Page 56 of Only Ever Yours
Finn all but dragged me out of the bar into the foyer where there were fewer people around. If I hadn’t been so tense about what was going to go down, I’d probably have made some comment about how he was using his gym well. Given his current mood, I didn’t want to risk getting punched. He released my arm and squared up to me.
“You and Hollis.” He shook his head, eyes dark. “You and Hollis,” he repeated.
“Yeah, I think Felicity made that pretty clear for everyone.”
He snorted. “I think you and my sister should have made it clear to me before I found out from Felicity.”
“I agree, we should have. There never seemed to be a right time.”
Finn shook his head. “Sure. I mean, it’s not as if we live in the same house, have dinner together most nights, hang out. You know, spend a shit ton of time together.” He scrubbed a hand down his face. “Remember Neil Bradley?”
Of course, I did. I gave a cursory nod.
“Why do you think you’re anydifferent?”
Great question. Did I think Finn would react differently because I’m his best friend? That he wouldn’t mind that I went against his wishes?
“We’re not twenty-one any longer. Things have changed. We’ve changed.”
Finn ran a hand through his hair. “But you’ve still gone against me and started something with my sister. When your love life consists of hook-ups with Felicity or strings of short-term relationships that always come to nothing, why would I want her to be with someone like that?”
I hefted out a breath. “Do you know the reason why I can’t be with anyone else?”
He shrugged like he wasn’t going to believe my answer whatever I said.
“Because no one measures up to Hollis. Never has done, never will.” The words were out of my mouth before I could think; all I knew, deep down, was that they were true. I’d never wanted anyone else except for her. “I fucking love your sister, Finn. This isn’t a fling for me,” I reiterated.
For a long while Finn stayed silent, processing what I’d just told him. I had no idea what would come next.
Wanting to break the awkwardness, I carried on. “There is absolutely no chance I would screw around with anyone else. Your sister is it for me. And if I’m totally honest, I think she always was.”
“I always wondered why you had girlfriends who never lasted longer than a few weeks or maybe a month or two before you ditched them.” Finn rubbed his chin with his hand. “Why didn’t you tell me yourself?”
I spread my palms wide. “Erm, did you see how you reacted in there?”
Finn let out a snort, then shook his head. “You and Hollis.” He paused. “Honestly, Jase, I don’t know how I feelabout it. I never expected the two of you to get together. How long? No.” He held up a hand. “On second thought, I don’t think I want to hear about it now. I need some time to process it.” His gaze drifted towards the room where the reception was still in full swing, then back to me. “I’m going to get some air.”
I nodded. “I get it. See you later.”
Finn jerked his chin in my direction as a response and stalked off outside.
I headed back into the reception hall and instantly sought out Hollis, who still stood with Ella at the bar. She looked pale and chewed on the skin around her thumbnail. Making a beeline for her, I pulled her close to me and placed a kiss on the top of her head.
“Look, no black eyes or bruises,” I murmured into her hair.
She wriggled out of my grasp and turned to me. “Where’s Finn?”
“Gone to get some air. He needed some time to think about everything.”
“Hey, you drop a bombshell like that right out of left field and expect him to be totallyfinewith it straight away?” Ella shook her head. “I’ll go and find him.”
“Let us know when you do?” Hollis asked.
“Of course.”
Ella grabbed her bag and disappeared, leaving Hollis and me standing there, neither of us quite knowing what to do.
The master of ceremonies cut into our conversation, breaking the tension. “Ladies and gentlemen, the bride and groom are about to take to the floor for their first dance.”
