Page 17 of Finn

I stop pacing, putting my hands on my hips. “Why is Porter a bad man? What did he do that made you feel you needed to run? Did you have a relationship with him? Did you love him?”

“Mia,” my mom says, reaching for me.

I step back, shaking my head. “No! I don’t want a fucking hug.”

“Watch it,” my dad hisses.

I ignore him and focus on my mom. “Did you have a relationship with Porter?”

“Yes,” she whispers.

“How long were you together?” I ask.

“Vic, don’t,” my dad whispers, turning my mom’s face to his. “Don’t.”

I watch this playing out in front of me, and I suddenly realize that all the times I thought my dad was being loving and sweet, he was being controlling and manipulative. My stomach tightens in knots, seeing what a lie my life has been, and I’m starting to wonder who the bad guy really is. Porter or my father?

“Let her talk,” I shout.

“Mia, you’ve had a stressful couple of days. Why don’t you go lay down and rest?” my dad says, grinning.

Fuck this. “Okay, Jim. How about you answer my questions since you seem to be the one in control here.”

“Don’t call me that,” he growls, locking his angry eyes on mine.

I shrug and cross my arms. “Did you force my mother away from my real father?”

“Excuse me?” he shouts.

“Mia,” my mom yells.

I look at both of them, and tears fill my eyes. The loving, doting parents I thought they were was a lie. They have secrets and lies that they don’t seem to want to share. My father has a hardness to him that I’ve never experienced, and my mother looks beaten down. Did they always, and I just never noticed? Was I so caught up in the idea of happily ever after that I didn’t see the truth?

“Are you going to answer any of my questions?” I ask, looking between them both.

“I told you all you need to know,” my father says.

I shake my head, walking out of the kitchen. “You told me shit.”

They are both yelling as I slam the front door behind me.

If I want answers. Real answers. I’m gonna need to ask someone who knows the truth.

I’m gonna need to ask Porter.

I shake my head, clearing it of the thoughts of the other day. Grabbing my phone off the dresser, I pull up Finn’s name, and my stomach flips. I’m excited and nervous about this move, but I’m done hiding from finding my happiness. Finn makes me feel things I’ve never felt before. He doesn’t hide who he is. I don’t know a lot, but I know enough.

I can trust him, and that’s something I’ve never had with a guy before.

Me:I’m leaving in ten minutes.

I see the dots moving, and I can’t help the smile that spreads across my face.

Finn:Drive safely. Call when you get into town, and I’ll meet you at the house.

Finn’s house is not what I’m accustomed to. It’s small, old, and dingy. I’m used to my huge brand-new apartment. The open floor plan and huge windows with a view of the ocean. The hardwood floors, bright white walls, and new furniture. Even before I moved in here, I lived with my parents, and that house is enormous. All updated, bright, and cheery. A big pool in the yard and a cleaning lady to make sure it always looked perfect.

Finn’s place is the exact opposite of all of that, and maybe that’s exactly what I need.

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