“Really good thanks.” And she was. At least in that he could tell the truth. He and his little sister were building a relationship.
I never stopped loving you.His father’s words had rolled around and around inside his head since he’d spoken them.
Maybe some of his reaction had been fear too. It wasn’t just his father that had thrown him off-balance. The feelings he had for Maggie had done that. The lovemaking, having her in his house. The fact she fit him in every way. Her humor, zany nature, love of art. He loved all of her.
Christ, is it love?
“Your face looks like it’s been bleached all of a sudden, Fin. You feeling all right?”
“He’s screwed up and realizing that fact, is my guess,” Joe said.
“What’s he screwed up?” Luke asked.
What he felt for her was new and fresh, and mix that with his father and you got one hell of a headache.
“Not sure, but we’ll leave it there for now,” Joe said, much to Fin’s relief.
“Did you see Calvin Harding has returned?” Luke said.
“Calvin Harding who grew up here and had a big thing for Maggs?”
The words gave Fin a jolt, but he kept his expression calm.
“Arrived a few days ago. Apparently Maggs and Bailey were at Phil’s, and he just walked in. Shocked the hell out of Maggs. She squealed, he smiled, and then they hugged,” Joe said.
“Pip said he was back to visit his family. I think he has other reasons,” Luke said.
“What reasons?” Fin didn’t like the acid that had started swishing about in his gut even though he knew they were deliberately messing with him.
“The ‘I missed you Maggs and didn’t realize how much until I saw you again’ reason,” Luke added.
Stay calm.
“Nice enough guy,” Dylan said, “if a bit slick.”
“He has that thing too.” Jack clicked his fingers.
“Thing?” Fin snapped.
“Thinks he’s a bit special. A bit cooler than us.”
“Which is not hard, to be fair,” Luke added, looking at his brothers. Joe’s hair had yet to meet a brush, and Jack’s shorts were ripped and his toe poked through his sneaker.
“We can do style when we need to,” Jack protested.
Fin would make sure he hunted this Calvin Harding down now, but that was after he’d talked to Maggs.
“You need to move quicker there, bud. The handsome prince has swooped into town and could mess with your plans,” Jack said.
“Nice for Maggs then, having her friend back,” he said.
“Real nice. Especially as they were so close.”
The anger was so fast, it nearly dropped him to his knees.
“I know what you’re doing,” he snarled.
“What?” Joe raised a brow.
