Page 10 of Finn Rhodes Forever

Emmett’s gaze flicked to me, considering my offer. “Finn has experience in the back country from firefighting.”

Emmett had a bottle of whiskey coming his way.

Chief Bell nodded once. “Rhodes would be an excellent chaperone.”

Liv choked. “Chaperone?”

“Buddy,” Emmett cut in quickly. “Not chaperone. Just consider it. You don’t have to make any decisions right now.”

Liv’s gaze came to mine. Cold, biting fury flashed across her face. A spike of panic and excitement shot through me.

Fucking hell, she was cute. Even when she was mad at me. Even when she hated me. She had this tiny nose and when she was super mad, it twitched, like she was trying not to scrunch it up.

Fucking adorable.

A memory flashed into my head of us as teenagers, riding our bikes through the forest. Her hair was her natural brunette back then, long and wavy, flying in the wind. When she turned back to look at me, laughing with bright eyes, my heart had leaped into my throat.

Fuck, I missed her. I had missed her every day for twelve years, but seeing her in front of me ratcheted that longing ache up tenfold.

I stared back at her, lifting one eyebrow, holding back the grin. The grin would piss her off and then she’d say no, but I really, really wanted her to say yes. Besides, she needed me. She just had to be the one to make the decision.

She turned back to Emmett, pointing at me. “You planned this. You both did.”

“I swear,” Emmett told her, “we didn’t.”

The entire room held their breaths. I could see her chest rising and falling as she considered her options.

“I believe you,” I told her in front of everyone. “I know it’s out there.”

She closed her eyes a moment, defeated, and my stomach dipped. “Fine,” she muttered.

“Great.” Emmett nodded to Miri, taking notes. “Let’s move on.”

Before she sat down, Liv shot me a look so pissed it could have melted the skin from my bones. Her look saidyou planned this. I rubbed a hand over my mouth, hiding my smile while my heart did somersaults in my chest.

After town hall was over, Holden pulled me aside.

“What’s up?” I asked him, watching over his shoulder as Liv slipped out. I had been hoping I could try to chat with her for a few minutes.

“I want to make sure you’re up for it, helping Olivia like this.”

Holden and Olivia were friends because he hung out at her bar a lot, and now he was married to her best friend.

“Of course I am.”

He studied me. “Alright. It’s important to her.”

Again, Jen’s words from years ago replayed in my head, and anxiety pinched between my ribs.

No one thought I was good enough for her. No one thought I’d follow through.

I got it. I did. I had a history of fucking up, running wild, and leaving. I loved an adrenaline rush. Trouble found me, and most of the time it was because I went looking for it.

I clapped a hand on Holden’s shoulder. “I’m not going to bail on her.”

Holden arched an eyebrow like he didn’t believe me. “Okay.”

Sadie appeared behind him, smiling at us. “Hey, Finn.”

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