“Good kids,” he commends.
Tommie gives him a slap on the ass, as he walks by and we all walk to the parking lot. My eyes are focused down on the metal parts of my leg that are gleaming in the sun. It’s such an awkward sensation, but so liberating at the same time not to care anymore. The tiny voice that is constantly begging and encouraging me to be free is whispering, “You should be proud of that metal and everything you’ve become.”
A deep voice drags me from my thoughts. Looking up, I see Finn and Wes leaning up against their truck, which is also hooked up to a boat.
“Hey guys,” Will says, walking over and doing the man half shake half hug to both of them.
Tommie is standing directly behind me barricading me from turning and running. Damn her because that’s exactly what I want to do. Run and lock myself in the back of the truck.
“Scarlett invited me to go boating with y’all today,” Wes says.
“Yeah, no prob,” Will replies.
In slow motion, I watch Wes grab Scarlett’s hand and head for Will’s truck. I mentally note there is only room for two in the back seat due to all the shit Tommie packed.
“Whoa, whoa,” I finally holler, realizing exactly what’s going on.
“You can ride with Finn, Tess,” Tommie says, as the four motherfuckers basically jog and lock themselves in the truck.
The sheer horror plastering my face must be seriously obvious.
“Tess, I just want a day with you,” Finn finally says, stepping closer.
“Why,” I whisper.
“I’ve tried reaching out to you. I know you’ve read my texts and the note this morning. I’m not leaving you alone until you give me a chance.”
“How do you know I read your texts? Is my whole family in on this conspiracy?”
Finn laughs really hard before he has the chance to catch his breathe.
“No, Tess. You have the read receipts turned on on your iPhone.”
“Oh.”
Awkward silence fills the parking lot, which is now empty besides the two of us, and his truck and boat.
“Why not just walk away from me? It would be a lot less painful, I can assure you that.”
Finn takes another step closer and this time we are merely inches apart.
“I’m stubborn and know what I want. I want a chance with you. That’s all I’m asking. You’ve been on my mind since that first night together. I only taste you, smell you and feel every single part of you on me. I just want you.”
Finn grabs both of my hips, whirls me around and pins me up against his truck.
“But you never called or tried to get hold of me after that night. You just showed up with Kara.”
Finn lowers his forehe
ad to mine. “Listen, Tess.”
“Uh. That’s Tessa to you, Finn.”
“Listen, Tessa. I planned on finding you. I never put two and two together and my heart literally shattered when I walked into the vet clinic and spotted you. I knew how it looked and Kara. Fuck Kara! I’m not going to let her ruin this. I won’t.”
“Ruin what? We have nothing, but one night together.”
“Give me a week. Let me have you for a week, Tess, uh.”