Chapter 7 #2
I can’t remember a time when I didn’t love Rowan. Maybe longer than I’ve let myself admit. But hearing someone tear her down like that? I want to make the whole damn town pay for saying shit like that about her and harassing her.
I take a deep breath, and try to calm my nerves, but it doesn’t help.
I still see Vanessa’s smug face and hear her calling her a bitch.
I know for a fact that is one of the things that Rowan struggles with.
She has a Wednesday Addams personality. Always has and that’s one of the things I love about her.
She is direct and powerful. She doesn’t do fake or other bullshit.
And for the people calling her a bitch, it really bothers her.
It’s usually when people figure out that they can’t manipulate her or get what they want from her.
Then all the sudden she becomes a bitch.
It’s ridiculous. Rowan has a heart of gold and does a lot for people.
She just doesn’t go around advertising it and is a good person to the core.
I grip the steering wheel harder than I should. I don’t know how to tell Rowan that her best friend is shady as hell. But I know I have to. She doesn’t need Jessica.
I don’t know what’s coming next with Rowan, or with Sammy’s little scheme, but I know one thing’s for sure. I’m not standing on the sidelines and letting anyone give her a hard time. That’s my best friend.
Remy’s house smells like lemon and clean laundry, and it always feels cozy like a real home.
Something I so badly want my house to feel like, someday.
Ivy and Junie are in the kitchen when I walk in, rolling out pasta on the kitchen island.
Ivy smiles and says, “I’d hug you, but I have messy hands. ”
“It’s okay,” I say as I tuck the drinks in the fridge and set a tray of brownies on the counter.
Pete’s on the couch next to my mom, dozing, his color looking good today.
Sometimes when I see him sleeping like that, I have to do a double take and make sure he’s okay.
But like Remy has said, every day is a gift and we’re going to love him until his very last breath and then keep on loving his legacy even more. He’s our Pete.
“Hey,” my mom says softly, coming towards me and glancing back at Pete. “He’s resting.”
I kiss her cheek and lower my voice. “How’s he doing?”
“It’s been a good day,” she says. “He loves being here with everyone.”
I nod.
“What’s wrong?” she asks, searching my face, never missing much.
I pull my hat off and run my fingers through my hair. “I ran into Vanessa and Jessica at the store.”
She snorts. “Oh Lord. What did Tweedledee and Tweedledum want?”
“Invited me to a Pilates class,” I say, crossing my arms. “And then had the audacity to talk trash about Rowan to my face.”
Mom’s eyebrows lift high and her expression sharpens. “Pretty ballsy of them,” she murmurs. “I swear, I am putting both of them in one of my next books and turning them into the villains. No one will even question it.”
I try to laugh, but it comes out flat. “I do not like those two making trouble for Row.”
That gets her full attention. “Sweetheart,” she says, “they’ve hated the Maren sisters for years. Especially Rowan. She shines, and small people can’t stand bright women. I’m not surprised.”
She steps closer, lowering her voice. “But of all people for Jessica to cozy up with, it had to be them. I know that hurts. Rowan would never admit it, but she feels things deep. And this? This will cut her.”
A small ache blooms inside me, heavier now that she names it.
Mom sighs, shaking her head. “I also heard Sammy is an investor for that Pilates studio which means those two idiots aren’t just being mean, they’re playing games.
And if Rowan is in their way, they will push.
Hard.” She looks at me, eyes full of understanding and something almost fierce.
“Make sure Rowan knows she still has her people. She needs that right now more than anything.”
And I realize she’s right. Rowan may act tough, but this kind of betrayal hits her heart first.
They’re trying to keep it quiet, but nothing stays quiet here for long. He’s been making trouble because it affects his investment. They’re threatened by Rowan. She’s always had an amazing turnout for her classes. I can’t wait for her to start them back up again.
“Isn’t that illegal or something?” I ask, shaking my head. “Conflict of interest for Sammy?”
She gives a small smirk. “Yes, and that’s why a lot of townspeople are whispering about getting him removed. He’s a shitty mayor. He needs to go.”
I think about Rowan and how hard she’s been fighting to keep everything going through these stupid obstacles Sammy made up to keep her from her classes. And how Marilyn, Vanessa, and Sammy are circling like vultures. And now her friend Jessica getting involved in that, too? Ridiculous.
I can feel the restless pull in my chest. The part of me that’s always trying to fix things for people I care about. I look over at Pete and Mom, the warm light filling the room, and something settles sharp and clear in my chest. I’d give anything to fix Pete right now.
I’m not letting them push Rowan around. Not without a fight.
Later that night after I ate way too much pasta, played the game Trouble with Junie six times, and said goodbye to everyone, I finally got into my truck to head home with a full stomach and heart.
I couldn’t stop thinking about Rowan for most of the night.
I was at the dinner but wishing she was there. Before I pull out, I send her a text.
What are you doing?
Rowan: Working on my plants. How was dinner at Remy’s?
I grin the second I realize she’s at the house, right where I wanted her.
I knew moving all those plants in the house would pull her in closer and it worked.
She’s a part of the place now, her energy tucked into every corner.
I want her near me any way I can get her.
