Chapter 7 Finley
SEVEN
FINLEY
“Hey there, Mama,” a soft voice coos, fingertips brushing a strand of stray hair from my cheek.
At first, I barely register it, desperate to stay in whatever dream I was wrapped up in just moments ago.
I don’t quite remember all of it, but by the light feeling in my chest, it was definitely a good one.
Humming a weak objection, I attempt to drift back off, but the voice echoes again—this time, a bit louder. “Finley, you fell asleep on the couch. Do you want to get in bed, so your back doesn’t hurt when you wake up?”
“Mhmm,” I affirm, still unable to fully wake.
I know someone is talking to me, and that I should go to my room, but I just can’t seem to break free from the clutches of my exhaustion.
I can’t even tell you with exact certainty how long I’ve been lying here.
All I remember is curling up next to Boner, putting on a movie, and giving in when my eyes began to grow heavy.
I honestly thought I’d feel less fatigued in the second trimester, but with everything going on, my brain shuts off whenever it wants to.
“I’m going to carry you,” the gentle voice says just as I feel two careful hands slide under my back and knees.
I’m lifted into the air, but only for a moment before being pulled tightly to a warm, thick body.
The smell of clean cotton surrounds me, and I can’t stop myself from snuggling in closer.
A soft heartbeat echoes against me, the rhythm like a lullaby, but as soon as we begin to move, I wake.
My eyes flutter open, attempting to focus in the dim light of the room.
The dreamland I was in just moments ago becomes reality, although when I lift my head, the sight in front of me isn’t too far off.
Theo’s deep blue eyes peer down at me, the warmth of his chest seeping through the fabric of our shirts.
His strong arms are supporting me as though I weigh nothing, his pulse beginning to speed up when our gazes finally lock.
That’s when reality settles in, and I realize that Theo Calloway is holding me—bridal style—and carrying me up to bed.
My eyes widen in horror, body freezing because what the fuck do I do? I’ve never been in a predicament quite like this one before—waking up in the arms of the hottest human being on the planet after falling asleep on his couch—and I’m unfamiliar with the etiquette.
“Morning, sleepyhead,” he says, sounding almost as exhausted as I am.
But the gravel in his voice only makes him more attractive, causing an unwelcome ache to bloom to life between my legs.
The second trimester may not have returned any of my energy, but my sex drive is back with a vengeance.
This doesn’t bode well for the fact that I’m painfully single, and apparently getting turned on by the most ridiculous things.
“Hi,” I croak. I raise a hand to cover my mouth because if he gets one whiff of my morning breath, I will simply pass away right here in the middle of his living room.
Thankfully, that doesn’t seem to happen as he slides my body down his until my feet touch the floor.
The unmistakable press of his ab muscles across my soft curves makes my brain go haywire for a moment, and I clear my throat, trying to pretend as though I’m not affected by any of this…
because I shouldn’t be. The poor guy is simply existing, and here I am, rubbing myself on him and getting wet from it.
You’re a certified pervert, Finley Bolton. Quit it.
“Sorry,” I apologize, untwisting the oversized T-shirt I’m wearing.
I must’ve really been out cold, because I’m all out of whack.
I can feel pieces of hair that have fallen from my ponytail tickling the skin of my face and neck.
I’m pretty sure one of my boobs has completely escaped my bra, and there’s definitely dried slobber on my cheek.
It could honestly be mine or Boner’s with the way we were cuddled up all night.
“Don’t be,” he replies, a boyish grin tugging at the corner of his mouth. “You both looked so cute, but I know you’d be more comfortable in bed. Sorry if that was weird of me to just pick you up like that. I shouldn’t ha—”
“No, you’re fine,” I interject, about three octaves higher than normal. It wakes the dog, but only for a moment before he sees that it’s just us standing here. He’s obviously too tired to be bothered with giving his dad a warm welcome, closing his eyes, and falling right back to sleep.
