Page 43 of Ignite

After I clean up the blood and throw some clothes into an overnight bag, I grab Bertie and leave.

I shoot a quick text to Lily:

Me

Crashing at yours tonight. Don’t ask. I’m okay. I’ll explain when I get there.

Part of me wants to call Conan. He’d show up. No hesitation.

He’d make me feel safe. But I don’t make the call.

I’m not his burden.

Chapter 15

CONAN

“You look like shit, Con,” Finn says.

I toss my phone on the counter and stifle a yawn, slumping onto the barstool while he messes with the coffee machine.

“Nice to see you too, brother. And why the hell are you in my cabin?”

He pours the coffee into a chipped mug and turns to face me.

“Did you sleep? You’ve got your big fight coming up.”

I roll my eyes and grab the mug.

“I’m well aware. I don’t need babysitting.”

He chuckles, pulling a packet of cigarettes from his back pocket.

“No. But you’re my little brother, and I know this week’s always rough. Normally I hear the axe throwing before dawn. Today? Silence. Figured I’d check in.”

I sigh and light a smoke. Axe throwing does sound fun, actually.

“Why doesn’t it get easier, Finn?”

I rub the pressure building in my chest.

“Because we loved Mom to fucking death, that’s why. You probably more than all of us. It’ll always hurt. You just… learn to live around it.”

I nod, my throat thick.

She’d know what to do about Hallie. She’d see right through me, too. I drove to her house last night. I wanted to just see her. But she wasn’t in.

Finn’s stare sharpens.

“Why did you turn up at my hospital last night?”

“I—uh…”

Shit. Nothing good’s coming to mind fast enough.

“Well?”

“I was looking for Hallie. My wound hurts.”

---