Chapter 11 #2
Before Finn could begin to process that, Riley continued.
“You were there when I met Nikki and after she left. You saw what torture that was for me, for months, not knowing if I’d ever see her again.
You really want to go through hell like I did before you pull your head out of your ass and figure out that everything you want and need is right here?
How long do you think you’re going to be back in Connecticut before you realize you’ve made the biggest mistake of your life? ”
Finn held the phone away from his ear, waiting for Riley to finish his tirade.
“Finn!”
“Oh, are you finished?”
“Did you hear anything I said?”
“I heard every word.”
“So you’re staying, and that’s it.”
“I never said that.”
“I don’t get it, Finn. You say you want to get a life.
You have a life—a damned good one right here, and now there’s this possibility with Chloe, and you’re going to just chuck that without even trying to see what it might be?
I never regretted anything more in my entire life than letting Nikki leave before I had a chance to know her.
It took about two seconds after I realized she was gone to know that I had missed out on something important.
If you leave without pursuing this thing with Chloe, I promise you won’t even be clear of the breakwater before you want to come back. ”
“She says it’s not what she wants.”
“Bullshit. Nikki and I both saw the way she looked at you at Janey’s, as if she wanted something she couldn’t have. You have to earn her trust so she’ll feel safe to give you a chance.”
“What if it’s not about trust? What if she genuinely doesn’t want the same things I do?”
“If that’s the case, then at least you’ll know you tried. If you don’t try, you’ll regret it. I promise you that.”
Finn already knew that, but Riley’s words had stirred something in him and lit a fire that couldn’t be contained. “Should I go over there?”
“Hell yes.”
“What if she tells me to get lost?”
“Then leave. But if you don’t go…”
“I’ll never know.”
“Exactly. Go for it, Finn.”
“Okay.” The fire became an inferno of need and want and desire to feel the way he did with her. Only with her. “Crap. I had three beers. Can’t drive.”
“I’ll call Ned. He’ll come get you.”
“You’re sure this is the right thing to do, Ri?”
“I’m positive. I’ll call Ned now. Keep an eye out for him.”
“Should I text her?”
“Text her when you’re there. Tell her you’re outside, and it’s totally her call whether she wants to see you or not. Leave it up to her. Say you’ll leave if she says no.”
“Okay. I’m kind of nervous.”
“Because she matters, Finn. That’s what makes her different from everyone else. If you weren’t nervous, I wouldn’t tell you to go to her. I’m calling Ned now. Text me later and let me know how it went.”
“I will. Thanks, Ri.”
“No problem.”
For a long time after Riley ended the call, Finn stared at the phone in his hand, trying to get his head around what he’d just agreed to do.
He was going to her house. He would see her again soon.
The tingling began at the back of his neck and danced down his spine, replacing his nervousness with excitement.
Finn went inside to splash water on his face, comb his hair and brush his teeth.
Then he put on a small dab of cologne and immediately felt silly for doing that.
What did he think was going to happen? She’d probably tell him to get lost. Hell, she might even be asleep already after a long day at work and another one on tap for tomorrow.
This was stupid.
He shouldn’t go over there.
Except the tingling continued unabated, just from the thought of seeing her again. And then a toot from outside let him know Ned had arrived. Finn stared at his reflection in the mirror. “Here goes nothing.”
Or maybe everything.
Riley was right. If he didn’t try, he’d never know for sure.
Finn walked out of the house and got into the woody station wagon driven by Big Mac’s best friend, Ned Saunders. “Hope I didn’t get you out of bed.”
“Nah. I was out and about seein’ as my wife is sitting with Tiffany’s kids while she does inventory at the store. Blaine had ta go ta the mainland. Somethin’ about his brother being in trouble. Gotta pick up the missus in half an hour. Where we goin’? Yer brother didn’t say when he called me.”
Finn gave him the address.
“That’s where Chloe lives.”
“I know.”
Ned glanced over at him. “You been keepin’ things from us?” Ned was like an uncle to all the McCarthy kids and was usually in the know about everything in their lives.
“Nope.”
“Hmmm. Chloe’s a nice girl.”
“I agree.”
They rode in silence along the island’s dark, winding roads, stopping at the end of Chloe’s driveway a few minutes later. “No need to pull in.”
“How ya getting’ home?”
“I’ll walk. No worries.”
“Don’t be ridiculous. You’ll get yerself killed walking out here in the middle of the night. Call me. I’ll come getcha.” He handed Finn a business card. “Don’t matter what time ’tis.”
“Thank you.”
“That girl… She’s tough on the outside, but there’s somethin’ almost fragile ’bout her. Can’t put my finger on what, but there’s somethin’.” Ned looked over at him. “Be careful with her, ya hear?”
“I hear you, and I will. I promise.”
Ned seemed satisfied with Finn’s assurances.
He got out of the car and waved to Ned as he drove away, leaving Finn alone in the dark. And dark on Gansett Island was a whole other level of dark. With every nerve ending in his body alive with need, Finn withdrew his phone and sent a text to Chloe.
Are you still up?
Yes…
I’m outside. Can I see you?
For a long, agonizing minute, there was nothing, and then the bubbles appeared that indicated she was replying. He held his breath.
You’re here?!?
Yes, but not in a weird stalker way. I promise. I just want to talk to you. The minute you and Ranger left my house, I missed you. He pressed Send before he could talk himself out of saying something so revealing.
From his vantage point at the end of her driveway, he saw a light go on over her door.
Where are you? I don’t see your truck.
Ned dropped me. I had too many beers to drive.
She opened the door and called to him. “Are you really out there?”
He walked down the driveway toward the light. “I really am.”
“What’re you doing here, Finn?”
“I don’t know, Chloe.” The uncertainty he’d heard in her voice had him wondering if this was the worst idea Riley had ever had. Finn took a step back, regretting that he’d allowed his brother to talk him into this ill-fated mission. “I’ll go if you want me to. I shouldn’t have come.”
“Don’t go.”
He stopped.
She’d removed her makeup, which left her seeming far more vulnerable than usual, as if she’d lost her armor. Then she rolled her bottom lip between her teeth, and the vulnerability was all he saw.
“Chloe…”
She opened the door and held it open, inviting him into her home.