Page 106 of When The Rain Falls

A whole new world of possibilities is open for me now. Forus. Because now, there’s no reason I can’t keep her. I had figured it was beyond the realm of possibilities to find someone again. I am now living beyond the realm of possibilities. And it’s fucking beautiful here.

I need to tell her all of this. But that’s a conversation for a different time. A more perfect time.

I help Aimee pull her shirt off. When it’s gone, I unfasten her bra and drink her in as I tug it hungrily from her body. I plant a kiss to each nipple as I ease Aimee onto her back. I’m hungrilyworking her jean zipper when a booming laugh erupts from the distance. Aimee sits bolt upright, her free breasts swaying deliciously with the movement. Both our brows furrow as the laugh reappears. It’s quickly followed by footsteps on the front porch. The door knob jiggles as someone works the key on the other side of the door.

Mom. She’s here for family dinner tonight. But she’s fucking early.

Goddammit.

"Tyler, you don't have to carry all the bags in on one trip," my mom says from somewhere near the end of the hallway.

MomandTyler. Fuck.

"I have a reputation to uphold," Tyler's muffled voice answers with a grunt. His voice deepens under straining. “All the women in town are fawning over my bag carrying skills. You haven't heard about that? I'm offended."

A cold sweat settles across my skin and I panic. I guide Aimee off the counter. She gathers her bra and her shirt to her chest as I scour the room for options. When I see the open accordion door of the pantry, I promptly usher her to it.

“Bear, what?” she protests as I push her into the dark space.

“Shhh,” I gesture for Aimee to keep it down. “Until I figure something out,” I whisper.

Aimee’s about to argue when my mom’s footsteps draw closer. Slivers of light from the slats in the door cut across Aimee’s body as I quickly shut the door on her. The last thing I see before Mom enters the kitchen is Aimee’s angry, red face being eaten by the door.

“Hey, Ma,” I spin and take a step back from the pantry as I run my hand through my hair.

My mom stops short of the clutter on my floor and looks up at me with her mouth open in shock. She has a hand pressed against her chest as if she’s just been scandalized. If she’sshocked by this, she isnotready to see a topless woman in my kitchen.

“Finn, dear,” she exclaims. “Why is your kitchen such a mess? Why is the mail on the floor? And why aren’t you wearing a shirt?”

“Oh, I was just…” But my voice dies away when I can’t think of an answer. Luckily, the phone buzzing in my pocket provides a distraction. “Hang on,” I say as I pull it out and see a text from Aimee.

Aimee

Bear! Why did you put me in the pantry?!

Finn

It’s where I keep my snacks.

Aimee

Kinda hate you right now.

Tyler appears over moms’ shoulder. His eyebrows crease in surprise. “Bro, you know there’s mail all over your floor, right? Are you feeling ok?” He leans forward to inspect my face. “You’re just standing right next to clutter and not even getting twitchy.”

“I don’t get twitchy,” I argue. “Leave me the fuck alone.” My phone buzzes again.

Aimee

Can I come out now?

Finn

No.

Aimee

Why not?

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