I Never Let You Go (I Never 3)

I spin her in my arms just as she is wiping under her eyes with her sleeve.

“What’s wrong?” She avoids eye contact, so I ask again, “Lauren, what’s wrong?”

Her voice is soft. “It’s nothing. It’s stupid.”

I cradle her head in my hands, forcing her to look up at me. “It’s not stupid; it’s not nothing if it upset you. You know you can talk to me, right?”

She nods, not breaking eye contact this time. I could easily kiss her right now, but that’s not what she needs.

She settles against my chest, wrapping her arms around my waist. Not caring that we’re in the middle of her brother’s yard, I hold her in my arms. For just those few moments, we’re back to being Lo and Finn, and I relish in the feeling of having her in my arms, her head rising along with my steady breath.

I whisper in her hair before letting her out of my hold. “I’m not going anywhere, Lauren. You can always talk to me.”

“I know. I just wish it was that simple” is her only response before she slips out of my arms and walks to her car.

I watch her drive off, giving her a small wave before I turn around and head back into Kyler’s. I’m not sure what just happened here, but whatever it was, I look at it as a step in the right direction.

When I make it back to the front door, I notice Kyler standing in his doorway. “I was beginning to think you weren’t going to come back in.”

“Thought about it,” I chuckle. I follow Ky back into his house. “Where’s Dani?” I stay in the living room as he heads into another room.

Kyler walks back into the room with a bottle in hand. “She was tired, so she went off to bed.”

“Well, I won’t keep you from the missus too long.” I wink, and he laughs. I accept the bottle from him and turn toward the front door.

“Hey, Finn,” Ky calls out.

“Yeah?” I spin around to face him.

“Just remember what I said about Lauren, okay?”

“Got it.” Trust me. I won’t forget anything when it comes to Lauren Lawson. “Thanks for the rum,” I say, holding the bottle up. “Tell Dani I said sorry for barging in. Have a good night, Kyler.”

I close the door behind me and head back home.

Most of the lights are off when I return home, so I gently close the front door. I set the bottle of rum on the table with my keys.

“How was your night?” I jump back, nearly knocking over the lamp.

“Fuck, Kels, what the hell are you doing sitting in the dark?” I clutch to my chest as my eyes adjust to the darkness.

“Shh! I just got Liam back to sleep.” It’s then I notice the adorable bundle lying on her chest. She adjusts my nephew as I walk farther into the living room, taking a seat on the couch next to her.

“So, how was your hot date with Kyler?”

“Ha. Ha. It was good.” I decide not to bring up what happened back at his house—that would just open an entirely new can of worms with Kels right now. “He sure has grown up. We had a nice time reliving old memories like, you know, when you and him made out in the Lawson treehouse?”

“What!” she whisper-yells, as Kelsey calls it. It’s her version of being angry but in a soft tone as not to wake the baby. “That little shit. We promised never to speak of that ever again. And I wouldn’t even call it a make-out session. Seriously? That’s what he said?”

I cover my mouth with my palm to cover up my laughter. “No, I’m just kidding. Kyler said it was a quick peck. Still can’t believe you never told methat Kyler Lawson was your first kiss.”

She shrugs playfully. “Oh, whatever. You were a little busy back then. Plus, it was nothing.” I guess I was a little more preoccupied back then. My life was all football and Lauren. And now it’s just…well, I’m not sure what it is now.

Liam stirs and begins to make the softest whimper. My sister throws her head against the back of the couch, groaning.

I stand, moving in front of Kelsey and taking Liam from her arms.

Her head shoots up in surprise. “What are you doing?”