Page 54 of Finn

Crap. I don’t really know how to cook. I mostly order in or boil pasta. But suddenly, the idea of cooking surrounded by all these women who I now consider my friends doesn’t sound like such a horrible idea.

“Actually, we’ll be cooking at Souls. Nora wants Vic involved, and well, she can’t leave,” Harper says, shrugging.

Thinking about going to Souls has me remember the text messages from Finn this morning. I feel myself blush and try to get control of myself before I open my mouth.

“Oh shit, where’s your mind at?” Gillian asks, laughing.

They all laugh, and I feel my face burning.

“Don’t get embarrassed. We all can’t wait to be fucking around with our guys,” Harper says.

I think back to when I first had lunch with these girls, and they were talking about sex, and I was jealous of the way they seemed to be able to read each other. Now, I’m included. They can read my thoughts too.

I smile as I lift my shoulder. “Do you think I have time to go home and change before going to Souls?”

Gillian tosses me a wink and nods. “Absolutely.”

We stay for a little while longer talking before we decide to call it a day. The three of them head right to Souls, but I drive home first. Finn said he wanted me in nothing but my boots, and since I know we’ll probably end up sleeping there, I plan on making that happen still.

I rush inside and grab my black and white sundress out of the closet. I slip into it and look at myself in the mirror. It’s tight on top, showing off just enough cleavage, and flows out at the bottom, giving it a flirty feel. The boots hit just below my knees, so I’m showing just enough skin on my legs to drive Finn crazy.

A warmth spreads over me as I look at myself. I’m excited about this family dinner. I’m a part of something now, and it feels incredible. Today has been pretty damn great, and I have a feeling tonight is going to make it even better.

I slip on a light jean jacket and grab my purse. I open the door and scream.

My stepdad is standing there with his arms folded, looking well and truly pissed.

“Dad?” I ask.

My heart is hammering in my chest as my stomach flips with nerves. He’s looking for my mom, and I’m gonna need to lie.

“Where is she?” he asks, looking past me.

I step into his view, and his cold eyes collide with mine. A chill runs through me, and for the first time in my life, I’m scared of him.

“She’s not here,” I say, trying to slip my hand into my purse to call for help.

I don’t care whose number I hit as long as someone answers and realizes I may be in trouble.

It doesn’t happen, though, because his eyes snap toward my hand, and he rips my purse away from me.

“Hey,” I yell.

He grabs my phone out of my purse and drops it onto the ground. As I go to grab it, he brings his heel down on it, shattering it in front of me. I snap my eyes to him, and he grins.

“Now I believe I have your attention. I’m only going to ask nicely one more time, Mia. Where is your mother?”

The hardness I see on his face is something I never noticed, but now that I look, I realize it’s always been there. He’s trying to intimidate me, and I’m not going to let it work. I’m not a little girl anymore, and he’s not even my fucking father.

“I told you, she isn’t here,” I say, crossing my arms.

“Wrong answer,” he says, grabbing me by the throat and slamming me against the door jam. The pain is overwhelming as my head hits the edge so hard I see stars.

“Dad, stop,” I cry, clawing at his hands still around my throat.

He pushes me back inside the house, and I try to keep my balance. His eyes are crazy as he slams me into the wall, causing my head to bounce off it once again. My legs are having a hard time keeping me standing, and as I start to sink down, he grabs me by the hair, pulling me straight up.

I’m screaming in pain as I try my hardest to fight him off. He’s strong. A lot stronger than I ever realized. He smacks me across the face, and tears roll down my cheeks.

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