Page 85 of Making Home with You
I glance at Beck who subtly shakes his head as if to say he hasn’t said anything to Ryan.I knew he wouldn’t, not just because he’s my brother and he knows I would hate anything about this situation to get out, but also because he of all people knows what it’s like to be the talk of the town.
And while Ryan is both a friend and a business partner, the brother of my girlfriend, for god’s sake, it doesn’t mean I need him to know about the amateur porn movie starring Sarah and me that’s floating around
But at the same time, he’s an ex-cop and a part of my life now and as much as I hate the idea of people knowing about this, especially when I haven’t even told Sarah about it, I know I can trust him.
“I need your word this stays between us?”say, staring at Ryan.
“Of course,” he says immediately, nodding.
Taking a deep breath, I fill Ryan in on everything that’s happened.The story about Carla and me back in high school, the following, the accosting Sarah at my house, the video and now the break-in.
At the end of it, I feel mentally and physically exhausted.
“Jesus Christ, Finn,” he breathes out.“Fuck man, I am so sorry you’re going through this,” he adds.
I nod.“I can handle the shit she’s doing to me,” I tell him.“But Sarah is off limits.She crossed a line when she brought her into all of this.”
Ryan nods, his jaw tight.“What can we do to help?”
I shake my head, lifting the shot to my mouth and swallowing it.“There’s nothing any of us can do,” I say, my voice flat.“We just have to wait until she fucks up and gives us something to nail her with.”
“Where’s Sarah now?”Beck asks.
I glance at my watch, see it’s late, past the time Sarah has been getting in at.“Fuck,” I half-shout, as I push my stool back.
“Finn?”
I shake my head as I turn and run for the door.“I need to get home.”
Chapter Twenty-Five
Sarah
I’m at the office waiting for Joe when my phone rings.It’s well past the time that I’d normally be catching the train back to Rockport, and should be texting Finn to let him know, but I need to catch up with Joe.
After our phone call yesterday, I know have a much better picture of what the deal is with Andrew and Eliza Anderson.We kept the conversation brief because of Finn’s presence.
I couldn’t bring myself to tell him what I’d learned, knowing full well not only would he lose his shit and forbid me from going back to work, but he’d also blow the whole thing up by getting Ryan involved.He would then call Joe and anyone else he knows at the Boston PD and get far more involved than necessary.
The unfortunate issue is that Eliza accepted a settlement, something that was out of the hands of the law, and she then had the charges against Andrew dropped.It now means that Joe can’t possibly pursue Andrew on anything involving her or their case.
That case is dead.
But what we can do is set him up.
Joe is meeting me to help formulate a plan, but also to help me figure out how to approach our HR department about it all.I have no other support and given what I’ve learned in the few short months I’ve worked here, people don’t report Andrew McGuire and if they do, they aren’t employed for much longer.
Oddly, I’d like to hold on to my job, if only so I am able to gain some experience and secure myself a different position.But I also understand that reporting Andrew may lead to me having a target on my back, that it may bring an onslaught of judgment from others.
Isn’t that the girl who claimed Andrew McGuire harassed her?
Yep, I’ll be that girl, but I’m trying to convince myself I don’t give a shit as long as someone else doesn’t have to endure what I have.I imagine what I’ve been through is nothing in comparison to Eliza Anderson.
I sit at my desk waiting, and listening to the sound through the wall.Andrew’s office has been silent for quite some time now and I can only assume he’s left for the day.The thought bringing a sigh of relief to my ridiculously tense body.
After this is all over I’m going to need a massage
My phone chimes out with a text from Joe telling me he’s in the office lobby and I head down to meet him.As I pass Andrew’s office I notice the lights are off and he’s definitely gone for the day.
