Page 12 of Burn It Down
“Bullshit. See you later, Bro. Maybe I'll let you rip the knife out of my back then. Might need it to use on me again sometime.” Then with tears in my eyes, because apparently, I didn’t know how to stop them once I let them fall, I left.
Two hours later, I was sitting in O’Malley’s. Wasted just like Cage predicted. Two blondes were on either side of me, stroking my dick through my jeans as they made out. Before I could make a mistake and take them home, they were suddenly gone.
I blinked, eyes heavy from sadness and the vodka I had used to numb it. It hasn't worked. I knew better; vodka reminded me of my woman. I blinked up into the darkness, the air stinking of cigarettes and stale beer.Charli.Staring down at me and sobering me right the fuck up.
“Get up. Let’s go. Spread your legs for someone else, ladies. Stay away from him.” I almost laughed because Charli pissed was kind of sexy. I’d never dare tell Cage that.
“Charli Doll. Relax gorgeous. Simply enjoying the show; those bunnies know I am closed for business.”
I didn’t know if that was true the way they were stroking me seconds before. I had no plans to let them get their hands on my dick. Couldn't even consider letting another woman have what Gigi owned.
“I am certain ladies who frequent O’Malley’s don’t care if you are nursing a broken heart. They don’t want that appendage, Finn. They want the big one hanging between your legs.” I did laugh then, and she blushed a little when she realized what she had said.
“Big one, huh? My woman’s been talking about my dick? Cage would not be pleased, Charli Doll. Damn, now I want to know about your girl talk. Sit, stay awhile. Share.” Even wasted I got excited thinking about Gigi discussing our sex with Charli.
“Finn, the knowledge I could share with you might blow your fucking mind, handsome,” Suddenly I was super alert and I sat forward, watching her, “now get that mountain you call a body up. Let me get you sobered up so we can talk. The Coopers might let you soothe your heartbreak with whores and liquor; I won’t. Come on.”
I knew right then just why Cage was so crazy about her. The gentleness behind her gray eyes made me want to obey her. I felt tears stinging the corners of my eyes again. Damn, this heartbreak shit didn’t fuck around.
“Yes, Charli Doll.” I stood on unsteady feet and she draped my thick arm around her slender shoulders.
We didn’t speak as she navigated the tables and the booths, leading me out into the cold night. The crisp air stung my eyes, and I realized I had come wearing a jacket. I didn’t care. I didn’t want to go back in there. Maybe ever again. I watched her as she led me to her huge truck.
Charli was hot; I just wasn’t supposed to notice.
Cage saw her first, and I was crazy over Gigi, but if not...damn, I’d want to learn my way around those curves of hers. Tall and built, though a little shorter than my Gigi, she reminded me of a pin up model.
Thick thighs and a nice round ass, breasts that made those cardigans and button ups she wore look indecent. Yeah, she was hot. I felt guilty giving her the once over. Because hot or not, Charli was no Gigi.
“Stop. Heartache is making you look at me that way. Finn,” My eyes blinked in the darkness as she steadied me against her truck, “Tell me when you look at me, or those bitches, you want more? That you don’t see Gigi’s face and compare every other woman to her.” Damn, she was smart and I kind of hated that I was so transparent.
“I don’t see anything but Gigi anymore.” I growled as I tore open her door and started to climb in.
“Exactly what I wanted to hear, handsome.” Charli winked up at me, and I couldn’t help but smile.
We drove in silence, but it was peaceful. I didn’t think I’d have taken anyone home tonight, like I hadn’t since Gigi. Still, I was glad Charli showed up when she had. Those bunnies tonight were handsy as shit. I was too wasted to stop it.
I kept calling the one with hazel eyes Gigi, even though I hadn’t bothered getting their names. Why would I need them? Charli’s radio played broken hearted country, and I thought about her and Cage back home in her tiny town in Iowa. How they had mended what could have been ruined for good.
“I don’t know how to not want her, Charli Doll. Spent more of my life wanting Gigi Cooper than not. Fighting it because of Cage and Deacon. My own fucking shit, really. Tell me how to fix it.” My voice was tight with emotion, and her hand came out, taking mine. Her little hand was warm and soothing and soft.
“Hmm, I intend to, Finn. Man like you, needs a woman like Gigi. Too bad it took you so damn long to realize it, huh?” I gave her tiny hand a squeeze and nodded, swiping at my tears. They never fucking ended.
“Don’t I know it, Charli Doll. I always knew Gigi was amazing. Before I should have noticed her, I did. Then, I was too much of a coward to do things right. Does…does your man hate me right now?” I left in a shit way earlier, but I was worried about us for more than one bad night. Cage was all I had left right now.
“Of course not. Cage loves you like family, Finn. He’s worried about you. You know the Coopers are stubborn, though. Didn’t want me to come find you tonight; told me to let you stew. Just not how I do things.” Charli gave my hand her own little squeeze, and I let out a breath, relieved she seemed to think we’d get past this.
We pulled up in front of the condo and I didn’t want to get out. I was terrified of seeing Gigi. Of smelling her in the hallway or hearing her laughter.
Charli climbed out, and then my door was open and her gray eyes were watching me. Waiting. I sighed and scrubbed my hand over my face. Shit, I needed to shave. To shower. I felt like I couldn’t breathe lately, so those weren’t top priorities for me.
I climbed out and followed her up the stairs and let her into my place. I paused at the threshold, listening for signs of my woman.My woman.No matter what, that’s how I saw Gigi. Had for longer than I even realized. Charli let out a soft sigh and put a gentle hand on my shoulder.
“Gigi’s at my place right now, handsome. Come. Sit. We need to talk.”
Without hesitation, I sank into the leather recliner as she breezed past me into the kitchen. Moments later, I smelled coffee and knew Charli meant business. I liked her.
Charli was good for Cage; made him happier than I had ever seen him. I didn’t even know that kind of happy existed. Besides his parents, of course; I thought that shit was only in books.
