Page 24 of Win You Over
Angry Kitty:I have a shift at the grocery store until 2. I’ll come by after.
Me:I’ll pick you up. That’s really boyfriendly of me.
Angry Kitty:You know we only have to fake this when your family is around.
Me:I’m getting into character. If it makes you feel better, I will loudly announce to them that I’m picking you up.
Smiling, I watch the screen as my message is delivered and typing bubbles pop up. For someone who supposedly doesn’t like me, he replies pretty quickly. I bet that’s because I’m growing on him. Makes sense, like I keep saying, who doesn’t love me?
Angry Kitty:That does not make me feel better. But fine, fetch me at 2:15.
He gives me the name of the grocery store he works at, and I set an alarm on my phone then throw it on my bed and make my way down to the basement to deal with the mess.
I’m sitting at the kitchen island, eating a sandwich with Mom, when Finn walks in, having entered the house using the key he’s had since we were fifteen. He looks rough. His usually styled hair is hanging over his eyes, which are bloodshot and lined with heavy bags.
He pulls out a stool and slides in next to me before reaching over and taking the other half of my sandwich from my plate.
“Hey Mrs L. You’re looking lovely today,” he compliments my mom, then takes a bite, chewing loudly.
“Finn. Always nice to see you.” My mom’s reply is kind but curt. She welcomed Finn into our family years ago and has never outwardly said anything bad about him, despite her dislike of his family.When she first married my father, they were among the friends of my grandmother’s who never accepted her.
Finn turns his stool so his leg brushes against mine. Swallowing the last of the sandwich, he asks. “D’you want to go swimming after lunch? Maybe hit the gym?” Beneath the island, out of my mother’s view, his hand finds my inner thigh, and he inches it higher while waiting for my reply.
I bat his hand away then scoot myself backwards.
“I can’t today, sorry dude. I’m picking up Holden from work, and then we need to finish our project.”
Emotions ranging from disbelief to anger, to disappointment flash across Finn’s face, but it’s Mom who speaks first.
“Is Holden staying for dinner?” She slides down from her stool, straightens her skirt and rounds the island, taking both our dirty plates to the sink.
“You’re spending a shit load of time with that loser,” Finn mumbles, quiet enough for only me to hear. I ignore him for now in order to answer Mom.
“I’ll ask him. Can you make your mac and cheese if he does?”
Mom smiles, then opens the cupboard and rustles through some containers. “Can do. Let me know soon, okay?”
“Yep,” I say, standing and making my way out of the kitchen, Finn hot on my heels.
Up in my room, Finn stands at the door, his arms crossed over his chest, muscles bulging beneath his black henley.
“The fuck is going on between you and Booker?” he asks.
Pulling him further into the room, I close the door to give us privacy.
“I may have told my family we’re dating.”
“You did what?” Finn’s arms fall to his sides and I don’t miss the way one clenches into a fist so tight the skin goes white. “Why the ever loving fuck would you say that?” He takes a step closer and I straighten my shoulders, widening my stance. Finn is roughly the same size as me, but he wears his aggression like a weapon which can make him seem so much bigger. Though he’s never been aggressive towards me, knowing I would never stand for it, I can tell that right now he’s pissed.
“It kind of slipped out when they were asking me about a wedding date. I need you to play along, okay? Until after Nadine’s wedding.”
He moves closer, his jaw working back and forth, a vein throbbing on the side of his neck.
“Why don’t you just tell them the truth?” He tips his head, a snarl twisting his lips. “Or are you actually screwing him? Maybe that’s why he’s always here. He’s a whore for your dick.”
“Finn,” I say in warning. He advances closer and in an attempt to placate him, I let him crowd me against my bedroom wall. “I’m not fucking him. We’re pretending because I’m too muchof a chicken shit to admit to Nadine that I lied. You know she’ll never let it go.”
One of Finn’s hands presses against my chest, while the other reaches for the waistband of my shorts. He leans to the side, bringing his lips to my ear.
