Chapter 20 #2
He laughed. “I mean it though. We’ve barely had any time together the last few nights.”
He was right, and I did want to spend the night with him. But I didn’t think I’d be very good company until after I’d had it out with Zeke. “You go home. I’ll come over once Zeke and I have talked.”
“Okay. But if you’re too tired, let me know and I’ll come to you. You’ve had a long week.”
I tipped my hat back and kissed him. Gah, how did I deserve someone so sweet?
Before we left, I texted Mona that I’d catch up with her tomorrow. Finn walked me back to the compound since he’d parked there.
He drove home, and I stopped at the cabin to pack some clothes for the morning, then I put those in my SUV. Nova’s car was in the lot, so I went into the house. She was in the kitchen. “Hey, are you feeding Mabel? I can take care of it.”
She set Mabel’s bowl down on the counter and frowned at me. “Aren’t you exhausted?” She looked at her watch. “Did the competition end early or something? I left after you and Charlie finished.”
“No. I didn’t stay.” I leaned my hip against the kitchen table and crossed my arms. “Did you know about this plan to have me take over the festival? And this place?” I spread my arms out to indicate the compound.
She flinched. “Shit. Uh, yeah. Sorry.”
I crossed my arms “Why aren’t you taking it over? Or at least the compound?”
She was shaking her head before I finished my question.
“Nope. No way. I’m never getting involved in the music industry, and Uncle Zeke knows it.
” She went to the fridge and pulled out a plastic container of something and a head of cabbage.
“He’s my great-uncle, in case you didn’t know.
On my father’s side. Way back in the day, right after my dad graduated high school, Zeke got him a job at a record label.
Just an entry level position, but my dad rose through the ranks, yada, yada, yada. ”
I went to help her prepare Mabel’s meal. She handed me a knife and the head of cabbage.
“Anyway, he met my mom at some fancy party. They hooked up a few times, then she got pregnant with me. They got married, but Zeke’s the one who ended up raising me.
My parents essentially got addicted to the parties, the drugs and booze.
When I was six years old they did some cocaine that turned out to be laced with some nasty toxic stuff. They didn’t survive.”
“I’m sorry. That’s awful.”
She sent me a faint smile. “Thanks. I’m pretty sure you can empathize somewhat with how the industry can change your parents into people you’d never recognize.”
“Oh, yes.”
“Right. So even though Zeke did something positive with his industry experience—creating the music festival foundation and all that—I’ve never been able to even consider participating in it myself.
” She shrugged one shoulder. “I grew up in this house and on this property, but Zeke knows I’m good with not inheriting it.
He’s leaving me everything else.” She grinned.
“When he said he wanted to move somewhere warm, I told him to buy a beach house. That’s the kind of inheritance I want. ”
She handed me Mabel’s bowl and put the chopping board into the sink. “I hope you’ll take Zeke up on his offer. And even though I don’t want the property for myself, I do have some ideas for updating it and making some money off of it, instead of letting those cabins sit vacant most of the year.”
I eyed her with interest. “Yeah? I’ve been thinking about that too.”
“Good. We’ll do lunch soon and discuss. Are you sure you want to take Mabel’s dinner?”
“Yeah. I’m waiting for Zeke to get home. We’re gonna have a conversation.”
She sighed and pulled her keys out of her pocket. “All I can say is, he meant well. But I’m not the one in your shoes.”
I grabbed the flashlight Zeke kept by the back door and followed her outside.
Talking to Nova had calmed me down a little, but I was still fuming about being manipulated as I headed down the path to Mabel’s stump.
I was sure Nova was right, and Zeke had meant well.
But, fuck, couldn’t he—and Wesley, let’s not forget—have treated me like an adult and told me about the opportunity to take over before I left Texas?
Something rustled in the trees up ahead on the right.
Shit. “I’m coming, Mabel. Or whoever that is.
Please don’t eat me instead of what’s in the bowl.
I’m sorry your dinner is late.” I sped up, but my clogs weren’t made for jogging on uneven ground in the dark.
“You know, Mabel, maybe you can provide some perspective here. I mean, I want to stay in Maplewood, right? I’m not giving up Finn either way.
And I did enjoy running the festival, and I could do a lot with the compound.
I guess what I’m saying is, I’d be a fool to turn down what Zeke’s offering.
But he sure pissed me off the way he went about it. ”
I made it to the clearing, hurrying to place the bowl on the stump. “Here you go.” I looked around but couldn’t see much of anything, even with the flashlight. “Enjoy your dinner. I’ll let you know what I decide.” I heard more rustling, so I hotfooted it out of the clearing and back down the path.
I slowed as I neared Zeke’s house. He’d probably be home by now.
I was tired, and I was sure he was tired too.
It’d be easier to put this conversation off until tomorrow, but I needed it done.
I would most likely take Zeke up on his offer—or was it a demand?
—but I deserved some groveling from him for all the scheming behind my back.
Wesley could grovel to me tomorrow.
Zeke was waiting for me on the back porch. When I climbed the steps, he said, “You want a glass of somethin’?”
“No thanks.” I sat in the chair next to his, which happened to be the one with the cushion Aragornette had destroyed. It was still comfortable. “Zeke, do you understand why I’m pissed?”
He heaved a huge sigh. “Yep. And I shouldn't have sprung everything on ya in the middle of the competition, and in front of everyone else.”
I gripped the arms of the chair, trying to disperse my tension. The public announcement was the least of my concerns. “Take me through the thought process of not telling me why I was really invited here.”
He rubbed his chest. “I was in a hurry. My health ain’t what it used to be, and the doctor said running the festival is too much stress. No way I’d be able to wait and vet someone during next year's festival. Nova’s the only family I’d consider givin’ it to, but she’s too smart to want it.”
