by Lindsey Gray
“Aiden, man! How’s it going.”
“Good. Hey, I didn’t interrupt anything?”
“No.” Finn let out a soft laugh. “We just finished.” He didn’t feel at all shy discussing those sort of things with Aiden. He had listened to every single one of his stories since Aiden lost his virginity when he was fifteen. “What’s up?”
“Just wanted to let you know what’s going on here.”
“Everything okay? You getting hassled?”
“No, it’s pretty much the opposite. Everyone is treating me like I’m the greatest thing since sliced bread. That I’m such a great guy for being such a great friend to you. They all really hate Veronica now.”
“People giving her a hard time then?”
“Yep. She’s thinking of transferring. One of her roommates said she would rather sleep in a dumpster than in the same room as her. Guess she’s been sleeping in the common room on the couch.”
Finn shook his head at the thought of how much Veronica was suffering. It was horrible, of course, but he couldn’t help but think she might have brought it on all by herself.
“Priceless. You think she’ll leave?”
“No. She’s too stubborn for that. Plus, it’s nice to see how jealous she is.”
“Jealous?” Finn thought Aiden moved fast. Not even back at school a week and he already has a girl on the line.
“Yeah and you won’t even believe who it is?”
“She’s got to be beautiful, that’s a given. Your standard long-legged blonde probably.” Finn had to think of all the blondes at Two Roads, who hadn’t he dated or slept with. “Amber? No, you dated her for like a week. God…I don’t know.”
“Bryn.”
“What? Bryn.” Bryn was like the sweetest girl ever. She was little and cute, like someone you wanted to pick up and put in your pocket. Finn and Bryn had so much fun competing against each other, but no one ever seemed to think of her as more than a little sister.
“She came to my room the night I moved in. She offered to be a shoulder if I needed one. You remember how sweet she is. The girl would throw herself in front of a bus to stop it just so it wouldn’t splash you. Anyway, she was in my first class Wednesday morning. We started talking again, and I can’t stop thinking about her. The sound of her laugh. The way her eyes crinkle when she smiles. I never thought about that stuff with any girl before.”
“You’re growing up, my brother.”
“You think?” They both laughed. “Maybe you and Lucy have rubbed off on me. I think I might be able to have something really special with Bryn.”
“I’m happy for you, man. I’m glad things are going well.” Finn turned to see Lucy was fast asleep at his side. He was eternally grateful. He loved the woman, but he was starting to think she’d never get tired.
“Okay, I’ll let you get back to what you were doing.”
“It’s okay, Aiden. Lucy’s asleep now.” He lightly stroked her hair.
“Wore her out, huh?”
“I think we wore each other out.” He nodded in agreement with himself.
“Okay, well…I was thinking if things keep going the way they are, maybe you and Lucy could make it out for a visit before Christmas.”
Finn felt the air leave his lungs, but not flow back in. He wasn’t sure he could handle going there and seeing the faces of all those people, knowing what they thought of him when he left.
He let out a long breath before speaking again. “We’re taking things one day at a time. We’ll see.”
“Okay, sounds fair. I’ll let you go. Give Lucy a hug for me.”
“Sure and you keep me up-to-date on the Bryn situation.”
“I will. Later.”
“Later.”
Finn set his phone back down on the nightstand and cuddled next to the breath taking beauty lying beside him.
“Sweet dreams, Mrs. O’Malley.” He kissed her forehead before tucking his arm under his pillow and letting the exhaustion take hold.
The events of the day before left their bodies exhausted into next afternoon. As soon as Rylan heard the slightest creak of their floorboards, she was pulling Lucy out to get ready for the last party of the summer.
“It’s just a party.” Finn yawned after going into the kitchen and getting a much needed cup of coffee from Jack.
“To us… maybe. I don’t know, with all of us being out of circulation for awhile, I’m sure we will be the focus of the party.”
“Then I guess tonight’s the night we let everyone know you’re married.”
