The words stumbled out of his mouth, and then he took a fortifying breath. “I should have listened to you.” Finn’s thumb rubbed the tears from her cheek as he took her face in his calloused palms.
She closed her eyes, relishing his gentle touch.
“I may still feel like I don’t know much about you, Charli. But I do know I don’t like to see you hurtin’. I’ve done a piss-poor job at keeping that from happening.”