If I can’t love her out loud, I’ll love her in quiet, in the small ways.
Whatever it takes until she realizes we’re it.
I drive home and swing my truck into the driveway. After I put it in park, I head toward the backyard. I whip out my phone and pull up my song. It starts playing as I round the corner and there she is in a tank top, cut off shorts, and hair pulled up in a messy bun looking hot as usual.
“Is that my song?” she calls with a smirk.
“Sure is.” I flip on the string lights in the green house and she looks up in surprise.
“When did you put those up?” she asks in awe.
“This morning before I went to work.”
“Thank you for all of this, Finn. Really. You didn’t have to do this, and I owe you big time,” she says as she licks her lips which makes me take a deep breath and look to the sky for support. Fuck me.
“Want to go swimming?” I challenge as I look down at the beach in the distance, hoping she’ll say yes. It’s a warm summer night and I wish she’d take me up on it and cool down with me. And I can gently break the news to her that her friend is a trash bag.
She looks toward the water longingly. “I don’t have my suit.”
I give her a look. “Swim in your tank top. And since when has that stopped us?”
“Okay, let’s go. Race you,” she calls as she takes off to the wooden stairs down to the cove at the back of the property. I chase after her, and she squeals in laughter as she runs faster.
“If you dunk me, Finn, I swear!” she warns over her shoulder. “Let me at least get my shorts off first.”
I tug my shirt off with one pull from the back of my neck and toss it, sliding my jeans down, while kicking my boots off. I bend to pull my socks off and can’t help but peek towards her.
She slips out of her shoes, peels off her socks, unbuttons her shorts, and kicks them off to reveal black panties that instantly have me hard. Damn it.
She runs in and swims out, floating as she waits. She watches me and smirks. “Nice boner.”
“I can’t help it,” I sputter. “You have an advantage. I can’t tell when you’re turned on.”
She says nothing but smirks and leans back and floats, her breast bobbing through her tank top that I can see her hard nipples through. Maybe I can.
I dive in, coming to the surface next to her.
“How was your day?” she asks, expression relaxed.
I blow out a breath, unsure whether to tell her or not. “Okay.”
She glances at me, a worried look on her face. “Pete?”
“He was okay tonight,” I say quietly.
“What’s wrong then?”
I just say it and get it over with. “I ran into Vanessa and Jessica at the store. I don’t think Jessica is your friend, babe. She isn’t right. I don’t like her hanging around those snakes.”
She bites her lip and looks down at the water that’s glowing in the moonlight. “I know,” she says softly.
“I’m sorry.”
“I was supposed to go on a girls’ trip with her next week,” she says, her voice flat.
“Coconut Beach?” I ask, glancing over at her.
We grew up spending summers there. My mom’s cottage sits right on the beach, and for as long as I can remember, our families have shared it with the Marens. It’s always been one of my favorite places. Sun, palm trees, late-night bonfires, and lazy days on the beach.
She nods slowly. “Yeah. I was really looking forward to it. Good food, drinks with little umbrellas, lazy days on the sand with a stack of books I’ve been meaning to read. I actually cleared my schedule. First vacation in what feels like forever.”
I study the way her shoulders dip, how tired her eyes look even when she tries to shrug it off. She never lets herself rest. That trip probably felt like a promise.
“Can you still go?” I ask quietly, even though my chest is already tight.
“I texted Jessica about it and she made up a lame excuse about not being able to go,” Rowan says, rubbing her arm like she is trying to smooth the hurt out of her skin.
“I can’t believe she bailed on me like that.
But she’s been avoiding me. I checked with my sisters, and they are both busy.
My mom just got back. I don’t know what I’ll do. ”
And still, Rowan’s voice stays soft. She’s trying so hard to understand. To not take it personally. That is who she is. She has a heart bigger than the whole damn town. Even when people hurt her, she tries to find reasons to forgive them. Fire on the outside, tenderness tucked deep beneath it.
God, I love that about her.
I swallow my anger and try to breathe past it.
She deserves someone who shows up. Someone who does not leave her standing alone in the middle of plans she was excited about.
“I’ll go,” I hear myself say, shrugging like it is no big deal even though it feels huge in my chest. “If you want. I’ll go with you.”
Her head snaps up, eyes wide with surprise. For a second, hope flickers through them. Small, bright, fragile.
And seeing it makes every ounce of anger inside me burn hotter. Because she should never doubt that someone will choose her. She should never feel alone. Not as long as I am here.
She glances at me and wrinkles her brow. “You can’t just take off like that from work with no notice. It’s literally in just a few days.”
I shrug. “Why not? I’m the boss. I can do whatever I want.”
She bites her lip. “I do have an extra ticket.”
“So, let’s do it.”
“There’s only one room, Finn.”
“And?”
She looks at me as if she’s considering it. “You really want to go?”
I’d go anywhere with you Rowan. “Sure, it’ll be fun,” I say instead, playing it cool.
And I mean it.
“We can think about it,” she says softly.
I don’t need to think about it. I can tell she thinks I’m saying I’ll go out of pity, but I’m not. I’d follow this woman to the ends of the earth. But a week in Coconut Beach with her? Sign me up.