“Only if you intend on keeping that on.”
Jack pointed to Finn’s left hand and the ring Lucy had placed there. “I don’t think I’ll ever take it off. I want to make sure everyone knows I have the most amazing wife.”
“Especially Walters?”
“Yeah.” He rolled his eyes while taking another sip. Finn couldn’t wait to see the look on Dave Walters’ face when he found out.
“How you going to do it? I’m sure we could get someone to write it in the sky if you want.”
“Don’t think so.” Finn laughed.
“Too much? Yeah, I thought so.”
“I think we’ll just wait and see if anyone notices.”
“Notices what?”
Finn sighed at the sight of his wife. She looked striking in her favorite pair of jeans and the navy short-sleeved tee. Finn loved that shirt.
“Notice…um…our rings.” He could barely get the words out as she ran her fingertips up his torso before clasping her fingers at the back of his neck.
“If that’s what you want, it’s fine with me. But I don’t think I can let you out of the house looking like you do.”
He realized he was only wearing the flannel pants he had slipped on when Rylan came into their room.
“Not enough?”
“No.” She shook her head before giving him a soft kiss. “I laid something out for you on the bed. It’s only a suggestion.”
“It’s started already.” Jack slapped Finn on the back. “First, it’s the clothes. Then, it’s your hair. Next thing you know, you’ll be holding her purse while she buys another dress you know she doesn’t need.”
“He’s not you, Jack.”
Finn couldn’t help but laugh and almost fall over in the process. His face was beat red as he sat down at the kitchen table.
Lucy pulled him back up, kissing at his neck before reaching his ear.
“I have a feeling you’ll like it, but if you don’t want to wear it— “
Finn cut her off with a quick kiss. “I’m sure I’ll love it.”
“Then get going. I won’t cover for you if you’re not ready by the time Rylan comes down.”
She smacked his behind as he made his way out of the kitchen and back up to their room.
Jack and Lucy traded insults for about twenty minutes before Finn came back down. Her jaw practically dropped to the floor when he walked in.
“Do I pass the first husband test?” He held his hands up as he did a little turn for her.
Lucy got up from the table to take him all in. He had on his best pair of dark blue jeans with a black button down shirt.
“I might,”—she played with the buttons on his shirt before turning her attention to those piercing blue eyes—”just have to take you back upstairs and take it all off you.”
He pulled her in and kissed along her neck before she felt Rylan tugging at her back.
“You have the rest of your lives for that stuff. I told Dave we’d be there in twenty minutes so we better get going.” She shoved their jackets at them.
Lucy pulled hers on. “I’m glad you’re so concerned about both of us.”
“We appreciate all the trouble you’ve gone through. I’m sure we’ll have fun.” Finn smiled before pulling Rylan into a hug.
“You better, or else.”
They all squeezed into their new SUV. For some reason, Finn handed over the keys to Jack before cuddling with Lucy in the backs
eat. She so loved the newlywed stage.
They found a parking space on the crowded street. Lucy noticed a few familiar faces wandering out front. Lucy waved to them as they started to come over. She had one foot out the door when she felt Finn pulling her back in.
“What’s wrong?”
Finn was breathing deeply. Lucy could tell his nerves were getting the best of him. He just needed a moment to relax.
“You can do this. I’ll be with you the whole time.” She rubbed circles on his hand with her thumb.
He dropped his chin down to his chest as he shook his head. “I have no idea what they’re thinking about me. I hardly know these people anymore, and I wasn’t the most social guy when I came back from Two Roads. What am I supposed to say?”
“We’ve talked about this with Dr. Styles. But if you’re not ready, we can go home.” She brought her index finger to his chin and lifted it up so his eyes met hers. “It’s you and me, remember?”
She tried to smile that reassuring smile she seemed to have. After a moment, he smiled back.
He brought her hand to his lips. “We can face the lions together?”
“Together.” Lucy gave him a soft kiss before coaxing him out of the car, shutting the door behind them.
