Taking the Heat

by Samantha Long

  "I know." Lucia sniffled, grabbed a paper towel to wipe her eyes and nose. "I won't do anything like that. I'm not ready."

  Addie nudged the plate of crackers over to her. "Hungry?"

  "Yeah." Lucia's smile was shaky but Addie was sure she'd gotten through to her.

  How was she going to face Victoria with this secret knowledge she promised not to tell? She'd never kept anything a secret from her sisters, and didn't want to start now, but she promised. This was going to kill her inside, she just knew it. And when Victoria found out about it and somehow figured Addie knew before her and didn't say anything? Victoria would kill her on the outside.

  Addie ate the crackers with Lucia in an uncomfortable silence until they were gone. When Victoria came home, Addie made an excuse and left. She couldn't face her yet.

  Chapter Eight

  Finn

  On the way to the game party he stopped to pick up chips and dip. He tried to force his nervousness down and told himself that it would only be for a little while.

  Luke's apartment was on the first floor and he knocked. The door swung open and his pulse stumbled.

  "Hey." Addie looked as surprised as he did and her cheeks flushed.

  Why did he think that was sexy as hell? "Hey."

  They stood like that for a few moments until another woman pulled Addie out of the way.

  "You have to excuse her, she was raised with cave men." The girl resembled Addie, but had her dark hair cut in a bob and whiskey brown eyes. "I'm Halle."

  "Finn."

  He caught the raised eyebrow Halle turned on Addie, but didn't think much of it.

  "Come in." Addie gestured for him to enter and took the grocery bags he carried.

  Finn shut the door behind him. Voices floated in from the living room and he tensed. He couldn't do this, he couldn't. The crowded room made his skin crawl.

  A soft hand touched his forearm, right over his Celtic shield tattoo, and the crawling sensation drowned underneath the heat from her touch. