Page 2 of Exile and Embrace

The door slides open, and Officer Topp nods to the hall, remaining silent.

In the years that I’ve been here, he’s the only officer that doesn't look like he’s stepped in dog shit when he sees me.

The silence follows us all the way to the infirmary where the cleaning supplies and Ava are waiting.

If things were different, I might ask her to be my fake fiancée.

Though she doesn’t seem elated to see me, she still offers a polite smile as she braids her dark hair back from her face. “Hey, Finn. How’s your day going?”

She’s just as beautiful as she was when she was dating my brother all those years ago. More so now, that she has lost that teenage innocence and is all woman now. A woman that in a different universe, I wouldn’t mind getting to know better. Maybe even see if any of my impossible dreams had a chance to come true.

Too bad in this one, our paths outside these walls will never cross.

I pull the bottle of cleaner and a scrub brush out of the bucket, setting them on a small table just inside the infirmary door. “It’s alright. Getting a break from the cell at least.”

Officer Topp heads for the door. “I’m going on break. Officer Richards is in the hall. No funny business, Finnigan.”

“Yes, sir.” The scent of ammonia fills the room as I drag the bucket to the sink.

“You’re not going to be here much longer, are you?” Ava leans back in her chair, bouncing her leg. “Your release date’s coming up.”

“Thank fuck.”

I turn away, knowing that if I look at her too much longer, my heart will take off like a runaway train. There is no denying that Ava is beautiful, but she’s not the kind of woman who should hold my interest. She’s too good.

Exhibit A. Working in a prison with some people who could be considered the scum of the earth.

I’m definitely not dragging her into my shit.

“What are you going to do when you get out?”

As I lift the spraying hose from the sink and aim it at the bucket on the ground, I consider whether or not to tell her the truth. I doubt that she is really interested.

Fuck it. It might be nice to have someone interested in me for once.

“I’m going to Oregon.” As I glance over my shoulder at her, she smiles like she’s won the lottery.

“Will you take me with you?”

The bucket nearly overflows as I stand there, not knowing how to respond to her.

My first instinct is saying, “Hell, no. Are you crazy?”

My second instinct is screaming, “Hell, yes!” She would be the perfect fiancée. She already knows about the mob. I wouldn’t have to hide what I’m doing from her, and I’d be able to protect her.

She could be the answer to all my problems.

But this is Ava we’re talking about.

“No. You can’t come with me.” I’m not going to put you in danger.

“Please, Finn. I know we’re not friends, but we’re friendly. We could travel to Oregon together.”

“Not going to happen, Ava.”

As far as I’m concerned, this conversation is over.

Officer Carlson walks into the room, putting a more effective end to the conversation.

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