They made it to the party as it kicked into full swing. Everyone seemed understanding. Some were shocked by the whole marriage thing but congratulated them anyway. Most people told them how they missed them and were praying for them the whole time they were gone.
About an hour in, Finn was completely calm. Lucy was so glad that he was coming out of his shell so to speak. They’d been so wrapped up in each other almost every minute since he returned home in January that they really hadn’t had much time to be teenagers. Lucy thought it was nice to see him so at ease in a crowd of people.
After making the rounds, there was still one person Lucy needed to talk to. Dave.
She walked through the crowd as Finn was occupied with some new video game system that had been set up in the living room. He and Jack were practically glued to it. She spotted Dave.
“Hey, Dave.”
“Hey, Luce. Glad to see you made it.” He took a sip of what she assumed was beer by the smell and his proximity to the keg.
“I really didn’t get to tell you the last time I saw you how much I missed you.” He brushed his fingers up and down her arm. “Things just aren’t not the same without you.”
Lucy pulled her arm back a bit, his face flashed with rejection. She felt bad, but she didn’t feel that way about Dave anymore.
“Well, it’s nice to know I was missed. Maybe we will be at NYU next semester. Next fall for sure.”
“That’s great, Luce. I can’t say I’m happy you’re not going to be there this semester, but if you are happy, then I can try.” He pulled her in for a hug as his beer sloshed in his plastic cup.
She felt his free hand press at the small of her back while he buried his head in the crook of her neck. She just patted him on the back and waited for him to let go.
When he pulled back, he looked like he almost had tears in his eyes. “Lucy, I—”
Dave’s hand was replaced with another. “I see you’re catching up with my wife, Dave.”
Dave did double-take as he looked between Lucy and Finn. Finn wrapped his arms around her waist as he set his chin on her shoulder.
“Wife.” Dave nodded as he shut his eyes. “Right.” Dave looked to see the ring on her finger before finding the one on Finn’s. “Just don’t fuck it up, O’Malley. Because I’ll be waiting here if you do.”
Dave hit Finn on the shoulder before stumbling past him back over to the keg.
“That wasn’t very nice, you know.”
Finn held on to her tighter. “I just want to make sure that he knows that you are all mine, Mrs. O’Malley.” He gave her a peck on the neck before spinning her around to face him. “You about ready to go?”
“I guess so. I’ll see if Rylan’s ready. “
“Okay. I’ll find Jack.” He pecked her lips before they went their separate ways.
Lucy wandered out to the back porch and felt a slight chill as the wind picked up. No sign of Rylan, but she took the moment to lose herself in the silence. Blissful chaos filled Lucy’s life, but she still enjoyed those moments when she could just sit back and take in the quiet.
Lucy stepped off the back porch before she saw someone sitting at the foot of a nearby tree. She let out a startled gasp.
“Sorry, I didn’t mean to frighten you.” He stood up and walked toward her.
“It’s alright. I didn’t see you is all. What are you doing sitting out here by yourself?”
“Just clearing my head. It’s been a pretty interesting night for me.” Lucy soon recognized the man standing before her. Rylan had described him perfectly earlier that evening. Tall and lean with black hair and piercing hazel eyes. “Sorry, I’m Rod Jensen.” He extended his hand to Lucy.
She took his hand. “Lucy But—I mean O’Malley.” It was the first time she had called herself an O’Malley in public. She blushed and let out a soft laugh as he released her hand.
“Lucy. What a beautiful name. Is it a family name?”
“Yes. After my great grandmother.” She nodded.
“I haven’t seen you around, but I feel like I’ve seen you before.”
“I already went to high school here, but I’m taking some time off before going to NYU.”
“Oh, a college girl.” He stepped in a little closer than she would have liked. “What are you doing hanging out with a bunch of drunks like us? Shouldn’t you be backpacking through Europe or some shit like that?”
