Page 26 of Study You

“Here you go.” Finn cut the engine and held onto the steering wheel. She seemed almost uncomfortable all of a sudden. “Sorry it took longer to get back. I didn’t realise there would be roadworks down the A road.”

“That’s okay.” Gillian looked in Finn’s direction. “Thank you again for taking me out tonight. I had a lovely time.”

“You’re welcome.” Finn focused on the street through the window, nodding slowly. “I’ll see you Wednesday for the lecture.”

“Finn, is everything okay?” Gillian chanced a hand towards Finn’s thigh, looking around before she made contact with that strong, delectable muscle. “If something is on your mind, I’d prefer it if you spoke to me about it.”

Finn rested a hand over Gillian’s. “Nothing. I’m good. Get inside where it’s warm.”

Gillian checked the clock on Finn’s dashboard. “Did you want to come in?”

“No, I shouldn’t. You have things to do.”

Ah. That’s what the silence was about. Finn was sulking because Gillian couldn’t see her through the week. “Really? You’re going to throw that back at me?”

“Excuse me?” Finn did face Gillian this time, turning in her seat. “Throw what back at you?”

“The fact that I have a career that comes first? You’re sulking because I can’t see you through the week. Jesus, Finn.” Gillian threw up her hands. “I know when we’re together it’s really fucking hot, but I do have a life I have to deal with, too.” She scoffed, shaking her head. “Maybe this was a mistake. I can’t handle all of this if you’re going to start to want more. I’m sorry.”

“Right.” Finn fired up the engine. “Well, then. I guess that’s that. You’re entirely wrong, but I’m not doing this with you if you’re going to speak to me like that. What you think you know and what is actually true are very different.”

Gillian frowned when Finn turned away. She’d heard the break in her voice, and she could see Finn repeatedly swallowing. “Hey, Finn. Come on, I don’t want to fight with you.”

“And that’s why I’m not doing this,” Finn whispered. “Please, go inside so I can go home.”

“O-okay.” Gillian didn’t want to leave things like this. Finn had been perfect and exactly what she needed, so to leave everything this way…it didn’t feel right. “If you want to talk, you let me know.” Gillian waited for a response, but nothing came. “Goodnight, Finn.”

“Yeah. Night.”

Gillian left Finn’s car and crossed the street. She turned back to see Finn wiping tears from her cheeks, and then Finn drove away…leaving Gillian with a pain deep in the pit of her stomach.

Chapter 10

“Hi, Mum. Everything okay?” Finn strolled down the corridor towards the lecture hall, slowing her pace when she saw Gillian walking towards her from the other end. They hadn’t spoken since Monday night, but Finn wasn’t sure she had anything to say. The not knowing when it came to getting things right and wrong had her head up her arse.

“Yes, love. Sue is here. She brought an afternoon tea for us.”

“Oh, that’s lovely. I bet it was a nice surprise, too.”

“It was,” Carol said, the rustle of paper heard in the background. “Are you going to your lecture now?”

“I am, yeah. I’m going to head to the library when it’s finished, and then I’ll be home.”

“Okay. No rush. Take your time.”

Finn smiled. “Bye, Mum.” As she shoved her phone into the side of her messenger bag, she remembered that she had to tell Gillian she wouldn’t be at Friday’s lecture. She had those hospital appointments with her mum to take care of.

She looked up, watching Gillian’s flash of dark hair as she went inside the lecture hall, followed by several other students, and then puffed out her cheeks. No time like the present. Deena waved at Finn as she followed everyone else inside, pointing towards the seat beside her.

Finn waved back in acknowledgment, then approached Gillian. “Hey, Gillian.”

“Not now, Finn,” She said through gritted teeth, her back to the students taking their seats. “Sit down. I’d like to begin.”

“I…uh.” Finn frowned, holding onto the strap of her bag. “I just wondered if I could have a word.”

Gillian turned, a smile plastered on her mouth. “I said not now. Take your seat, and let me do my job.”

Wow. Okay. This new attitude of Gillian’s wasn’t what Finn was fond of. Not at all.

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