Theo’s expression goes soft as he stares at Boner, turning his attention back to me after a few seconds. “It’s almost four. Why don’t we go up to bed, and I’ll make breakfast before you head home? It’s the least I can do after you took such great care of him.”
Home. Fuck.
Reality hits me like a brick, and I drag both hands down my face with a groan.
I’m tired, but I’ve barely packed, and I still have to call around to see which hotels in the city have extended stay availability.
I’m admittedly unprepared, but in my defense, it’s hard to come up with a solid plan in less than a week.
“I should probably go. I have a lot to do today.”
He raises a brow, confused. “Before dawn? Finley, you’re growing a human being. You need rest…and food. What’s so important that it can’t wait? Also, why are you fidgeting?”
I look down, my mouth falling open when I realize that both of my pointer fingers are completely tangled in the hem of my shirt. I unwind them, clasping my hands behind my back, out of his view.
“It’s nothing,” I lie, not wanting to bother him with my problems. This relationship has already begun to toe the line between professional and friends, which is dangerous when I’m relying on the income at the moment.
This gig is a hell of a lot better than being on my feet serving drinks for hours at a time, and I really don’t want to fuck it up.
Avoiding eye contact, I pray that he’ll let it go, but of course, he doesn’t.
In fact, the concern that’s written across his face when I finally do meet his stare is so intense that I can’t help but shrink a bit.
Theo is insanely rich, living in the most beautiful house I’ve ever seen.
I’m sure he has no idea what it’s like to feel as lost as I do right now.
His hand lifts to my cheek, tucking my messy hair behind my ear.
It’s almost impossible not to lean into the tender touch, but I refrain, swallowing thickly as he studies my features.
“Talk to me, Fin,” he says quietly. “It can’t be nothing when you look so stressed out.
I know you don’t know me very well, but I’d love to change that.
You can tell me anything, and I promise not to let it leave this room. ”
I know he’s telling the truth. I can’t explain it, but ever since last week, I’ve felt this inexplicable trust in him.
He was the first person I willingly opened up to about my pregnancy, and all he did was sit there and listen—before offering a solution that made me feel a little less hopeless.
I never felt an ounce of judgment from him, even though my life is a literal mess.
So, why not tell him what’s changed since then?
If anything, at least I won’t be so burdened by the weight of holding it in.
Taking a deep breath, I exhale slowly, my shoulders dropping in defeat.
I absentmindedly begin toying with my T-shirt again, channeling some of the nervous energy that’s flowing through me before I finally speak.
“I found out last week that I have to move out of the condo I share with a couple of the other servers from the club. They made it very clear that my pregnancy didn’t fit their busy lifestyle and rented my room out to the girl Blaine hired to replace me.
Since my name isn’t on the lease, and I was never technically approved as a permanent tenant, I have no choice but to pack my bags and be out by Tuesday. ”
His jaw hardens, brows pulling tight before he catches himself and relaxes.
I can’t be sure, but I have an inkling that Theo is very protective of the people around him.
He’s such a laid-back and collected guy—maybe even a little awkward at times—but seems to go into caretaker mode when someone is in need.
It’s not something I’m used to, but I’d be lying if I said that it wasn’t a comfort.
He stays quiet, his expression giving me absolutely no indication of what he’s thinking, so I fill the empty air with more words.
“I’ve barely done anything, so the earlier I get back there, the more time I’ll have before the new girl arrives.
I’d rather not be there when that happens, anyway.
Them kicking me out is embarrassing enough as it is, you know?
” I huff a quiet laugh, trying to act like I’m not crushed by the whole situation.
With my mom off doing her own thing and Eric refusing to be here, even just for moral support, it would’ve been nice to know that Cecilia and Phoebe had my back.
I’m not particularly attached to either of them, but being so effortlessly tossed aside because I’m having a baby still sucks.
“Where are you going to go?” he asks, his tone calm, yet serious.