“Dave’s a friend, and he asked me to come.”
“I’m glad he did.” He grabbed her right hand. “You want to get out of here?”
Before she could even comprehend what he was doing, he was pulling her toward the driveway on the side of the house.
“Rod. No, I can’t.” She tried pulling her hand from his grasp, but he held on too tight.
“Oh, come on. Your friends will understand.”
“Yeah, my friends, but my husband won’t.”
That stopped him. He turned back to her. “Husband?” He released her hand before sweeping his through his hair. “That’s one I haven’t heard before.”
“He’s just inside. I’m sure he’s looking for me by now.” The adrenaline running through her veins put her on edge. She was making a mental checklist of all the defense moves she could use to counter any move he would make.
“Come on, Lucy. I promise to give you a night you’ll never forget.”
He grabbed a hold of her and tried to kiss her. Her knee came up, hitting him in the groin, hard, causing him to double over in pain.
She stumbled back. “What part of ‘I have a husband’ did you not understand?”
“Bitch!” he spat as he lunged for her.
That’s when the heel of her hand thrust upward, breaking his nose.
“Fuck!” He fell to the ground as Lucy heard people rushing to where she was in the driveway.
She jumped as Finn came to her side.
“Everything alright?”
She smiled as she saw Rod rolling on the ground. “I guess now I know I can take care of myself.”
“Remind me not to get on your bad side.” Finn pulled her into his arms. “Can someone get him some ice? I think my wife broke his nose.”
Rod looked up as he saw Finn with his arms around Lucy. “Good luck with that one. She’s just a cocktease.”
Finn started to lunge for Rod, but Lucy caught him.
“He’s not worth it. He’s just mad because he got his ass handed to him by a girl.”
Finn’s tension subsided a bit. “Fine, but if I see him so much as look your way, I get a free shot.”
“I promise. Let’s go home.”
Dave rushed passed them with a bag full of ice as Finn held Lucy close, walking to their car.
“Are you sure you’re ok
ay, Luce? It doesn’t look good.”
Finn was doing his best impression of his father. He was examining the palm of Lucy’s hand that had hit Rod’s face. Truth be told, she did hurt like hell.
“It hurts, but I think it’s fine,” she lied. She thought that with the amount of pain, it was probably broken in ten places. The one time she has the guts to defend herself, she breaks another bone.
He brought her palm to his lips. “Just the same, I think we should have Dad look at it when we get home.”
“We’re almost there. Luce, I can’t tell you how proud I am of you.” Jack looked at Lucy from the driver’s seat.
“Just keep your eyes on the road, genius.” Rylan grabbed his jaw and swung it back toward the road ahead of them. “You did good, Lucy. I would have kept kicking him after he was down. That’s just me though.” She let out a soft laugh at the thought. Not that Lucy hadn’t thought about giving him another swift kick, but she didn’t want to push it.
A few minutes later, they pulled up to the house. Rylan went to get Murphy while the rest of them settled down in the living room.
Murphy came in half asleep, shaking his head. He took Lucy’s hand in his and looked at it through hooded eyes. “I need to take you to the emergency room. I hate to tell you, but I think it’s broken.”
“Figures,” Lucy sighed as Finn pulled her in.
“I’m sure it looks worse than it really is. Just think of it as a war wound.” Finn brushed the hair from her eyes.
“Let me get dressed. Give me five minutes and I’ll meet you at the car. As for the rest of you, it’s late so get up to bed.”
“Dad, I’m going.”
“Rylan. I swear we’ll let you know what happens when we get back.”
“But, Dad—”
“No, Rylan. While I still have a little say over what you do, you will do what I say.”
Lucy smiled at Murphy’s overbearing nature. Finn noticed Lucy’s twinkle and let out a soft laugh before kissing her forehead.
“Hey, Dr. O’Malley.”
“Hello, Krissy. Do you have an exam room free?”
The mousy brunette at the ER admissions desk went to check her computer screen.
