Page 79 of Burn It Down
Then I stared at the phone like it might burn me. I spun it to face me with my thumb and forefinger. Squinting as I scrolled through the photos, I realized Mags was right.
Finn was wearing a CFD tee shirt and jeans. Expensive sneakers. Not heavy motorcycle boots, his cold season staple. That CFD shirt.
After we first got together, I stole one of his shirts. It hung low and the sleeves reached my forearms. It was deep blue with the station badge on the back. Finn had a lot like it, but this one was different.
The anniversary of the station was stamped on one arm. The guys all got one. Just one. I wore Finn’s to bed last night. At my place, where it was now folded neatly on my pillow.
Folding my legs against my chest, I swiped through the photos. Pinching them to zoom closer. There were six photos. Three of them, Finn did not have his tattoo.
The other three, that tattoo looked fresher. Didn’t blend with the skull tattoo at the back of his hand quite right. Doctored. They were all doctored.
What was not doctored was the fact that Bree had her tongue in my man’s mouth. Nor was the photo where his huge hands grabbed her tits, his head bent so he could kiss them as they spilled from her sweater.
If I had any contents of my stomach, I might get sick again. The betrayal these photos meant left me feeling wretched.
“Finn fucked Bree. Then lied to me about it.” I didn’t know if I was angry about that; I think I might have preferred to be ignorant.
“Oh, sweetie. You don’t know that. The photos are clearly staged. That last one, look at that harlot smiling right at whoever took those photos. Bree kept these photos for ammo. Doesn’t mean they did the deed.” Mags could be right, but I felt it somewhere in my gut that she wasn’t.
“I don’t want to know the truth. I don’t.” I mumbled.
After that special, and I hoped final, night at the pub, I thought I knew it all. I knew he kept two women as regulars before me. I knew there were double digits of one timers. Knew that he shared women with Hunter and even Diggs.
I didn’t want to know about Bree. Not just because it would mean he was lying. It was for selfish reasons. I had adored Bree at one point. I can vaguely remember it.
I thought she was so sophisticated and daring. Soon, I learned her sophistication was paid for and the daring streak was actually recklessness.
“Maybe you don’t need to. We don’t need all the parts to make something work. Got a watch from my dad before he passed. Treasured that little pocket watch. Fancy, pretty little thing. One day, a gear quit working on it. I was devastated. The watch maker removed the gear and it worked like a champ; told me the gear didn’t affect the movement of the watch. Bree’s moment with Finn, whatever it was, doesn’t need to affect the movement of you two.”
Huh. That was brilliant.
“Maggie Dorchester, you’re pretty fucking brilliant. I think I might love you. I don’t need to know. Finn doesn’t have to have all my parts either. If I didn’t love him so much, I might have truly tried Jordan Dexter out.” Mags shot me a look as I wiggled my brows and we both laughed.
I leapt to my feet, reaching my arms out to tug Maggie up beside me. I towered over her so the hug I locked her in got a little awkward. Her curls just reached my bosom. We laughed it off as we broke up to head out for the night.
My nerves were frazzled, and I wanted to see Finn. With the bombardment of letters, calls and basic creepiness, I agreed to be babysat by whoever was available.
Tonight, it was Cage. Finn was working, and Charli was dealing with wedding stuff. Outside in Charli’s truck, Cage greeted me with a yank on my braid and a smirk. I handed over the latest rose and note.
Diggs was keeping them for the investigation, which was going nowhere. I don’t know why; we knew it was one of two people. The photos in my phone confirmed for me which one. Photos I didn’t intend to tell Cage and certainly not Finn about. No need.
I didn’t need the pieces of what might have happened to know they didn’t matter. I loved Finn. I’d wanted him almost my whole life. I knew what it was like to lose him. I wouldn’t do it again. I didn’t think I could.
“Again? Damnit, Red,” Cage growled as he glared at the Ziploc holding the crushed flower and letter, “I don’t get who could be doing this. Or why, at least.” Shrugging, I shoved my feet onto the edge of the seat, warming my hands on the heater.
“Why did Ariel try to start things up with you again? Text you dirty shit? The younger Cooper kids just got that magic shit, I guess? Once people get a taste, they go bonkers. Fatal attraction bonkers. Be glad Mr. Belvedere didn’t end up soup.” I scrunched my nose up and he let out a yelp.
“Too far, Red. Took it too far. I’d kill a bitch for Mr. Belvedere.” Cage said it so seriously I kind of didn’t doubt it. Loved that cat of his.
“Am I allowed to go home, or….” I don’t know why I asked.
“Um, no. Even if Finn didn’t have us keeping you on a short leash, I wouldn’t let you go home alone.” I rolled my eyes but, bit back a smile.
“Not cramping the love nest yet? I imagine I cost you some booty, dear brother.” Cage shot me a look.
“Not an issue. My girl sees to it I am taken care of. Not that I want to discuss my sex life with you. Nor do I need to hear how fucking awesome of a sex life Finn is having with my baby sister. Maybe rein it in a little, yeah?” I giggled and twisted to watch him.
“No way. I am making up for lost time. I figure I was legal four years ago. Wanted Finn way before it was legal. I’m averaging it out. Besides, Charli talks…” I left that in the air between us as he rolled to a stop at a light.
