I’ve hardly talked to her since they broke up, and part of me feels like shit about it. She very clearly was upset, and what did I do? Happily fell into bed with him. Hell, I’m not convinced that’s the only type offallingI’ve done either, because if I were being honest with myself, I’d admit that I think I’m falling in love with the guy. And I don’t know if me distancing myself from Violet is the guilt I’m feeling about that or the fact that even knowing she would be pissed, it’s not enough to make me walk away.
The way Finn looks at me, the way he kisses me and touches me, it makes me feel special. It helps heal something deep inside of me. Why should I have to give that up? And for what, a relationship that wasn’t ever going to go anywhere to begin with? No, I won’t do that. Not after everything he said the other night.
I hate the jealousy that fills me from watching her talk to him. It’s bitter and all-consuming. Would she still be talking to him if she knew the way he rubbed my back last night as I laid in his lap? Would she still be fluttering her eyelashes up at him flirtatiously if she knew the way he kissed me so deeply and tenderly before we fell asleep together in his bed?
Fuck.Tossing the wet rag into the sink, I shake my head, disgusted with where my mind is going. I need to do somethingother than spy on my sister and my boss from the window like a fucking creep.
“Hey, T,” I call out as I stroll into the dining room. “You think your grandpa has any good movies we can watch?”
Tucker jumps up from the chair. “He’s gotThe Lion King!”
I breathe out a laugh, loving this kid’s obsession with that movie. “Okay, I’ll go put it on while you clean up your mess. Deal?”
“Deal!”
There. Now I can keep my mind off my sister. Or at least try.
Chapter 32
Finn
Standing off to the side, a nearly empty beer in hand and the sunset burning along the horizon, I can’t take my eyes off the sight in front of me. Country music plays from the large speaker that Dad brings out on special occasions. A handful of people from town are dancing and having a grand ol’ time, but they’re nothing but background noise to me, because all I can focus on is Tucker and Ash, and the way they’re moving to the fast-paced beat of the song, holding hands as they both wear bright, wide grins.
It’s been a whole week since everybody came here and helped us fix up the barn. As a thank you to the whole town and their selfless generosity, Dad decided to throw a huge barbecue here at the ranch today. It’s been almost a whole day production, and I must admit, it’s been nice. Hollis and I set up the music about an hour ago, and people have been dancing ever since. Days like this—and last Saturday—really remind me how blessed we are. It’s easy to forget the good when things get overwhelming, and it’s easy to take for granted the joys of small-town living when allyou do is work, sleep, repeat. The fire in the barn, while small in the big picture, has helped remind me how lucky we are to live in a town full of so many caring, generous people.
“Looks like he’s having fun,” a voice that has my shoulders hiking up to my ears says beside me. I clench my jaw, annoyance filling my gut as I don’t bother to look her way or respond.
Why is she even here?
Since last weekend, Violet keeps randomly stopping by. First, it was on Saturday to “show her support”—her words—even though she didn’t do a damn thing to help or show her support other than try to glue herself to me. Then she brought over a peach cobbler she had made—which was gross, by the way—a few days after that, claiming she wanted to make sure I was doing okay after everything.
Yesterday, she dropped by unannounced after she got off work, using her brother as an excuse, saying she wanted to spend time with him, yet she spent the whole time staring at me or following me around while I got dinner ready. She rudely invited herself to stay for dinner, clearly unable to read the room even the slightest. By the time she left, it was after nine. I don’t know how I never realized how self-absorbed she was when we were dating.
I know her coming around is bothering Ash. After she left last night and we climbed into my bed, I asked him about it. He insisted he was fine, but I don’t buy that. On the surface, he wants to put on this front that he’s fine, that the insecurities he’s always held on to aren’t eating away at him this time, but I know better than that. When he admitted to me the resentment he’s held toward Violet since they were teenagers, everything clicked into place.
It’s why I made a point to tell—and show—him that night how much he means to me, how he’s the one I chose… So, I don’t get why he’s so adamant about pretending he’s fine lately. AndI feel like I’m at such a crossroads. A large part of me wants to demand he tell me so we can work through this, but there’s a small, nagging part of me that says I need to let him come to me. I can’t force him to talk about it until he’s ready, and all I can do is continue to reassure him the best way I can.
But how can I do that when Violet keeps showing up? Not wanting to be rude or harsh toward her, I’ve done my best at keeping conversations short without outright telling her to go away, but she’s clearly not comprehending. It’s not in my nature to be an asshole, especially to a woman—my mother would’ve had me by the throat if she ever caught me doing that—but I’m starting to think it’s the only way Violet’s going to get it.
“How are you holding up?” Violet asks, still standing right beside me.
Ash glances over as the song changes, and even though I know he tries to hide it, it’s impossible to miss the way his face drops when he spots his sister standing beside me.
“I’m fine,” I grit out, desperately wanting Ash to look at me so I can somehow convey with my eyes that she’s annoying me and that he has nothing to worry about. But he doesn’t. Tucker pulls his attention back down to him, and they go back to dancing again. A slower song is playing now, so he hoists my son up into his arms as he sways to the beat, Tucker giggling as he wraps his arms around Ash’s neck.
“He’s really good with him, isn’t he?”
“More than good,” I murmur, unable to take my eyes off them. “Tucker loves him so much.”And so do I.
Violet breathes out a laugh that grates on my nerves. “I told you he’d be a good fit.”
Turning to face her, I cross my arms over my chest. “What are you doin’ here, Violet?” I ask bluntly.
She winces, but I can’t find it in me to give a shit. “What do you mean? Everybody is here.”
“Yeah, everybody whohelpedlast weekend,” I state. “Last I checked, you didn’t help.”
“Ouch.” She lets out a dry laugh. “I was here last weekend, Finn. We talked for, like, a half an hour.”
