13. Special Teams #2
Sophie glared, not at Finn, but in general.
“I don’t think that’s how it works. A heart doesn’t care if the timing is convenient.
Especially if you’re hurting. It sounds more like an excuse.
I love you, and I love Trace, but do me a favor?
If she doesn’t set your hair on fire, don’t get back together when she gets back in town. ”
Hopping back in, Asher didn’t close the door all the way, but rolled past the gate, then hopped back out to close it again.
Finn nodded. “You’re not wrong. It was a very polite excuse to avoid hurt feelings.
Honestly? Whatever we had all those years ago?
It’s different now.” She was right. It shouldn’t take so much work.
Hell, maybe it was because Haley was a fling, rebound, whatever, but he didn’t feel like he had to work at it.
Asher and Sophie didn’t look like they had to work at affection or the other critical pieces. Sure, they probably fought like everyone else. The Halseth home had shaken with some shouting matches over the years, but the love came easy.
Asher climbed back in. Sophie added, “If you want to talk, we’ve both been through a lot of loss. And dull relationships. Well, me anyway. I’m not sure Asher knew the meaning of the word before I hooked my claws in him.”
Grabbing her knee again, Asher subtly squeezed a ticklish spot until she squealed.
“Anyway,” she continued, shifting out of his reach. “It should be as easy as breathing. Not the relationship. Any relationship should have ups and downs and doubts. But the knowing that it’s right.”
Both hands back on the wheel as the truck bounced in every damn direction, Asher checked the rearview and caught his eye. “That sounded heavy. You seeing someone?”
Finn blushed. He actually blushed. That was a damn first. “No comment?”
Asher hooked a right as the path narrowed. “That may work on Grady or Lincoln, but cops require answers.”
Flipping him off, Finn unsuccessfully masked a grin. “I don’t kiss and tell.”
Sophie laughed and turned around in her seat. “You’ll be okay, Halseth.”
B umping down the overgrown logging road, slipping and sliding over the muddy path, Haley drove the overpriced SUV through a huge puddle that was so deep it may technically be considered a pond, then her engine roared as she drove up the other side.
Nate would be horrified as mud splattered all over the shiny black finish.
Grinning from ear to ear, squealing as her tires spun out, then caught a moment’s traction on solid ground, she gripped the wheel and roared with satisfaction.
What was the point in having such a badass vehicle, if she only drove it to and from the shops?
Her grin grew to a lip-biting growl as she clawed her way out of the Nate-hole another inch.
The others were parked and gathering their gear as she joined them in the clearing. Her gaze landed right on Finn. Something dynamic about him; or maybe it was the subtle grin as he stood with his backpack on, arms crossed, flashing her a secret wink as she hopped out of the car.
Tossing her backpack over her shoulder, she looked up at the crystal-clear sky, felt the breeze brush over her skin, still cool thanks to last night’s welcome downpour. “Beautiful,” she remarked to no one in particular.
Grady strolled over and reminded her who everyone was, as she’d met a few only the one time, at the awful gala her mother had thrown last January, when they had told Patricia that Haley was getting a divorce and that Claire had swapped brothers.
Awkward was the theme of the night. It was tough to keep up, as so much had changed since she’d spent any calculable amount of time in Foothills.
Freya had married Zane, the hunky ex-Navy SEAL that owned Black Op Brewing with Grady and the creativity behind the delicious brews she’d been sampling at Halseth’s.
Sophie, Asher’s fiancée, was her new accountant, and they’d clicked immediately.
Lincoln and Pippa were both friends from the old neighborhood. “And you met Finn at Halseth’s.”
Nodding, she swallowed the blush that threatened. Been there, done that. In many interesting ways. Hell, she’d even bought the t-shirt.
Finn stepped closer, but stayed far enough away to remain platonic. “Actually, we’re old friends now. She’s a huge Fire fan. Just saying. Think she was a little star-struck.”
She rolled her eyes and was tempted to sock him.
Shit like that was going to give it away and ruin the no-pressure aspect.
“Ha. Maybe a little. But that was only after a few Black Op pints.” She turned to Zane who was loading up a backpack that looked twice as heavy as hers.
“The citrus brew was good, but the double hop was amazing.”
Tilting his head with a subtle smile, he nodded. “The Olympic? A personal favorite of mine, too. I’ve got a few in the pack.”
“Dibs.” She quirked up the corner of her mouth as she staked her claim.
Finn pulled an insulated lunchbox out of his backpack and came around behind her.
Without asking, telling, or saying a word, just his amused grin, he opened her pack and stuffed in the bag.
Patting her backpack when he was done, he came around and stood next to her.
The others headed into the trees beyond.
Finn hung back and walked next to her. She stayed away, her hand feeling oddly awkward, like a little magnet inside was reaching to link hands with him. “Subtle,” she muttered out of the corner of her mouth.
He shrugged, looking downright pleased with himself. “I couldn’t resist. Besides, they’ll see right through us if we pretend we’re not friends.”
“Fair point.” They followed after the others, the tall grass bristly against her bare legs.
Inhaling every molecule she could fit in her lungs, she exhaled on a slow, satisfied breath.
Damn, she’d missed the northwest. Stopping in the middle of the field, she looked up and closed her eyes, running her fingers through her hair, letting the sun wash over her skin like a hot shower.
At her side, Finn stopped in place, watching her savor the moment with his mouth hanging open.
She rolled her eyes. “Again. Subtle.”