“You have another place set up to move into, right? Family that can help you out for a bit?” His head is tilted, concern evident in his ocean eyes.
I know he’s just trying to make sure I’m okay, but there’s no way to downplay the fact that I don’t have a long-term game plan.
I cringe. “No, no family. My mom isn’t around much, and I don’t have a dad.
But I’ll be okay. I’m going to put everything that I can’t fit into my suitcases in a small storage unit, and I’ll check into a hotel for a few days.
I signed up for an app where people post looking for roommates, so I’m sure something will open up soon.
” His gaze widens at my words, nostrils flaring.
“Not fucking happening,” he rushes out. At first, I think he’s kidding, but upon further inspection of his very unfunny demeanor, I realize that he isn’t.
His posture is rigid; arms crossed over his thick chest that’s suddenly heaving with heavy breaths.
He almost looks angry, but in a way that’s more desperate than scary.
“Excuse me?” I say, brows pulling taut. I’ve been making my own decisions since I was a kid, never facing pushback from anyone. So, the way he’s boldly opposing my idea is throwing me off—especially since I’m nothing more than the girl who watches his dog on the weekends.
“You heard me,” he says firmly. “Over my dead body will you be moving in with a stranger, let alone while you’re pregnant. It’s not safe, Finley. What happens when the person you’re living with turns out to be the exact opposite of what they said, and they hurt you or the baby?”
My jaw clenches, the tips of my ears heating as I become more frustrated.
I know he’s right, but what choice do I have?
Even with the money he’s paying me to care for Boner, renting an apartment in the city isn’t cheap.
I’d need to come up with a deposit, plus first and last month’s rent, all while paying for medical bills and buying everything for the nursery on my own.
Add in utilities, groceries, and transportation—I can’t do it without splitting the bills.
“Not everyone has a multimillion-dollar contract, Theo,” I toss back.
“Some of us are just scraping by. I’ve been doing this for as long as I can remember, and I always find a way to make it work.
Soon, I’ll be able to get a place of my own, but not right now.
When something opens up, I’ll do my research and make sure I’m not in danger.
I need to live with someone, though. It’s just the way it is. ”
“Fine,” he replies, extending his arms to his sides. “You want a roommate? He’s right here.”
I can’t hold back the boisterous laugh that bursts from my chest, causing Boner’s ears to perk up.
He watches—eyes full of intrigue as they bounce back and forth between me and his dad.
“You’re joking, right?” I say, looking around the gigantic room.
It’s all state-of-the-art technology and luxury furniture, and I’m completely out of place.
“If I can barely afford to split rent on a two-bedroom apartment in the city, what makes you think I could even put a dent in the cost of living here?”
He scoffs. “I’m not going to make you pay to live here.
I don’t give a fuck about anything other than your safety.
” The tension in his body softens, and he looks at me with nothing but sincerity written across his beautiful features.
“Please, Fin. I couldn’t live with myself if something happened to either of you and I didn’t try to stop it. ”
My eyes swim with unshed tears, and I bite down on my lower lip to hide the way it’s trembling.
This whole week has been a mind-fuck, starting with the day I got fired.
It’s been one thing after another, making me question whether or not I could take much more.
The only place I’ve felt content is right here in this house.
Theo and Boner, while still newcomers to my life, have shown more compassion and acceptance than I’ve gotten from anyone in a long fucking time.
So, maybe it wouldn’t hurt to stay while I’m figuring things out.
“Okay.” Relief washes over him as the assent leaves my lips, but I point an admonishing finger in his direction. “But I’m buying all the groceries. If you can’t agree to that, I’ll go find some serial killer with an extra bedroom. He’ll probably wear my skin like a bodysuit, so choose wisely.”
He barks a laugh, throwing his head back. I join in, giggling and feeling lighter than I have all week. “Whatever you say, Mama. Now get your butt in bed, and we’ll go get your stuff this afternoon.”
All right. I guess we’re really doing this.