We went up to bed before Finn could catch us cuddling on the grass. Although I could have easily spent the night out there with her. I thought it would take me hours to fall asleep. Instead, I took Ivy’s advice and tried to think positively. My mum needs me to be strong for her, and I will.
All my prayers are with her right now, and I hope someone out there will give her another chance at life because she doesn’tdeserve this. I don’t want to lose her. I can’t imagine life without her.
But it’s not the end.
I wake up earlier than usual, no doubt my mind is working overtime, but at least I got a solid seven hours of sleep. I stand from my bed and jump in the shower before heading downstairs.
I make myself breakfast and sit at the kitchen island in silence, dwelling on last night and trying to digest the phone call, forcing the pessimistic thoughts away.
Finn walks down the stairs twenty minutes later, he’s shirtless and rubbing his eyes.
“Morning, bro,” he calls out as he makes his way to the fridge and drinks orange juice from the carton. “You good?”
“Morning.” I nod as I take my plate to the dishwasher. “Yeah, fine. You?”
Finn studies me as he leans on the fridge. “You don’t sound good.”
I shrug it off. “I got a call about my mum last night,” I admit, and Finn’s expression softens. “But I don’t want to talk about it.”
“Okay,” he says gently. “But if you do want to talk, I’m always here. You know that, right?”
I chew on my lip and meet his green eyes. “Yeah, of course.”
“Shall we head out today?” he suggests. “Grab some lunch at the pub, have a drink, go for a walk. What do you say? It’ll keep you distracted.”
His plans sound like exactly what I need. If I stay in this house all day, I’ll find myself staring at my phone hopelessly, waiting for a call to tell me that everything will be okay. But realistically, I know that’s not going to happen as these things take time, and I don’t need to torture myself with that possibility.
“You’re not working?”
“Nah.” He shakes his head. “Got today and tomorrow off. So let’s head out, I’ll buy you a beer.”
I perch back on the stool and smile as he downs another gulp of the juice. “Are you sure you’re not broke?”
“That’s why I got a job.” He holds up his hands in defence. “And note how I only saidabeer.”
A small laugh passes my lips. “Alright, fine. Sounds good.”
Soon, another pair of footsteps makes it down the stairs, and I glance up to find Ivy dressed in one of those summer dresses that make men go feral. What is it about them? Most likely the way you can flick up the back and pull down their panties easily, sexy and cute all at the same time.
I almost slap myself for having such thoughts when her brother is standing right beside me.
Her hair is slicked back into a tiny ponytail, and I get a good view of those cheekbones and plump, glossy lips. The blue dress that clings to her body has me quivering in my seat after last night.
I want her wrapped up in my arms. Even if Finn will never allow it.
I’d kill for a moment like that again. Just us and the stars.
Yeah, I’ve gone soft for the woman I should be staying away from.
Her eyes collide with mine as she inches closer. “Hey,” she calls out to both of us, but doesn’t look away from me. Her expression is warmer than I’ve seen in the past, and it makes me want to take a picture and hold onto it forever.
“Hey.” I offer her a smile.
Ivy turns to Finn, and she grimaces. “Ew, why do you always do that? I don’t want to drink your saliva.”
Finn spills some of the orange liquid down his bare chest, and I cringe at how sticky he will be. “I’ll buy some more.”
She snatches it from his hand and scowls at him. “You are a monster. Wait till Mum and Dad get home and you can’t parade around like a caveman anymore.”
