Page 15 of Finding Home with You

Growing up, I had no idea my family was different. It wasn’t until I was in high school that people started to make comments on my last name, whisper about me as I walked down the halls, and eventually any friendships I had slowly died.

I always just assumed my father’s job made it difficult for people to understand our lifestyle; growing up wealthy will do that, and after a while, I just ended up latching on to the kids of the people who worked for my father. They understood; they would ultimately work for my father one day and I would marry one of them. It was what was expected, it was what was known, but I had no idea how truly awful this life I was born into was.

It’s why I left, and it’s why I’ve had no contact with anyone from my past. It’s why I keep it all a well-guarded secret.

I pull away from Ryan slightly and smile at him, but it’s forced and the look on his face tells me he doesn’t buy it. He opens his mouth to say something, yet as he does, Finn walks in and heads right for us.

“Hey, Finn,” I call, giving him a smile and as he approaches I feel the knot in my stomach loosen as I let out a sigh of relief.

“How’s it going, Erin?” he asks, leaning in to kiss my cheek and I catch a glimpse of Ryan out of the corner of my eye and have to suppress the laugh that wants to escape. He’s fuming and I can see his cheeks flush red as he takes a step closer to both of us.

“All good here. You?”

“Just trying to avoid the crowd by showing up late, you know.”

I let out a small chuckle knowing Finn is avoiding all the single women in Rockport. He’s like Rockport’s most eligible bachelor and he absolutely hates it. It’s not hard to see why though. Finn is absolutely stunning, especially in that uniform. He’s all hard muscle, chiseled face with the perfect amount of stubble, and he’s ridiculously tall. He just looks like he would be amazing in the sack.

“You need to find yourself a nice townie girl and settle down,” I say sarcastically, patting him on the chest.

“I’m doing just fine, Erin,” he quips back, his tone playful.

“With what? Sleeping with tourists?”

“Yep, then I don’t ever have to see them again.” He winks at me and I laugh a little, shaking my head. “Well, I gotta go find the birthday boy. Have a great night.”

“Later, Finn,” I respond, but when I turn back to Ryan I can’t help but laugh out loud. He looks completely ridiculous with his hands on his hips and his eyes wide.

“Have a great night. How’s it going, Erin?” Ryan mocks Finn’s words back to me, his tone condescending.

“Seriously?” is the only the thing I can say in response, my tone annoyed almost immediately. “You’re such a child, Ryan.” I roll my eyes and start to walk away from him, but he grabs my wrist, pulling me back.

“What the fuck is going on with you and him?” Ryan demands, gesturing toward Finn as he makes his way across the bar.

“Ryan, come on. You can’t be serious.” I’m now fully pissed off. At first it was comical, but now it’s just ridiculous.

“I’m dead fucking serious, Erin,” he growls and suddenly I hate this possessive side of him. It reminds me of my father and my ex all rolled into one and I want to punch him in the throat.

“Listen,” I hiss through clenched teeth, “You’re going to embarrass yourself.”

“Embarrass myself?” he retorts, pompously. “You’re the one throwing yourself at Finn in front of me.”

This time I do laugh out loud and tug my wrist out of his grasp. Storming away from him, I head for the exit. I will not allow Ryan to ruin Beck’s birthday with a bullshit argument in a room full of people.

I shove my hands into the door, flinging it open where the cold air hits my face and for a second it calms me. But that ends immediately when I hear Ryan yell my name and suddenly he’s standing right in front of me.

“Erin,” he growls. “Don’t you fucking walk away from me.”

Again I’m laughing, but this time it’s to keep me from losing my shit and screaming full force at him.

“You don’t own me, Ryan Summers!” I scream in his face, my finger poking him in the chest. “You don’t get to control me. I won’t go through that again and if you think it’s going to happen, you can get fucked.” After I’ve said my piece, I head for the car, but I can hear the gravel crunching under Ryan’s feet as he follows me and yells my name again.

“Erin! Stop!”

“No!” I yell over my shoulder, opening the car door, ready to leave. I thought Ryan was different, better than this, but obviously I was wrong.

Ryan reaches me before I can close the car door, jamming his body between the door, so I can’t close it. He squats down, his face level with mine and runs his hand through his hair. I can see the guilt on his face, and feel the exhale of his warm breath on my cheek as he leans in closer.

“I’m sorry, Erin,” he says quietly, his fingertips running down my cheek. “I’ve just…” He trails off and I turn to face him, my feet planted on the ground, my legs outside of the car now.

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