Chapter 22
“What’s it like, being the most beautiful girl in the pub?”
“What’s it like, being the biggest liar in the world?”
Adelaide
Furious.
I don’t talk to the Uber guy. There’s no reason to bite his head off. I just seethe and cry angry fucking tears.
Irate.
Fucking incensed.
The words tumble through my mind as I search for the best one to describe this feeling. Sanskrit has ninety-six different words for love. The Eskimos have fifty. And I’m just sifting through all the words I can find for angry. There are some good ones, but none are quite strong enough.
Livid.
This whole thing can fuck right off.
I should have known, paid attention to the fact that he was nothing but a cheese-slinging Tumblr monkey. All about the lines. Picking up chicks. His conquests, scoring what he could, when he could and bragging all about it. Lowlife piece of shit.
The truly devastating part is that I did know. I’d heard all about the bar boys at McBride’s when I was in college. I’d seen his flirting in class and in the pub and been on the receiving end of his cheese. And I still let myself be convinced that I was different.
Turns out, it doesn’t matter how I set myself apart from whatever cookie-cutter mold there is, I’m just another chick. Apparently, there’s nothing special here.
I don’t know what to do with this feeling. I mean, I do.
Tears are still streaming down my face as I step out of the car and make my way up to my apartment. Fuming, raging, indignant tears.
I grab Eric from his crate and his leash from the table, and I head right back down the stairs.
Consistency with this dog. Hooking the leash to his collar, I pause, letting a small laugh bubble its way past the tears.
Every wiener should be properly restrained.
The more I think about it, the more I giggle and snort.
Thank God I have the sense of humor of a twelve-year-old boy.
I try to steer him to his usual patch of grass, but he tugs and pulls until he’s found the perfect spot on the wall of the Chinese place. I probably have to find a new place to order my General Tso’s since my dog is now peeing here.
And there it is. I have no control over the wieners in my world. None.
The rest of my night is filled with brownie batter. No need to waste time cooking that shit. It does the job just fine with a bowl and a spoon.
Eric burrows under the blankets and snuggles with me, doing everything he can to make me feel better, and after scrolling through my Pinterest board, I decide it’s time for a change.
* * *
My phone pings and vibrates during the next couple of days.
Most of the calls and messages are from Cúl Tóna.
I Googled how to say dickhead in Gaelic.
Those go unanswered, and I don’t bother even looking through the peephole when anyone knocks on the door.
I’m not hiding. I just don’t want to mess around with the Dick Who Shall Not Be Named.
I stepped out of my comfort zone and peopled, putting myself out there, and obviously, it didn’t have great results. Not quite ready to deal with any of that, I throw myself into my real job.
Referrals have been flying in since I did Aidan’s website, so many that I can easily lose myself in the quiet orderliness of designing and coding. All I need to do is get Eric’s sleep cycle adjusted a little so that I don’t have to leave my apartment as much during normal people times.
Eric, of course, is resistant to change.
Most change since, all of a sudden, he can’t seem to pass the damn Chinese restaurant without having to pee on the wall.
When there are treats involved, he’s even quiet when the inevitable knocking starts on my door.
Although the little dick does go cry at the door when he hears Finn’s voice through it.
There is nothing worse than a weepy wiener.
We’ll get through this.
I work nonstop through the weekend and email the director at the community center, Anne, letting her know that I’m out for the rest of the classes. There are only a handful left, and to be honest, Virginia can cover them. She’s taken that class so many times, she knows the material inside and out.
Anne isn’t having it though.
“Adelaide, you’re one of the best instructors we have. You’re gifted with the ability to break down the concepts for the…more mature attendees,” she quips.
I couldn’t blow off her phone call.
“Maybe age is the problem,” I mumble.
“Problem with what?”
“Nothing. Just thinking about a different problem.”
“The young man currently enrolled in the class? Is he the one you’re concerned with?” she asks softly.
“What? No—it’s—he’s—”
“Virginia called to let me know he won’t be back. Was he inappropriate, honey? I’ve seen him around, usually helping the ladies into their cars, holding doors. Always using lovely manners, but then I’m sure age could be a factor there.”
“He quit?”
“Mmhmm. Virginia didn’t give a reason, just to let you know. She said you’d most likely be calling to back out of the rest of the session. So, since he’s not an issue, we’ll see you tomorrow.” Anne’s singsong voice fades well before she ends the call.
* * *
And, true to that message, Finn’s seat is empty. But they all are. There is not a soul here today. My ladies are never late. I glance around the room—from the door to the clock and back again.
Finally, at five after, Louise walks in and hands me a cup of coffee before sitting down.
“Thanks, Lou.” I take a sip. “Where’re the others?”
Before she can answer, Esther comes in with a box of cookies. A small one just for me, and they look suspiciously like the ones Finn made. She hands them to me and hugs me.
Ellie walks through the door with a beautiful scarf tie-dyed with pinks, teals, and blues. She wraps it around my neck and plants a grandma kiss on my cheek. I’m stunned absolutely silent.
Connie’s next with a to-go container from the diner. I crack open the lid even though I know what’s in there. The smell of sausage wafts out, and I snort-giggle, thinking of how his cheesy comments started being kind of cute.
The gifts keep coming. A fresh box of the super-soft tissues I brought him when he was sick. That one I open right away to dab at the weird emotions leaking out of my eyes.
“What is all this?” I sniff. Katherine just smiles and pats my arm.
No one responds. Instead, Sue walks in with a stuffed dog toy—Flounder from my favorite animated movie. She squeaks it twice before handing it to me and taking her seat.
