Chapter 13 #2
Everyone seemed glad to have me. Jason introduced me to his boyfriend Bellamy, who had blond hair and blue eyes a little bit darker than mine. I shook his hand. “Damn, man, too bad I already have a ton of brothers, because you’d fit right in.”
He grinned, and I immediately clocked how his expression changed from slightly wary to relaxed. This guy was some sort of celebrity, or I’d eat my hat. Not really, though, because I liked my hats too much.
I wound my way over to Alex. “Hey.”
“Hey. I was getting ready to text you. I heard Charles had some sort of outburst at Red’s today, but Finn hasn’t returned my texts. What happened?”
I grimaced. “I’m still not sure exactly, but something I said triggered him. Finn told me Charles was fine, but he only got around to texting me a few minutes ago, so I don’t have any details.”
Alex blinked. “But gossip said that happened before noon.”
I raised my eyebrows. “Which is why I’d appreciate it if you didn’t respond if Finn texts you asking if you’ve seen me tonight. I told him I was out having a drink, and he could join me. But I didn’t say where I was.”
His face broke into a wicked smile. “Payback’s a bitch. I’ve got you.”
“Thanks. I’m sure he’ll find me eventually, but he can work for it.” I drained the rest of my beer. “I’ll be right back.” I lifted my empty bottle and he nodded.
The bar was getting more crowded, and I had to slide between two guys to get to a spot where a bartender might see me.
“Well, hello. I don’t think we’ve met. Are you new in town?”
Shit, it was yet another attractive man. Maplewood was awesome. This one was around six feet tall, with black hair and brown eyes surrounded by the thickest lashes I’d seen on a guy. He gave me a flirty once-over.
“Hi. Yeah, I’m visiting.” I looked down the bar, but the bartenders were both occupied with other patrons.
“Welcome, then. I’m Cooper.”
“Oh, who’s this?” Another guy shoved Cooper aside. “Hi, I’m Denver.” He was tall, with extremely close-shaved hair, blond eyebrows, and blue eyes. “You don’t want to know this loser.” He gently elbowed Cooper in the stomach, and Cooper pretended to be in pain.
“Y’all are cute.” Somehow they’d maneuvered themselves between me and the bar, dammit. “Excuse me, I need to get by you so I can order.”
“Not so fast.” Cooper pulled himself up to his full height but he couldn’t match Denver. “I didn’t get your name.”
I bit back a curse. This was the universe punishing me for sending Finn on a wild goose chase through the Maplewood bars. “I’m Drake. Can I get by, please?”
Denver sucked in a breath. “Drake Derry? The musician? You’re dating Finn, right?”
I gave him my father’s deadliest glare. “Something like that.”
He held up his hands. “Hey, sorry, didn’t mean to step on any toes.” But he did move back a little, so I slid by him to take my place at the bar again.
“Hang on.” Cooper sidled up next to me. “Are you and Finn like together ? Or is it something where you’re open to other people?”
“We’re together, Cooper. Get lost.” Huh. It hadn’t taken Finn long at all to track me down. I was a little disappointed, to be perfectly honest.
Still, a not-so-small part of me thrilled at Finn angrily staring down Cooper, though the guy didn’t seem to find him threatening. In fact, he patted Finn on the shoulder. “It never hurts to ask the question, Doc. Have a good night!” He threw me a wink as he melted into the crowd.
Finn aimed his frown at me. I smiled sunnily back. “Hi! You want a beer?” I turned back to the bar, which I’d kept hold of with one hand. No one was going to get my spot again, no way.
Finn didn’t respond, so I looked back at him with an enquiring eyebrow lifted.
“Fine. Thank you.”
I nodded and turned around again, smirking and chortling to myself.
“I can see you in the mirror, you know.” Finn’s mouth was next to my ear, and I shivered. “I guessed you were making me search for you on purpose.”
I met his eyes in the mirror behind the shelves of bottles. I blew a kiss toward his reflection right as the bartender stepped in front of me.
The guy pretended to catch the kiss and held it to his heart. “Whoa! What’d I do to deserve that?” He was cute, with warm brown eyes and his hair shaved close to his head.
