Page 2 of Only Ever Yours
I’m beginning to think I am…
Instantly, Finn wrestled his way between us, shoving me backwards. I stumbled on the sand and landed unceremoniously on my arse, watching the scene unfold in front of me.
“Jase is right,” Finn hissed. “Don’t think I haven’t seen what’s been going on between the two of you all week.”
“I didn’t mean for it to happen. She was the one flirting with me the whole time.”
“That makes it all right, does it? You could have said something sooner instead of leading her on and encouraging her.” Finn jabbed a finger into Neil’s chest.
“Guys, do you reckon we could do this back at the house? It’s freezing out here, and Kirsty is getting cold.” Chris had his arms wrapped around Hollis’s friend.
“Do what you want; this doesn’t have anything to do with you unless you know where Hollis has run off to.” Finn barely took his gaze away from Neil.
The two of them picked up their stuff and disappeared. Barney and Liam also looked like they would rather be anywhere else, but loyalty to Finn probably made them stay. I got to my feet in case Finn needed backup because this whole situation had the potential to turn nasty.
“What are you going to do, Finn? Make sure Hollisstays single for the rest of her life?” Neil pushed Finn’s hand away, but the two of them were still nose-to-nose.
“If it means keeping her away from pricks like you, then yes.” He shoved Neil in the chest, but Neil retaliated by attempting to throw a swift uppercut to Finn’s jaw.
Stunned, Finn staggered backwards, pausing for a moment as if to figure out his next move. That turned out to be wrestling Neil to the floor and aiming punches at his head. Without another thought, Barney and I jumped towards the pair, dragging them off each other. There was no need for it to end this way, no matter how angry Finn felt.
“You’re crazy.” Neil spat blood onto the sand.
“What? You’re not for leading on my sister? Pretending to be interested in her, only to humiliate her in front of her friends.”
I pulled Finn away from him before any more blood got spilt.
“Let it go, Finn. He’s not worth it.” I muttered although I wasn’t sure whether I was trying to convince my friend or myself. I still wasn’t comfortable with what had happened either.
Neil wrestled himself out of Barney’s grip and swiped his belongings from the wet sand. “Forget it, I’m leaving.” He turned his back and began walking in the same direction Chris and Kirsty had gone in.
“Good. You can find your own way home.” Finn called after him. “Go on, fuck off.” He dropped his head, studying the sand for a moment before he jerked his chin up.
I could sense the rage simmering from Finn as he pointed first to me, then Barney, then Liam.
“Any of you go anywhere near my sister, lay afinger on her, or mess with her head, you’re dead to me. Forever. Got it?”
We all nodded vigorously, not daring to speak.
“Now go and find her before it really gets dark.”
The four of us dispersed, each heading in a different direction.
Finn’s words swirled around my head as I headed towards the house. Of course, I’d noticed something going on between Hollis and Neil but hadn’t said anything to Finn. If I’d have mentioned it sooner, he could have had a word, nipped it in the bud, and we wouldn’t be here now. But I’d only noticed it because I’d been battling with my own developing feelings for Hollis. Finn had made it abundantly clear that nothing could ever happen between us unless I wanted to end our friendship. I had to push any thoughts like that out of my mind.
When I got back to the house, I headed to the back door to let myself in with the key that was usually hidden in a plant pot by it. As I stepped onto the decking, a noise stopped me in my tracks. Glancing to one side, I saw Hollis hunched up in a ball, her shoulders heaving as she tried to choke back her sobs.
I rushed over to her, at the same time glad to have found her but also concerned at her fragile state. “You’re drenched.”
She raised her head, her big eyes damp with tears. “I couldn’t find the spare key.”
Fumbling in the pot beneath the leaves of the overgrown plant, at first, I couldn’t find it either. Then I lifted the pot to see it nestling underneath. “I bet Liam thought that was a better place to hide it.”
Hollis shivered. “He’s never been good at thinking.”
“Let’s get you inside. You must be freezing.” I took inher jean shorts, bikini top, and thin cotton top that had turned see-through, giving me the opportunity to fix on her nipples. Screwing up my eyes for a moment, I tried to rid my mind of the image and concentrated on getting us both inside in the warmth instead. I wrestled with the lock, but finally, the patio door slid open. I ushered Hollis inside, and she darted towards the downstairs bedroom she and Kirsty were sharing, slamming the door behind her.
Pulling my phone from my pocket, I fired off a message.
