Page 67 of The Sea Witch's Son

“No.” I shake my head, “I’m sorry, but I... I don’t know what I want right now.”

Finley stares at me for a long time. I turn and look back at the water, wishing I couldn’t feel his disappointment.

“Is it Marlin?”

There’s an edge to his voice.

“It’s everything.” I hold back a sigh, “There’s so much going on right now. I feel like I’m sprinting on a treadmill, desperately trying not to fly off the end.”

“But there is something between you and Seaborn.”

Annoyance pricks at my skin, “Why are you so concerned with Marlin? I thought you were over what happened at time trials.”

Finley clenches his jaw, “I don’t care about swim results, Melody. I care about you.”

“But you don’tknowme.” The anger leaks into my voice, “Besides the handful of conversations we’ve had, you know nothing about my life.”

“I know that if Seaborn gets inside your head-

“This isn’t about Marlin! This is about your ego being too bruised to take no for an answer.” My cheeks burn with frustration, “This was a mistake. I never should have come.”

Pushing off the rock, I start walking home. Curses flare up behind me, the hasty sound of footsteps following suit.

“Melody, wait! I didn’t mean it.”

I keep walking, ignoring the pleas.

“Look, I messed up. There’s something about him that grates me, and the thought of you with him-

“Finley, stop.” I turn abruptly, almost causing him to stumble into me, “You have no right to force unwanted opinions on me and I despise you for it.”

He looks at me with wide eyes, “I’m just looking out for you.”

“No. You are looking out for yourself and making assumptions along the way.” I take a second to breathe, “Clearly, this was never going to work, not even as friends.”

“There are rumours about you too, you know.”

“What?”

Finley shakes his head, “The girl running from her violent past. People are saying your father beat your mother until the day she died.”

He looks at me with something close to pity and I hate him for it.

“I don’t want you to go through that again. I want you to find a decent guy.”

“And you’re the decent guy in this scenario?” Disbelief clouds my tone, “You’re the knight in shining armour riding in to save me?”

“If you let me, I could be.”

I stare at him, seeing the sincerity reflected in his eyes. He truly believes I am some damsel in distress just waiting for a hero to carry her away.

He thinks I’m weak. Useless.

“My mother died from cancer. And my father didn’t lay a hand on her after he died of a heart attacksix years ago.” I let out a bitter laugh, “Do you know what kind of guy I deserve, Finley? I deserve someone who sees me as an equal. Not a child who needs rescuing.”

“Melody-

“No.” I’m spitting mad now, and the rain starting to fall is only making the situation worse, “You’ve disrespected me enough today. I’m going home.”

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