“Jen, what’s he doing here?” he asks in a bitter tone, almost spitting out his words.
She stands before him, placing her hands on his chest to calm him down. I guess now would be the best time to give him the reason. I’m not afraid of this jerk, never was. In fact, I despise him for obvious reasons.
“Finn, I wanted to speak to you.”
“I got nothing to say to you, Edwards. Charlie may have forgiven you, but I don’t forget so easily,” he shoots back.
“I’m not here to cause trouble, especially in front of your family.”
He asks Jen to take the kids to the backyard.
“You have some nerve showing up here. You think people won’t start talking shit again?”
“Finn, I don’t care what people think. I’m here because, for some reason, you mean something to Charlotte.”
“Damn right, I do! She’s my fucking best friend. What are you gonna do? Buy me off?”
>
Why didn’t I think of that idea? Except, now I’m that Lex and apparently, I am compassionate according to Charlotte.
“Yes, because that would make Charlotte happy.” My words are laced with sarcasm.
“Then tell me why you want to show your face in this town again?”
“I’m asking Charlotte to marry me… properly.”
Without warning, he throws a punch at me hitting me right in the jaw. Fuck! I’d been hit in the ring, but I’d expected those punches. I touched my jaw, the pain spiraling throughout me. I lift my hand to my chin, the slight tang of blood lingers. Fucking dickhead.
“Finn!” Jen enters the room, pushing him to the side, scolding him for punching me.
“I’m sorry. Lex… let me get you an ice pack.” She returns moments later, and I place the cool pack on my face.
It helps. God, I’m so ready to hit him back.
Why did I fucking let my guard down?
“What makes you think Charlie will say yes?” Finn’s nostrils flare, the adrenaline spiking as he tries to push Jen aside.
This time I’m ready.
“You’re her best friend, I’m sure you can answer that,” I shoot back.
Jen motions for me to sit, and I do on the large couch and begin to speak. I explain to them my intentions and the fact that I need their help to pull this off. Jen rushes to my side, hugging me, and I sit there feeling somewhat uncomfortable. Not knowing what to do, I hug her, this stranger I barely know.
“You broke her, you know… she was a damn mess,” Finn speaks quietly.
“I know,” I simply answer, always so acutely aware of my actions.
“I’ve wanted to do that since the moment you left town.”
“I know, I deserved it.” It’s the truth, even I have to admit that.
I look at my watch. My driver will be here in a minute. I hand the ice pack back to Jen, and she squeezes my hand and gives me a sincere smile.
“Listen, I need to go. It would mean a lot if you could do this for me, and in return, how about I forget the fact that you broke Charlotte as well… sexually. Truce?”
“I’d hardly call that a break… more like a slight tear.” Jen laughs.