Page 62 of Burn It Down
“I’ll fucking kill that dickhead.” Cage finally spoke in more than four letter words.
“Hmm, not if Finn does first, baby. Gigi, tell us everything. We need to know what we are facing here.” We. Charli was officially a Cooper, and we all knew it, even if the details were yet to be taken care of.
Details that I knew my sweet brother was working out. Cage had started setting things up for what I was sure was a proposal. Asking the entire family over for dinner in a few days, just before Thanksgiving. I was so busy with Finn, I hadn’t asked the questions I definitely wanted answers to.
For right now, his possible proposal was not my worry. It was bound to happen anyway, so the when and how didn’t matter at the moment. I smiled at Charli and then started talking.
I explained the day at the coffee shop, and the weeks leading up to it. How innocent it had been between Jordan and I. Then I told them about the night Finn took me to the park.
How the cops had been called, and I swore I saw Jordan’s mini cooper. I left out why the cops were called, but I think they figured it out. I even told Cage about how I thought I had spotted Jordan a few times since. The phone calls and texts.
“Gigi, why haven’t you told Finn this shit? You realize your man is going to lose his shit when he finds out, right? Not just because of what this prick is doing. Because you’re lying about it. It looks bad, Red.” I took a sip of the coffee, the hot liquid scalding my tongue.
“I didn’t think it was really him, Cage. I mean, the calls, yes. Finn and I have been so great lately, you know? I didn’t want to screw it up again. Why can’t we just happen? Why?” A new kind of panic overwhelmed me, but Charli was there.
“Sweetie, this won’t stop you guys. You just have to tell Finn the truth. He deserves it, and you know it. Can’t run from things forever.” I did not miss the look exchanged between Charli and Cage.
Instead of our girl day of lunch and pampering, I stayed curled up on their couch. Cage called half a dozen friends to get some information on Jordan Dexter. Then he made me call Finn. I didn’t want to disturb him, but they insisted he would want me to.
I just told him I needed him. It was all I needed to say. Faster than I thought possible, he was walking through the door. Didn’t even bother to knock.
“Sweetheart, what’s wrong? You sounded upset. Scared. Thought you and your girl were going to have a day out?” Finn dropped to his knees in front of me.
“We were. I was headed out to meet her. I, uh…I found a flower and a note at the condo. On the steps. It, uh…it was…what I mean is…”
“Pretty sure Jordan Dexter is stalking Gigi. Or both of you. Tell him everything, Gigi.” Cage ordered when I couldn’t find the words.
“What!? That pretty motherfucker! Tell me what, Gigi? What don’t I know?” I glanced over his shoulder and they both nodded, leaving us be.
“I told you that day at the coffee shop, he made me feel strange. I can’t explain it, but he seemed different. Agitated. Aggressive even. The night at the park, I think he saw us. I think he called the cops. I saw him on the street while you got us pizza. I mean, I didn’t know it was him, it was dark and snowing, but…I felt like it was,” I could feel the anger roiling off him so I hurried out with everything else.
“Jordan has called me pretty constantly. Texts too. That’s why I wanted my number changed. I mean, her too,” We never spoke her name now and I was glad for that, “I thought I saw him once or twice when we were out. I never was sure, Finn. I thought I was being paranoid. It didn’t make sense. We went out for a few lunches.” I grumbled in confusion before he shoved away from me, startling me.
“So, you’ve been lying to me? Keeping shit from me? You promised to tell me, Gigi. We don’t lie, baby. Thought we cleared that shit up?” Finn was angry at me, and it hurt more because he didn’t seem worried about Jordan.
“I didn’t mean to. I wasn’t even sure it was…” Finn laughed, and I hated how cold it sounded.
“You knew he wanted you. You knew he was texting you. You hid that shit from me. Why? Is there something more going on between you two?” I felt like I had been slapped; I wanted to be angry, but instead, I was crushed.
I crumpled into the corner of the couch. Burying my face in the plush arm, I sobbed. He didn’t believe me. After all the shit he had done to me, he thought I was lying. Doing it to get back at him, maybe.
It was not something I would ever consider doing. Finn should know me better than that. All the years of me wanting him, waiting, and feeling like I wasn’t good enough. When I finally had him, why would I throw it away?
Things had been so good the past few weeks. I didn’t want to ruin it with nonsense. I suppose, perhaps Finn and I would never be able to just be. To just happen, like I said.
We were always going to struggle, and maybe it was worth it. Maybe it wasn’t. Right now, I felt like it was, but clearly, he didn’t agree. Finn was storming around the living room, and I was a mess.
“I’ll fucking kill him. You’re mine, Gigi. Doesn’t matter if you want to be or not. I’m done being the good guy, hoping I’m good enough. I’m not. I know that. But…you’re mine.” My eyes flew to his when I realized his voice was tight.
Finn was crying. Back to me, facing the roaring fire, his shoulders were trembling and he was crying. I shoved to my feet and rushed to him. Rounding to his front, I all but climbed him like a tree.
My legs were around his hips, and my arms wound around his thick shoulders. Finn clutched me to him, and we both cried for a moment. I loved him. I think now I knew, without a doubt marching its way through my head or heart, that he loved me too.
“Iam yours, Finn. I think I always was. Before either of us knew what it meant. Nothing besides how fucking happy I am right now, with you, kept me from telling you. I thought he’d go away. I don’t want him. I never really did. I don’t want anyone else, Finn. Just you.”
“I’m so sorry I wasn’t there. I’m sure you were scared. I won’t let that pretty motherfucker near you. This is my fucking fault. I should have just been a man and said you were mine, even if you didn’t want me. I pushed you to try shit with this fucker. I’m so sorry, Sweet Girl. So fucking sorry. I won’t let anyone hurt you.” Finn set me on my feet, my body sliding down his, staring at me seriously.
I nodded and burrowed my face into his chest. I realized he smelled like fire and was covered in soot. Must have rushed here after a call. Damn, I loved him.
