Chapter 14 Finley
FOURTEEN
FINLEY
“Are you sure you’re going to be okay?” Theo asks, concern lacing his features as he stands by the door. He has an early practice this morning, but has been stalling for the past thirty minutes. I can tell he’s worried about leaving me, even though I’ve made it perfectly clear that I’m fine.
“Yes,” I reply, leaning my hip against the counter and raising a playful brow to lighten the mood. “You eased all my pain last night with your tongue. I promise, I’m good.”
He huffs a quiet laugh, the ghost of a smile tugging at his lips, but it doesn’t reach his eyes. Something is definitely weighing on him, and I’m guessing the events of this morning have a lot to do with it.
I woke up around four o’clock, my bladder screaming at me to get up and go pee.
I had every intention of getting back into bed with him for a few more hours, but my mind refused to shut off.
I stared at him as he slept without a care in the world, his arm splayed across to where I had been lying just moments before.
Memories from the way he took care of my body played on repeat in my head, and while I should be filled with regret over giving in to my raging hormones with the man who is currently my closest friend, I’m just… not.
And that scares the shit out of me.
I’ve told myself over and over for months that my baby wouldn’t grow up in the same situation I did.
I don’t want her to have a revolving door of men that she gets attached to, just to watch them walk away a few months later and blame herself for it.
I was convinced that it would be easy to keep my walls up with how high the stakes are, but last night with Theo put a huge crack in them, and now I don’t know what to think.
Which is why I’ve been up for hours, deep cleaning the kitchen like a maniac in an attempt to keep from spiraling.
“And us?” he says, breaking through my thoughts.
“Are we okay?” I look up to find nervousness twisting his expression, his brows pulled tight, and his teeth worrying his lower lip.
The sight causes my heart to sink, a hollow pit forming in my stomach because he’s far too beautiful to be upset—especially when he’s gone out of his way to make sure that I’m taken care of.
I push off the counter, erasing the space between us and snaking my arms around his neck. Strong hands find my waist, the tension in his shoulders melting away as his thumbs begin to sweep back and forth.
“We’re good,” I whisper, raising to my tiptoes and pressing my mouth to his.
He returns the kiss, his warm tongue ghosting over the seam of my lips and pushing inside when they part.
He swallows the quiet moan that escapes me when his fingers drift down, gripping onto my ass and hauling me into him.
We make out like teenagers, all the anxiety that’s been building inside me since I woke up falling away with every stroke of his tongue against mine.
Entirely too soon for my liking, he breaks the connection, breathing a relieved sigh as his forehead drops to mine. “I thought I fucked it up. You were—”
“Freaking out a little bit,” I cut in, finishing his sentence. “Last night was unexpected, but I don’t regret any of it. I’m just trying to process everything.”
He nods, lifting a hand to my cheek. “Process however you need to, baby. I’m here if you want to talk, but I meant it when I said there’s no pressure for anything more. As long as you’re here, I’m happy.”
“I’m not going anywhere, Theo.” A soft smile plays at my lips. “Now will you please get out of here before you get fired?”
He rolls his eyes, kissing me chastely as he backs away.
“They wouldn’t fire me. Who else has hands like these?
” He raises said hands, wiggling his fingers.
My imagination runs off, my pussy clenching around nothing when I remember how they felt inside me.
I wish he didn’t have to leave right now, because I’d much rather be in his bed than preparing to clean out the vegetable drawer.
He tosses the strap of his duffel bag over his shoulder, shoots a charming wink my way, and disappears into the garage.
The engine of his truck roars to life, eventually fading into the distance as he heads out of the driveway.
I hate that I miss him already, although that’s nothing new.
I’ve been finding myself counting down the minutes every time he’s away, then watching out the window in anticipation when it’s time for him to return.
I guess it’s safe to say that Theo Calloway is my best friend.
I chuckle under my breath, turning to the refrigerator as my phone vibrates against the marble countertop.
I assume it’s Theo checking in on me already, as he sometimes does, which is why I’m surprised when a text notification from Sydney Grant flashes across my screen.
I exchanged numbers with all the girls the day I moved in here, and they added me to their group chat immediately.
Even though I haven’t known them long outside of serving their drinks at the club, they’ve made me feel so accepted.
SYDNEY:
Are we still on for girls’ night? I’m in need of a facial that doesn’t end in me being severely underwhelmed.
LIVVY:
You’re not talking about beauty treatments, are you?
SYDNEY:
No. No, I’m not.
(Livvy Grant has left the chat.)
(Sydney Grant has added Livvy Grant to the chat.)
LIVVY:
I hate it here.
BAILEY:
Syd, we all know you’d never let a man come on your face. You’re not subby enough for that. Livvy, on the other hand…
STELLA:
Is it too soon to say roll the tape?
LIVVY:
*slow claps* I can’t even be mad at that one. Well done, Hayes.
STELLA:
Thank you.
BAILEY:
To answer your question, yes. Girls’ night is a-go. Finley’s future husband is hosting the guys, since there’s a baseball game, which means they’ll be out of our hair.
ME:
OMG stop calling him that. We’re friends.
LIVVY:
Been there. Told that lie.
ME:
It’s not like that. I’m pregnant by another man.
SYDNEY:
Theo is crazy about you and your baby. You may not think it’s like that, but it is.
BAILEY:
I concur.
Anyway, be here at seven. I got a new red light therapy mask, and I’m dying to try it out. I did plenty of research, and it’s completely safe for our mama-to-be, so you’ll all be glowing by the time you leave.
ME:
That sounds heavenly. See you then!
I set the phone back down, with an extra pep in my step while I return to the work I started earlier. Boner eventually joins me, the two of us having our own little dance party as I let him finish off the leftover chicken from the refrigerator.
By the time I’m finished, I’m in dire need of a nap.
Even though I slept like a baby after last night’s festivities, I still get fatigued easily, so if I don’t at least lie down, I’ll end up falling asleep on Bailey’s spa table.
I’ve been looking forward to my first girls’ night since I was invited, and I don’t want to miss a second of it.
I head up the stairs with my cuddle buddy hot on my heels, turning toward Theo’s room without so much as a second thought. The mattress he got for me is so comfortable, but it doesn’t smell like him, and I know I’ll sleep better wrapped in his soft, clean scent.
Passing through the doorway, I make a beeline for the bed, lying down just as Boner hops up beside me.
I giggle as he spins around several times, nuzzles my belly, then snuggles into it.
It’s sort of his thing—always needing to be as close to the baby as possible, like they’re already the best of friends.
I turn my head into the pillow, my entire body relaxing as I begin to drift off.
For the first time in my adult life, there isn’t an unshakable weight pressing down on my chest. There’s air in my lungs and a beautiful life growing inside me.
I’m cared for, supported, and no longer scared of what tomorrow may bring.
The future may be uncertain, but with my new support system, I finally feel like I belong.