Page 41 of The Better Choice

She shook her head as if to clear him from her brain. “So?” she said angrily. “Speak.”

He sighed, remaining seated on the edge of his bed. He didn’t look even a bit surprised to see her standing in his doorway. “I should’ve told you,” he admitted.

“Well, that’s the understatement of the year. I was staying with a criminal, Finn. Is that who that man was? One of your criminal buddies? Did you really put me in danger?”

He stood up, half of his face hidden in the shadows cast by the moonlight. “Now, hang on just a second. You can be mad at me all you want. I wish that I’d told you, I do. But the minute I had even a hint that being with me might put you in any danger, I left. I told you I wasn’t a safe choice. I told you I didn’t belong in your life. So, you can be mad at me for not telling you the truth about my past, but you don’t get to blame me for not considering your safety. That’sallI’ve thought about. And I’ve made sure that you’re safe. I’ve taken care of you. I gave you an apartment. I protected you.”

“Is that what this is about? Because you gave me your apartment, now I owe you?”

He scowled. “When the hell did I say anything about you owing me anything, Blythe? I did what I did because I wanted to. Not for any other reason. I honestly had no intention of ever seeing you again. And, really, can you blame me for not telling you about my history? It’s not exactly how I like to lead into conversations.”

“You still should’ve told me.”

“It’s not just a box you check on a fucking job application, Blythe. Don’t you understand that? This thing follows me everywhere I go. If I had to introduce myself by telling everyone I meet what I’ve done…no one would want anything to do with me. You included.”

“What did you do, Finn? What were you in prison for?”

He closed his eyes, standing up from the bed finally. “If I tell you the truth…you’ll never look at me the same.”

“It can’t be any worse than what I’m already imagining.”

“Yes. I promise you it can.”

“What did you do, Finn? You promised you’d tell me if I came in here. I’m here. So talk.”

“I’m not a bad person.”

“What did you do?” she repeated through gritted teeth. When he didn’t respond, she reached for the door. “This was a waste of ti—”

“Murder.” He spit the word out, reaching for her arm. “I went to jail for murder.”

Her blood ran cold, and she turned around. Whatever she was imagining, he was right, this was worse. “W-what?”

“I’m so sorry I didn’t tell you. It was ten years ago. I was a kid. A stupid kid who made a stupid mistake. It’s taken everything from me, but I don’t want it to take you, too.”

“Finn…” she whispered, backing away from him. “How…how could you?” As he reached for her, she couldn’t help seeing bloodstains on his hands, searching his eyes for the heartless killer that must be lying just below the surface.

“You don’t understand. It’s complicated. So much about my life has changed from who I was back then. I’m not who I was.”

“You killed someone.”

He pressed his lips together. “I’m still the same person you met on your first day in New York.”

“No,” she repeated, her voice filled with sudden fury. “No, you aren’t. As far as I’m concerned, I wish we’d never met.” She grabbed hold of the door handle, pulling it open. His hand met the wood, slamming it shut, his eyes burning into hers.

“You don’t mean that,” he challenged her.

“You don’t know what I mean.”

“I know you have feelings for me, Blythe. I know you wanted me before you knew the truth. I was an idiot for running away. I should’ve told you everything, should’ve fought for a real chance with you.” He took a gentle hold of her arm.

“I’m with Asher,” she said firmly. “You lost whatever chance you may have had. I don’t want you anymore, Finn. I love him.”

Her words stung him, she could see it in his eyes. He released her arm instantly. “Okay,” he said finally, his jaw hanging open. “Just…if you change your mind, if you want to know more—”

“I won’t,” she told him, pulling the door open with force though he’d already released it, and rushed down the hall. Her heart was pounding as she closed her bedroom door, resting her back against it and letting out a heavy breath.

Chapter Twenty-One

---