Fractured Minds (Rebels of Sandland 3)

I was always nervous. That was nothing new for me.

He led me into their living room, where Effy’s mum was sat on the sofa reading her kindle. She looked up when she saw me and grinned, putting her kindle down to give me her full attention.

“Finn! Sit down.” She patted the seat next to her. Jesus, I was going to need that drink after all. “Where are you off to tonight?”

I got tongue-tied answering, telling her I was taking Effy to the cinema and maybe for something to eat afterwards. Luna, the dog, must’ve smelt my fear because she came bounding in, tried to jump up on my lap, and then after a bit of fuss she settled for lying right over my feet, like she was guarding me. I reached down to give her head a scratch and then told Effy’s mum that I’d have Effy home before her curfew. I didn’t want them getting their pitchforks out for me quite yet.

“She doesn’t have a curfew,” her dad, Steve, announced as he came back into the room holding a bottle of beer out for me. “She’s almost nineteen years old. We’re just relieved she tells us where she’s going and who with. We’re her parents not her keepers.”

I didn’t know what to say to that. Parents, keepers, it was all the same thing in my book. Not that mine had ever been either for Alice or me. Promises, memories, trust, they didn’t keep any of it.

I must’ve been silent and staring at the floor for too long because Steve sighed and sat down next to me, and Jen, Effy’s mum, put her hand over mine and patted it before sitting back onto the sofa to let her husband do the talking.

“Finn, we like you, we trust you and you make Effy happy. That’s all we care about. When you come into our home we want you to feel welcome. There’s no hidden agenda here. I’m not about to go all psycho, over-protective father on you. Don’t get me wrong, if you hurt her, I will hunt you down. But I don’t think you’re that kind of boy, are you? Not from what I’ve seen and heard. I… we… think you’re one of the good guys, and we’re very good judges of character.”

“Yes, we are,” Jen piped up.

I took a swig of my beer and then placed it down on the coffee table in front of me, making sure I used a coaster.

“I wouldn’t ever hurt her,” I said, honestly. “I love her.”

“We know,” Jen replied. “A blind man can see how much you two love each other. We think it’s sweet.”

“I’m guessing you haven’t heard a lot of positive things about yourself over the years,” Steve continued. “But we brought our daughter up right. Being with her should give you all the confidence you need. Be proud of yourself. I know she’s proud of you.”

Right on cue, Effy walked into the room, looking like every dream I’d ever wished for. She was wearing a burgundy floaty dress that skimmed her ass, and boots that went right up to her thighs. My mouth was literally hanging open when I said, “You look stunning.” Then I turned to Steve to see if he was going to tear me a new one and send her back upstairs to get changed.

“You do,” was how he responded, and I felt stunned into silence. I couldn’t believe there were parents out there like this. I mean, Ryan’s dad, Sean, he was the best, but if Ryan had a sister, you can bet your ass she wouldn’t get that reaction.

Effy’s parents were actually cool. They liked me, and they loved their daughter unconditionally. My shoulders eased up slightly, and I had to admit, I was beginning to feel comfortable sitting here. Maybe family wasn’t so bad after all?

“Thanks.” She smiled and then pointed right at me. “Sitting on the sofa in-between my parents and drinking beer? Where’s Finn and what have you done to him?”

I chuckled and threw back the last of the beer before I stood up.

“It’s called family bonding.” Steve smirked. “You kids have a good time now. We won’t wait up.”

I let Effy choose the film we watched. I say watched, but I spent most of it cuddling up to her, kissing her, and watching her face as she laughed at the screen. I found her far more entertaining than the movie, I could watch her all day. When she rested her head on my shoulder halfway through, I pulled her into me and enjoyed the feeling of being at peace.

When the movie credits started to roll, we followed the rest of the people out into the foyer. Effy needed to use the ladies, so I took the opportunity to head to the men’s room. That was my first mistake of the night.

I pushed the doors open and strolled in, surprised to find it empty, but when the doors behind me banged against the wall and I turned around to see why, I instantly regretted my decision to come in here. Adam Noble, Colton King and Devon Brady stood in front of the exit, blocking any possible escape I could make. The Soldiers of Anarchy were channelling their horsemen of the apocalypse vibe. I was glad there was only three of them and not four, not that either odds were in my favour, but I figured the others were keeping watch over Tony.

“What do you want?” I hissed, keeping my voice level and my stance strong. As Brandon had taught me all those years ago, you can never show weakness. These vultures would smell it a mile off.

Adam smirked, putting the hood from his black jacket down. Even without their masks, bandanas, or balaclavas, they all still looked like evil motherfuckers. But tonight they’d attempted to blend in with the standard teenage crowd. It wasn’t working. They still looked like three psychos on a day trip from the detention centre.

“Having a nice night?” he asked me, knowing he was being ironic but enjoying fucking with me all the same.

“I was until you showed up. Isn’t your online bullying enough? Gotta taunt me out here too?”

“I’d be careful how you speak to us, Knowles. You’re not in a position of power, and you’d do well to remember that.” His grin turned to a scowl and he looked at me like he was trying to burn holes through my soul.

“Story of my life.” I shrugged like it meant nothing. “Do you actually think I give a fuck anymore?”

At that moment, the door behind them swung open and some guy strolled in. Adam glanced over his shoulder and using his cold, psycho persona he said, “We’re closed. Fuck off.”

The guy’s eyes grew wide when he saw what was going on and he spun round and left as quickly as he’d entered. From the recognition behind his stare, I guessed he wasn’t off to get help. Typical coward.