“Please call me back…”
“I’m coming to you…”
When I listened to the last message, I turned off my phone and hid at Reese’s apartment until this morning. It was obvious Finn had been here because of the flowers leaning against the wall and the note that lays unopened on my table.
I force myself to focus and start over as the song starts again. After two more tries, I’m physically exhausted from the concentration of learning the beats and tempo.
When I open my eyes, I scream and drop my violin on the floor. Tripp, Declan, and Ember are standing in my living room, staring at me in wonder.
“What the hell?” I scream.
“Sorry, babe. You didn’t hear me knocking.” Tripp sits next to me and picks up my violin, placing it on the coffee table.
“So you let yourself in?” I wipe my damp cheeks and try to stop my lips from quivering.
“Come here.” He pulls me to his chest.
“What are you doing here?” My voice is muffled in his shirt.
“I knew it was bad, but had no idea it was ‘Better Man’ bad.”
“It’s a great song,” I defend.
“Presley, we don’t know each other well, but you do realize I’m a career musician, right?” Declan raises an eyebrow.
“Of course.”
“So you probably know that I’m familiar with actual music, including the great Pearl Jam. That song has several interpretations, including abuse, longing, and searching for love. Under no circumstances do any of those apply to you, and you don’t need to search for love because you’ve already found it.”
“We’re ending this shit,” Tripp announces.
I stiffen. “What shit?”
“You have to talk to him. He’s a fucking mess.”
“I’ll talk to him, but I need time.”
“No!” Ember interjects. “You don’t need time… time is evil. It causes uncertainty and makes people do crazy things. I know from experience.”
“No offense, Ember, but I’m unsure why you’re here at all. If I remember correctly, you had the opportunity to stick up for me. During Raven’s diabolical rampage, you were quiet as a mouse.”
“I regret that every day,” she replies sadly.
I look at Declan, who is eyeing me with sympathy. He runs a hand though his hair and bites on his lip ring nervously. “I’m here because I lived through what you think you know happened. Finn Black is one of the best men I know, and he’s hurting. My wife, who is my fucking life, messed up. She’s devastated, and I don’t do well with her hurting.”
“Guys, I appreciate your allegiance to Finn, but—” I sit up, disengaging from Tripp’s hold.
“There is no but in this scenario. Tell us what’s going on in your head so we can help work through it.” He looks at me with determination.
I think about blowing them off and throwing them out, but don’t have the energy. Dodging Finn and trying to heal the wound that Raven caused is exhausting.
“I don’t blame him for loving her. She’s beautiful and fun. But her words and insinuations cut deep, and I’m not sure I can be with him under her scrutiny. She’s one of his best friends. They have a long history.”
“It pains me to say this, but that woman in the camper Saturday morning was not the Raven we all know. She doesn’t have a malicious bone in her body. She wasn’t thinking clearly, and she’s jealous.”
“Jealous? What the hell about?”
“She’s jealous of you, Presley,” Ember says softly. “She’s always been the baby girl to the group. Her bond with Finn is incredibly close.”