Delores, the new student, walks through the door with a dog leash coiled in her hand. There are goofy sharks sporting oversize fins embroidered all down the length of it. Fins for Finn? I huff out a laugh, pursing my lips. I really want to just be pissed off, but he’s making it really hard.
The ladies have dribbled in the door, bearing gifts, over the past half hour. Looking up, I’m met with seven sweet smiles. The only one missing is Virginia.
“He set you all up to do this?” I ask through some errant sniffles.
Not a peep. Normally, these women don’t shush long enough for me to get through what I’m supposed to on a given day, but today, they have nothing to say.
Nothing.
Virginia slides up to the door and props her hip against it. “I like the new color.” She nods at me, eyeing my blue-and-silver ombre waves.
“Thanks.”
Virginia extends her arm, an envelope in her hand. “This is the last of it, honey. I’ll take over class and keep the girls in line.” She follows this up with a wink. A Finn wink.
I side-eye her pretty hard as I fumble to open the card without spilling my coffee. Surprised by the beautiful handwriting, I take in the words before looking up at Virginia. “Did you write this for him because—”
“Nope. My handwriting sucks, and you know it.” She leans in and wraps me in a big hug, whispering, “Hear him out. That boy has it bad for you.”
Connie hands me my computer case and a big floral bag full of all my presents.
Loaded down, I bite at my lip and reread his words as I stalk outside.
Adelaide,
Please come outside.
—Finn
“Why are you blocking my car, Finnegan?”
His car is angled behind mine, preventing my escape.
“It’s just Finn. And I need to make sure you listen to me.”
It’s warm for the end of March. The sun is shining, and Finn has his sleeves rolled up past his elbows. He’s leaning back, ass against the hood of his car, ankles crossed. Thumbs in his pockets, fingers dangling.
“What do I need to listen to, Finnegan? Stealing my best friends and having them do your dirty work isn’t going to fix having BMCF naked on your couch.” I pop my brows as high and judgy as I can manage, taking an exaggerated sip of my coffee.
“BMCF?”
“Bitchy McCuntface. Or has she been replaced with a new one since then?”
“No.” He snorts out a laugh. “Well, yes, actually. And it’s just Finn.”
“We’re done. Move your car, please, and let me leave, Finnegan.”
He pushes off his car and walks toward me. Relieving me of my bags, he plucks my coffee from my hand and takes a sip before setting it on the roof of my SUV. “I won’t. Not yet, not until you listen to me, Adelaide.
“Your BMCF, or Marlee, has been replaced. She was replaced a couple of months ago, about the time I tried to use a continuing ed class to get my new laptop set up. I met someone with a quick wit and a smart mouth, someone who’s far more interesting.
” He takes a step closer to me, reaching out to slide a lock of hair through his fingers.
“And it’s just Finn. That’s it, not short for anything. ”
“Fine, whatever. That doesn’t change the fact that you were playing me.
Having her spend the night after we went out?
That’s fucking shitty, Finnegan. And she has a key to your apartment?
” I am full-on pissed, finger poking his chest, punctuating each word.
“I was just the challenge. The chick who didn’t buy your line of bullshit and give it up at the first flash of your cute fucking wink. ”
“You think my wink is cute?” He steps closer again, and his smile splits his face.
“Jesus, that’s all you took from that?” Pushing against his chest, I try to give myself some space. Lord knows, I have to remind myself not to get lost in his eyes as it is.
“That was just my favorite part. But, no, I’m not toying with you.
I did go home with her—once. Well before I met you.
And, as for having access to my flat, her father is my landlord.
She stole the key and let herself in. She was passed out drunk on St. Patrick’s Day when I got home from our date.
Christ, I had to sit in the fucking car park of McBride’s for a half hour to let my windows clear and get some blood flow back to my brain.
I was too exhausted to try to take her home, so I covered her up—on the sofa—and locked my bedroom door.
“And the other night? I don’t know what that was.
I’ve told her it can’t happen again. Told her I’m not interested.
At all.” He takes the final step into my space, my back against the side of the car.
“And, if you’d like, I’ll call my mum. Right now, so we can settle the name thing.
” He slides his phone out of his pocket, taps at the screen, and holds it between us.
“What are you doing?”
The screen lights up with a video of a woman who can only be Finn’s mother. They have the same dark-red curls, same cheekbones. The same mischievous grin.
“Mum, I need you to settle something for me.”
“Of course, hon. Is that Addie with you? Hello, dear.”
I try to blink away the fact that his mom knows who I am, but it’s useless.
As I say, “Hello,” Finn talks over me and says, “It’s Adelaide, Mum. Anyway, what’s my name? My full name.”
He winks at me. That fucking wink kills me.
“Finn Francis Michael O’Meara. Have you hit your head and can’t remember?” She winks the same damn wink.
“So, Finn’s not short for anything?” His left eyebrow is creeping higher up on his forehead as he waits for her answer.
“Of course not,” Mrs. O’Meara scoffs. “What else can I help you with?”
“That’s it, Mum. Thank you. I’ll talk to you again at our regular time on Sunday, yeah?”
They blow kisses at each other and end the chat with a quick, “I love you.”
“So, Adelaide, I am just Finn. And I never encouraged Marlee’s behavior, and I hope to never encounter her again outside of McBride’s. I’d be fine with never seeing her there again either. And I’d really like for us to pick up where we were so rudely interrupted.” He tilts my face to meet his gaze.
He stares at my mouth as I chew at my bottom lip. I briefly look away before he draws my attention back to him, swiping his thumb over my poor, abused flesh.
I quickly rise up onto my toes, delivering a sweet kiss. “It’s Addie.”