Chapter 48 Alexis
ALEXIS
A few days later, Marcee eventually agrees to go on a walk together. It’s tense, and she’s definitely still mad at me, but I feel like I can breathe again just being around her.
“Marcee, I know you don’t want to talk about it. And I promise not to give details.” She gives me a pointed look. I'm known for oversharing my sexual exploits, and she usually loves to hear about it, but obviously it would be beyond weird now.
“But I never meant to hurt you. It just sort of happened, which I know is lame to say, but it’s the truth. I didn’t have some devious plan to date your dad, but—and I know this is awkward—but I really like him, Marcee.”
She stops, staring at me. “It was him, wasn’t it? The guy you met that ended things then you got hammered and imploded?” Her tone is so accusatory that I shrink into myself, but I slowly nod. It’s time to be honest with her.
“Yeah, that was him and—” She cuts me off, holding her hand closer to my face than I appreciate, but I tamp down the urge to swat it away.
“Honestly, Lexie, I don’t want to hear anything from you about whatever the fuck is going on with you and my dad.
” She emphasizes the word dad like a child stamping their foot yelling ‘Mine!’ over a toy.
Again, I take a cleansing breath, trying to put myself in her shoes.
Before I can think of what to say, she turns away from me.
“I’m not ready to just be over it yet, Lexie. I need time, okay?”
My heart sinks a little at the comment, but I swallow down any retort.
“Take whatever time you need, Marcee. I’ll be here waiting whenever you’re ready. You can scream, throw stuff at me, even key my car if that helps.” She laughs at my attempt to lighten the moment, but it feels forced.
“Finn, are you sure?” Cradling the phone between my ear and shoulder, I dig through my purse looking for my keys.
“Yes, I want to spend Thanksgiving with both of you. I know things are still a bit strained, but it won’t get better by just ignoring it. I think Marcee needs to see us together, see that we’re happy and that us together doesn’t change our relationships with her.”
I know he’s right, but I also think forcing a holiday get-together is asking for trouble.
Biting the inside of my cheek, I keep that thought to myself.
“Okay, if you think that’s the best way, of course I'll be there. But Finn, if she isn’t ready for it, I can just come by after she leaves.
It’s not like I haven’t spent holidays alone before. ”
“And I hate that for you and refuse to let it happen anymore.”
I love the way he gets all protective of me. It’s not something I’ve ever experienced and I’m not gonna lie, I could get used to it. “So, what’s the plan?”
A week later, I’m in Finn’s kitchen making mashed potatoes and sweating up a storm, my nerves getting the better of me.
Something in my gut tells me this is going to end badly, and I'm scared to death over it. Strong hands slide across my stomach, encircling my waist. I lean back into Finn’s embrace, loving the sense of comfort that washes over me as soon as he is near.
He holds me tight for a few seconds before moving to the fridge.
“Stop worrying. Everything will be great.”
Unwilling to share my negative thoughts, I smile and keep working. “When is Marcee getting here?”
“She should be here anytime. She's only staying for a couple hours. Her new boyfriend—that isn’t a boyfriend, because they aren’t doing labels.” The last part is said with air quotes and more than a little sarcasm. “Invited her to spend the evening with his family.”
“What a dad thing to say,” I joke, trying to cover how hard it hit me that she has a new guy in her life that I know nothing about. I’m happy for her, of course, but I’ve always known everything in her life, and it hits like a physical blow that we are not what we used to be.
“Dad, I come bearing gifts of pie!” Marcee’s voice fills the house as she walks into the kitchen balancing two pies in her hands. Finn takes them from her and carries them into the dining room.
“Hope you didn’t want whipped cream on your pies, it’s kinda ruined for me.” She says it low enough for only me to hear.
Pasting on a smile at the jab but refusing to take the bait, I turn and say, “I’m good, just glad you’re here. Food will be ready in a few minutes, I know you don’t have a lot of time.”
Her eyes narrow on me, but she bites back whatever she was going to say as her dad comes in. Now that her hands are empty, he pulls her in for a hug, her face instantly lighting up, sending a pang through my chest. I guess it’s just me that she isn’t ready to forgive.
Dinner is uneventful. Marcee chats easily with Finn, and responds to direct questions from me, but it feels stiff. Finn is such a male and completely oblivious to the tension, smiling and squeezing my hand under the table. Marcee catches the movement and moves to stand.
“Food was great, and I’m so sorry to eat and run, but I think it's time for me to go,” she announces suddenly. Finn’s face drops at her early departure but schools his features.
“Want a leftover plate to take back with you? Or maybe one of the pies?” I hop up, trying to dispel some of the awkwardness.
“No, thanks. I’m headed straight to Jake's place and there will be even more food.”
As she gathers her stuff, I pull Finn to the side. “Let me walk her out alone, please?”
His smile is kind and understanding. “Good luck, baby,” he whispers before calling over my shoulder, “Great seeing you, honey, drive safe!”
I follow Marcee out to her car, running my hands over my dress and trying to dry the sweat off them. Things have never been like this between us and it's killing me.
“Marcee, wait.” She pauses with her car door halfway open.
“What do you want, Lexie? I’m going to be late.” Her tone is curt and she won't meet my gaze.
“Look, I know things are still weird, and I know you’re still mad at me, but thank you for coming.
It meant a lot to us.” Something flares in her eyes but she stays silent.
Reaching out, I put my hand on hers that is still holding the top of her car door.
“I miss you, Marce. You’re my best friend. You mean everything to me. Please.”
She looks to the house before extracting her hand from mine. “I’m over it.” Flipping her hair, she turns away.
“No, you clearly are not, Marcee. I know you better than anyone and you are not okay with it.”
“With you.”
“What?”
“I’m not okay with you, Lexie. All that big talk about changing and starting over at college.” She looks me up and down, scrunching her nose like she smells something nasty. “But you are still Sexy Lexie, a cheap piece of ass that my dad will grow tired of in no time.”
I flinch at her vitriol tone, blinking back tears. “Marcee, please.” My voice cracks.
“Fuck that, Lexie, you don’t get to cry and play the victim. Just because your dad doesn’t want you, doesn’t mean you had to go after mine. And when he gets past this little mid-life crisis, guess what, Lexie? I won’t be there to pick up the pieces of your wrecked life.”
She gets in the car and I don’t try to stop her.
Standing in the driveway, I watch her drive off feeling completely devastated.
The front door opens and closes. I swipe away the tears and straighten my back.
No way in hell am I telling Finn any of this.
Turning, I meet him with a bright smile.
“Marcee may have forgotten the whipped cream, but I didn’t.
Did you save any room for more dessert?”
Finn hauls me off my feet, throwing me over his shoulder and slapping my ass hard enough to have me yelping as he takes me inside.
Marcee may be right, but I’ll be damned if I let her words hurt him.
I was the one that said to wait on telling her; I can carry the burden of her anger, and as much as I hate to admit it, I’m scared he might rethink our relationship if he heard what she said.