Chapter 11 Finn
CHAPTER ELEVEN
Finn
“Let there be light,” I shout, thrusting my hands out at my sides when the electricity comes back on.
The storm dwindled overnight, and now, in the light of day, things are a lot calmer outside. There’s a ton of snow out there, but at least there isn’t a raging blizzard wreaking havoc anymore.
“It’s too early for you to be this loud,” Riley groans, rubbing her hands over her face. She looks from side to side. “Also, there aren’t any lights on.”
The power went off in the middle of the night, so none of the lights were on. The humming noise that once again emanated from the fridge was what clued me in.
Riley’s leaning against the kitchen island. Her hair is a total mess. None of us has been able to shower since the power went out. We could have taken a cold shower, but that wasn’t exactly appealing.
Wait… what is she wearing?
Before we went to bed, she was wearing a T-shirt and sweatpants she got from Theo. Now she’s wearing one of Cole’s favorite hoodies over the other clothes.
Hmm…
Cole walks into the kitchen. His eyes catch on Riley. His steps stutter before he shakes his head and starts making coffee the regular way now that we have power.
“We need to get everything shoveled and plowed out,” he says. There’s an edge to his voice, and I know it’s because he’s anxious to check on Mav and Abby.
I’m worried about my little man, too. I love that kid.
“Let’s get some caffeine in us, then we’ll get to work,” Theo says.
“I can help,” Riley says.
“You don’t need to,” Theo tells her.
“You don’t even have snow gear,” Cole reminds her.
Riley lets out an annoyed breath. “Just give me whatever you have. I’ll make it work.”
Cole just stares at her.
“Do you really think I’m just going to sit in here and watch like a little damsel in distress while you guys do all the work?” she asks him.
I would generally make some smart-ass comment about how she is a damsel in distress when it comes to Cole. He’s saved her two different times now.
For once, I decide to keep my mouth shut. They already look like they want to strangle each other—no need to add more fuel to the fire.
Cole gives a barely perceivable shake of his head. “No, of course you wouldn’t.” I think he intended it to come across as more of a jab, but it reads genuine.
“Isn’t there some snow pants and boots in the garage from when Abby was here sledding with us last winter?” Theo asks, ever the peacekeeper.
“Perfect,” Riley says, beaming at Theo. “Suit me up and put me to work.”
I burst out laughing. “That sounds like you’re a dick waiting to get a condom put on you before the dirty deed.”
Riley’s mouth falls open in what I assume is shock. “What the fuck, Finn?” she says before bursting out laughing.
I can’t even start plowing a path out of here until I can get to the work garage. That’s where the truck is parked that has a plow rigged to the front of it for the winter.
So, here I am mucking out snow that’s damn near half my height. Some of the drifts are even taller than that.
My muscles burn, but I love it. I work out in an actual gym, but a lot of the muscle I have comes from honest work like this.
Cutting down trees, chopping and shaping the logs, and hauling everything from place to place make up the bulk of it, but there are also things like this in the off-season.
Riley did indeed bundle up in the clothes Abby left. Riley’s a little shorter than Abby, but she’s making it work. It’s a hell of a lot better than her trying to wear any of our stuff.
She’s with Theo in front of the house. I can’t see her. There’s too much snow in the way, but occasionally, a shovel full of snow will fly into the air.
There’s also the occasional grunt or laugh that rings through the quiet wilderness we live in.
I know those laughs wouldn’t be happening if she were with Cole instead of Theo, even if things have shifted in an almost imperceptible way.
There’s no doubt they’re still angry with each other, but seeing each other brought up a lot of different feelings, too.
The look on Cole’s face when he saw her in his clothes told me enough. He’s not over her, even if he wants us to believe otherwise.
I have no idea how long I’ve been at this, but there is a severe burn in my arms by the time I reach my destination. I peel off some of my layers and climb into Bertha.
Yes, the truck’s name is Bertha. She is old as shit but still runs like a dream. Well, a dream that makes odd noises from time to time.
She was the first vehicle I ever owned, and I’m pretty sure I’ll still have her around when I’m eighty.
I go on autopilot, plowing out the usual route around the property. It takes extra passes because there is just so much damn snow, and getting it where it needs to be takes several loads of the bucket.
The other three finished shoveling before I got the plowing done. I couldn’t hear what exactly was said, but Riley was not happy when my brothers were attempting to get her back inside the house.
Her hands flew all around her as she laid into them, and by them, I mean Cole. Most of her words were directed at him.
Finally, she threw her hands in the air and marched through the door Cole was holding open. Let's call it a victory that he held the door open, even if they were fighting when it happened.
Baby steps.
I don’t want Riley to disappear from our lives. Again. If she hates Cole a little less, that’s the only way that’s going to happen.
I might flirt with her in my obnoxious way to make her laugh, but I really do like her… like, a lot. I think I like her more than any other woman I’ve ever known.
I might like to have sex, but it’s never been anything serious for me. Feelings and sex have always been stored in separate parts of my brain.
Riley makes me think things could be different. I like hanging out with her, and I care a great deal about her.
I also think she’s sexy as fuck and has sported many boners because of her, but that’s not something I can let myself think about too much.
These are thoughts I should not have. It’s wrong for so many reasons. But I can’t get them to stop occupying my mind, so I have to settle for keeping them as inside thoughts that will never see the light of day.
It’s never going to happen. I need to be okay with just being her friend.