I snorted. True.
“An’ I didn’t wanna sell to some big corporation.
Right now bands and artists beg to be in the lineup.
It’s a fuckin’ honor to be invited. Some music label or satellite radio company would’ve sucked the soul out of the festival and turned this property into luxury condos or somethin’.
I called around to a bunch of my friends to see if they knew anybody who was smart and hardworking but kind of looking for their calling. Jake brought you up right away.”
I wasn't sure if I should be embarrassed or flattered that when Zeke mentioned needing an aimless drifter, Wesley’s mind had immediately come up with me.
“Anyways we were both worried you’d say no right off if we made this trip sound like more than a one-shot, temporary thing.
That was a valid concern, I could admit. I might have still done it, but living in Vermont and running a festival wasn't anything I’d have considered as a career path before I experienced it for myself.
“I can't afford to buy you out.”
“Not a problem. Festival grounds and the festival itself are all owned by the nonprofit that runs it. You'll have a board position and be president of the nonprofit. Which, by the way, comes with a nice salary.”
“President!” I sputtered. “I don’t have a college degree. In fact I only have a GED. I didn’t even go to regular high school.”
He shrugged. “You think I went to college? Most of the day-to-day shit is done by the directors. If you have questions, there’s plenty of people to ask for advice. And it’s not like I’ll be livin’ on another planet, even if I move to the beach.”
I had severe reservations, but if Zeke could do it, there wasn’t any reason to think I couldn’t. “What about the compound? Do you own that?”
He glanced around fondly. “Yep. We'll do a rent to own contract, with the rent being the work you'll put in maintaining the property. If you make it big with one of your songs, you can pay me cash to make it yours faster. And when I die, it'll be yours free and clear.”
Holy shit, that was incredibly generous. “How do you know I won't get tired of it and fuck off? Leave you high and dry?”
He shrugged. “I don't. All I have is Jake’s word that you're trustworthy, plus the work ethic you’ve shown this past week. I’m pretty confident if you decide you don't want the festival or the compound anymore, you'll work with me to find someone who does.”
Well, shit. I’d absolutely do that. Even if Finn dumped me tomorrow, I wouldn't have it in me to leave Zeke in the lurch.
“Okay. Thanks for telling me all this. I'm gonna need some time to think about it.”
He eyeballed me. “You’re lyin’. You want it. You just wanna make me wait as some kinda payback.”
I stood up. “Do you blame me?” I walked calmly down the steps and crossed the parking lot to my car. Zeke didn’t respond.
I fired off a text to Wesley before I started the car. He responded immediately, wanting to talk. Ha. Not tonight.
Finn had left the front door unlocked for me, and he was already in bed, reading something on his phone. “Hey. How are you? Do you want something to drink?” He set his phone on the nightstand as I walked over to him.
“No thanks.” I dropped my backpack next to the bed before bending down and hugging him. Why did Finn’s hugs always make me feel like I was home? “Thanks for waiting up. I need to shower real quick.”
He kissed me. “Take your time. I’ll be up.” He cupped my face, running his thumb over the scruff on my jaw. “I’m glad you’re here.” Damn, the warmth in his hazel eyes was making my chest feel all hot.
“Me too.” I leaned my cheek into his hand.
“Did you talk to Zeke?”
“Yeah. I’m making him wait til tomorrow to get my answer though.” I winked.
He grinned wide and put both arms around me again, hugging me tighter. I pulled back and he let go. “Shower. Be right back.” Picking up my backpack, I went into the bathroom.
I took as quick a shower as I could. I’d thought about doing a very thorough clean, but it was almost midnight, and I was wiped. We had tomorrow night for that. My whole body went all fluttery, and I grinned at myself in the mirror like a fool. We had tomorrow because I was staying.
I didn’t bother putting on any clothes. I walked out of the bathroom naked, my dick already standing at attention. Sure, I was exhausted, but I was also twenty-two years old. My dick was in charge.
Finn did a double take when he saw me, which gave me a warm glow of pride. I hoped he never stopped looking at me that way.
He threw back the covers, and I slid onto the mattress.
“Hi.” Finn rolled on top of me, slotting himself between my legs and giving me a slow, sweet kiss. I made a Mmmm sound and bucked my hips up into his. He smiled against my mouth. God, when he did that it made me feel like I was something special, like being with me made him so happy.
I gripped his hips and thrust up against him once more.
“Uh uh. I want to take my time with you. You deserve it.”
“Babe, I want that so bad, you have no idea. But I’m running on fumes here. My stiffy’s the only thing keeping me awake.
He chuckled. “Okay. Message received.”
“Tomorrow night, though.”
He kissed my neck, then licked his way up to my earlobe. I shivered, and he smiled against me. Fuck, that was hot. He blew a breath into my ear. “Are you sure you won’t move in here?” He tweaked my nipple, and my hips shot up without me telling them to.
“Torture will get you nowhere.” My eyes rolled back in my head when he replaced his fingers on my nipple with his lips.
After a moment he lifted his head. Ignoring my wail of protest, he brought our lips together in a hot, wet kiss.
He finally moved his dick against mine, driving his pelvis into me.
I vaguely wished we had some lube, but Finn moved just so, trapping the tip of my dick between his abs and mine, and I came, shuddering against him.
I woke a few minutes later when he ran a damp washcloth down my belly. “Fuck. Sorry. Did you get off?” I struggled to sit up, wanting to check.
“Oh, yes. No need to worry about me.”
“Good.” I flopped back onto the mattress.
He tossed the washcloth into the bathroom before sliding into bed and pulling me close.
I smiled against his skin.