I laughed. “Just in the right place at the right time.” Behind me, Finn put his arm around my shoulder.
The bartender’s eyes twinkled. “Must be my lucky night. What can I get you?”
We ordered, and I busied myself with pulling out my wallet while the bartender grabbed our beers. Finn kept his hand on my shoulder as if he didn’t want me to get away again. I bit my lip to keep from smiling, though I wasn’t very successful. I was loving this show of possessive behavior.
As long as he eased off later, of course.
When we had our drinks, Finn used the hand on my shoulder to steer me out of the crowd.
Hmmm . Okay, this was getting to be too much.
I decided to allow it for now, but only because he was slightly taller than me.
When we reached a more sparsely populated area, I twisted around to face him and, as a side effect, knock his hand off.
“Alex is over there with Sam, Jason, and Mickey. Oh, and Jason’s boyfriend. ”
He glanced over at them, then back to me. “Can we talk for a minute first?”
I nodded and he gestured toward an open space next to the wall. He didn’t put his hand on me again, so he must’ve gotten the message.
I positioned myself so I could lean against the wall. Finn stood in front of me, fiddling with the label on his beer. “First, Charlie was upset because when we were flirting at the table it was very similar to how his parents used to flirt with each other.”
I grimaced. “Poor kid.”
“He said he doesn’t want us to act any differently around him, but he can’t guarantee he won’t get sad again. I did get him to agree to see a grief counselor, but he wants me to go with him.”
“Great. I’m a big believer in therapy.” I smiled.
He smiled back but then his expression darkened. “I’m sorry I didn’t contact you this afternoon. I meant to, but I didn’t, and that’s my fault entirely.”
I hesitated, trying to decide how to respond. He seemed earnest, but I needed him to understand how serious this was. “Finn, did you understand that what Charles was saying at the diner made me think we were over?”
He winced. “It didn’t seem quite so definitive to me.”
I brought out my father’s glare again. “Even if it wasn’t definitive , you still knew it sounded bad.”
He nodded, looking sad and pathetic. “I’m sorry. Again. The conversation with Charlie—and he wants to go back to being Charlie now, FYI—was intense. I was exhausted afterward, and I didn’t prioritize letting you know everything was okay.”
I turned my head so I could blink back tears.
When I had myself under control I turned back to him.
He’d noticed, based on his horrified expression.
“Look, I know we’re not officially together or anything.
But I’d been starting to—never mind. My point is, you not contacting me all day was stressful and hurtful.
I get that Charles—Charlie—comes first. But you can’t tell me you didn’t have two minutes where you could’ve told him you needed to send me a quick text?
” My voice was getting louder, and I clamped my mouth shut, turning away again.
Alex was staring at us from the back room with a concerned expression.
Finn’s whole body drooped. “You’re right.
I need to do better. I will do better. I promise.
” He gave me puppy dog eyes exactly like Charlie’s.
“I’m sorry I hurt you. And I hope I haven’t damaged your opinion of me too badly, because I’d really like to continue seeing you.
Maybe even....” He furrowed his brows and looked down at his beer again.
I waited, resisting the urge to ask him to finish his sentence.
We weren’t done with the other conversation, but this was leading somewhere important.
He met my eyes again. “Maybe we could date for real? I know you don’t live here, and I’m a lot older than you, but I?—”
I stepped forward, put my hand on the back of his neck, and kissed him. “Yes. I’d like that.”
He smiled. “Does that mean I’m forgiven for today? It won’t happen again, I promise.”
“You’re forgiven. But, Finn, remember how I told you about my dad withholding his attention to punish us?”
He winced. “Shit.”
“Yeah, it’s pretty fucking triggering for me.” I held up a hand. “I’m not asking you to smother me or anything, but I need to know I matter, okay? If something’s going on, I need you to check in.”
“I understand. And I will.” He pulled me into a hug. I liked the feel of him against me. Holy shit, he was my boyfriend. Wait, or were we just dating? Dammit.
I pulled back. “Um, one more thing. Are we, like, boyfriends?” I made a face. “Because apparently I’m twelve years old.”
He laughed and leaned in to kiss me. “I’m good with boyfriends.”