AllFreeNovel
Share Us
He swallowed, a flash of guilt crossing his expression. “I guess. I never deleted it.”
Her nails bit into the flesh of her hands. Her body heated with a flash fire of green-tinted anger. “Is she texting you?”
“I haven’t texted back.” He sighed and parked in their driveway. Pulling his phone out from his pocket, he tapped on the screen. He turned the phone towards her, so she could see what he was doing before he pressed Laura’s contact information. “See? No responses to her since the time I told you about. I wouldn’t lie to you.” Finn locked his gaze onto hers. “Show me how to delete the contact and I will.”
She let out a deep breath, some of her anger dissipating. The bitch was just trying to start trouble. Why now after all these years? “Okay.” Charli tapped the phone, effectively blocking Laura rather than just deleting the contact. She picked up the book she got for him and held it out. “Please just take a look at this before you dismiss it. I did some reading, and I think you’d be surprised to find out you have a lot of the symptoms. Hypervigilance, trouble sleeping—”
“Damn it, Charli. Can’t you just leave it alone?” Finn snapped before bolting out the door. He opened hers and held out a hand to help her down. His jaw clenched again, and his muscles tensed and bunched by his ears. Anger radiated off him in waves. But his touch was gentle as he guided her to the front door, one hand on the small of her back like always. He stepped in front of her to unlock the door before ushering her inside.
Finn bent at her feet, helping her untie her shoelaces and stack her shoes neatly before standing. “I’m going for a walk to clear my head. I’ll be back.”
She nodded before he left out the door.
He turned. “Lock up behind me.”
Charli did as he said, clicking the dead bolt into place as he left.
Sighing, she shook her head. At least he told me this time and didn’t run off without an explanation. “He’s trying.” Maybe I let my anger with Laura get the best of me and took it out on him. “Ugh!” she screamed in frustration.
We can’t do this alone. But Finn wasn’t willing to read a book, never mind seek outside help. Maybe when he calmed down they could have another conversation about it. Or perhaps this whole thing was pointless. Was this the best it got for them? Riding the highs and lows of Finn’s moods and whims? Could she live with that? Or would they grow resentful of each other eventually? Only time would tell.
36
Finn
Finn walked behind Charli, entering his parents’ house with his hands full of desserts she’d made.
His father greeted them first, pulling Charli into a short side hug. The sight of his usually stoic father softening in his wife’s presence brought a twinge to his chest.
“Happy Thanksgiving.” Zeke motioned towards the kitchen. “Claire is in the kitchen. She can tell you where to put the dessert.”
Charli moved down the hall, her shoulders relaxing. She seemed more at ease at his parents’ than she did in their house. Ever since she’d come home with that book a few days ago, there’d been a thick layer of tension between them. I know she’s only trying to help. But it was embarrassing. He’d had enough issues with his accident and then his choices after. He just wanted to move on and forget the bad. Talking about the past never helped anyone, never mind the fact that he couldn’t even remember most of it himself. And what I do find, I don’t want to remember.
Zeke’s hand clapped over his back, shaking him from his thoughts. “How are you doing, son?”
“Good.” As I can be, considering.
“How’s everything with Charli?”
“Better.”
Zeke nodded. “I’ll put the game on. Bring me a beer and come join me and Mason.”
And that was the end of their uncomfortable discussion.
Mason’s here?
Finn headed down the hall. Feminine laughter filtered out of the bright room. The savory scent of roasting turkey and herbed vegetables grew stronger with each step he took towards the kitchen. His mother stirred a pot over the stove, looking up as he entered.
A feeling of déjà vu washed over him, halting his steps. How many times had he walked into this same scene?
Charli sat at the breakfast bar, decorating what looked to be cookies alongside a young girl.
“How about we use some orange sprinkles on this one?” Charli asked.
The little girl smiled and nodded, brushing her reddish-blonde hair from her face. “And rainbow sprinkles for the turkey cookie?”
Charli chuckled. “Sounds festive.”
