“It was a very heated argument,” I say, sitting on the barstool and setting my elbows on the counter with a sigh.
“About what? I’ve seen them in a room together and each usually pretends the other doesn’t exist.”
My exhale is a shaky laugh. “Yeah, that didn’t happen downstairs.”
I focus on the box of donuts, opening it and looking at each of them. I’ve known my stepbrother since I was eight years old. Unlike some stepsiblings, we never had an awkward stage. When we met, it was as if we’d always been brother and sister. Our dynamic has never changed throughout the years. If anything, after the loss of my dad, we became closer.
We always share when we’re seeing someone, even if it’s casual, but for some reason, I can’t bring myself to share this. Maybe it’s because I’ve heard the way Damian and his friends constantly make jokes about the puck bunnies who “think they have a golden pussy that’ll make Finn want a repeat.” It’s disgusting, but unfortunately, it’s the kind of talk I’ve gotten used to. Not that the women’s locker room is much better.
“I didn’t even know Finn had moved here,” I comment, shutting the box again.
Damian opens it and grabs a strawberry-frosted donut. “Yeah, he mentioned that. They’re working on his apartment, so he needs to move temporarily.”
I stare at the box of donuts, but in my head, I’m thinking about the way Finn looked downstairs and the things Tate said. Now that I’m reviewing it, I realize he said a lot. Tate’s self-centered, so of course, he’d say Finn is only showing interest in me to get to him, so that doesn’t really bother me, but everything else … The joke is that Finn is a one-and-done kind of guy, but Tate’s right. He hasn’t actually fucked me yet. It makes me wonder how many women he’s done this with.How many has he acted jealous over until he gets them in his bed?Is that his thing? And why do I even care?
Damian gets my attention again and spends the next hour trying to talk me into going to the pool party. I refuse and encourage him to go ahead. Even if I wasn’t feeling down today, I would have passed up on it.
“We only have one week of freedom,” he says.
“I know, and my week is booked.”
“Would you want to go skating at the new arena?”
“Pass,” I say quickly. The last time I skated, I fell on my ass twice.
“Fine,” he grumbles. “Want to work out at our training facility?”
That makes me perk up. “ThatI’ll do.”
He pushes off the counter. “Tomorrow.”
I follow him to the door, and when he opens it, he nearly trips on something. He picks it up, and when he turns around, he has an arrangement of sunflowers in his hand. My heart starts pounding hard as he hands it to me. Even though I can barely wrap my head around it, deep down, I know who they’re from.
“Who are these from? Your mom?” he asks.
“Probably,” I say, gripping the vase a little tighter as I step back inside my apartment. “I’ll see you tomorrow! Have fun at the party!”
“You’re not going to read the note?”
“In private,” I say, and he rolls his eyes with a sigh, but walks away.
I lock the door and set the flowers on the counter, plucking the note.
These made me think of you. - F
My heart feels like it’s going to beat out of my chest as I set the note down and pick up my phone.
Me: idk how you managed to get these so quickly, or why, but they’re beautiful. Thank you. PS. this doesn’t excuse your tantrum.
I watch the little bubbles that say he’s typing back appear and disappear twice before his text finally comes through.
Finn: I know
That’s it. It’s all he says. I wait a little longer and when nothing else comes in, I put my phone down and take the flowers to my coffee table. Olivia texts to let me know she’s bringing pizza, so I start picking up the apartment, and it’s only then that something hits me … How does Finn know where I live?
23
FINN