He bit his cheek and started walking again. “Your fault. I really like your hair. And your lips. And your breasts…”
She picked up the pace to catch up to the others. As she reached them, entering the canopied grove around the creek, Grady teased, “Such a city girl. Keep up.”
“I’ll have you know, I may have been one hundred percent out of shape a few weeks ago, but home renovation is hard work.” She pulled up the short sleeve of her pink t-shirt and flexed her bicep. “Check that out. I almost have a muscle that you can see.”
Claire released her lower lip from her teeth and smiled. “Nice. Maybe you won’t need help getting all that furniture moved in.”
Crap. Finn was going to help in the morning. “Thankfully, the delivery company brought everything inside, so it’s more sliding.” Phew. Close one.
They strolled along the creek until they came to a wide log that spanned the creek.
Hopping onto it like he was part antelope, Asher started across.
Following behind with equal grace, Sophie made it look like she did this all the time.
Freya walked easily over in her barefoot-style walking shoes, Zane not hesitating either.
Pippa squealed as she climbed on, both arms spread wide as she tried to steady herself.
Lincoln laughed out loud and followed behind, but she made it okay.
No problem. Just like… nothing in her recent past. Housewives didn’t cross raging rivers.
Growling at herself, she tightened her backpack straps and stepped up. Trophy wives didn’t do a lot of things. If she couldn’t cross a freaking log over a babbling brook, she may as well rejoin the phony sluts she used to call friends.
The log seemed pretty secure. Didn’t wiggle as she stepped on. Hell, this thing was almost as wide as a sidewalk.
One foot in front of the other, she made it a quarter of the way across, before her legs started to tremble more violently than the log. Finn hopped on. The log shook like a blade of grass. This was no Golden Gate. Swallowing a squeal, she squatted and grabbed on with all fours.
She felt Finn easing closer, trying not to cause anymore shaking. She felt like such a wimp, but she couldn’t budge, imagining one slight slip and crashing into the rocky creek. This sucked. Twenty years ago, she would have danced across the log.
Now… now the adventurous girl she’d been was as lively as a squashed bug. She wanted to sit down and cry that the stupid log scared the hell out of her. It wasn’t even that far of a drop.
Panic bubbled up in her chest as the last decade of her life came crashing down. Despite the mask she wore, she was still struggling to fumble her way back to life.
Finn’s rumbling voice crooned behind her. “You got this, Haley. Ease on up and stand with your feet turned out. Fourth position, right? Didn’t you say you were in ballet?”
“Fourth. I can do fourth.” She positioned her feet and rose to stand.
“Pick a focal point on the other side and keep your eyes on it like you’re spotting a turn. Arms out, feet turned out, roll toe to heel, like you’re walking across the stage.” He held his ground, knowing any movement would have her right down on her hands again.
“Someday you’ll have to explain how you know so much about ballet.” She held steady, not breaking form as she crossed. It had been a long time, but the movement felt natural.
He chuckled from his post on the log. “How do you think I run on my toes so well?”
As she reached the other side, Grady held his hand out for her. She shook her head and released the breath she’d been withholding. “Thanks, but I got it.”
He ran his fingers through his surfer blond hair and stepped back.
Leaping off, she landed almost gracefully, then put her hands on her hips and grinned.
Grady beamed, “There’s that stubborn girl I used to know.” He yanked her close and knocked the air out of her lungs with a bear hug. Voice hoarse, he said, “Not the time, I know. But I was afraid that bastard had beat her out of you.”
Hot briny tears coated her eyes. She whispered, “He never hit me.”
Still holding her close, her brother murmured, “Not with his fists. But I helplessly stood watch as he carved you into what he wanted. If I’d realized sooner…”
She pulled back to look at him, biting her lips together before she reached full quaver. “I hate that I let him. That I didn’t realize sooner.”
Grady’s aquamarine eyes were heavy, his cheeks clenched tight.
“You didn’t let him. Shit, Haley. No one plans for anything like that.
I remember when you guys got married. He practically kissed the ground you walked on.
When I saw you the following Christmas, you were all smiles, but there was something missing.
Then your dad died, and you were lost. Each time I saw you, less and less often, you’d slipped further from the girl you were. ”
“You tried to tell me.” She offered a watery smile, hating that it had taken ten years and a rickety log.
“But I wouldn’t listen. I had everything I ever wanted.
Wealth, a husband that put me on a pedestal, a social life.
” It hadn’t been what she’d hoped. A trophy wife that knew how to schmooze, a yes-wife, an entitled hedonist.
Grady shook his head. “Don’t you talk like that. You were making the most of a shitty situation. It just took him crossing that last line for you to wake up and remember who you are.”
She took a deep breath and tried to let it go. To remember where she was and enjoy the day.
Crossing closer, Freya linked arms with her. “If you ever need anyone to kick his ass, give me a call.”
Smiling, Haley nodded. “Happily, but I get first dibs at his smug face.” She hated feeling helpless, but now, she felt a little less vulnerable.
She’d been furious, ready to crumble the day she’d walked in and found him with her best friend. He hadn’t even cared that she was due home any minute.
Within days, once she’d declared it was over, she’d felt such a weight lifted. She hadn’t even realized how oppressive the burden had become.
Turning, she saw Finn waiting perched on the log, listening.
A soft smile on his face, a richness in his chocolaty eyes told her in one look that he had her back.
With a few graceful steps worthy of a prima ballerina, he crossed the creek and hopped to the ground, most of his weight absorbed by his good leg.
Haley took a sharp breath, blowing out the knots that tangled in her gut. “I’m hungry. Let’s go.”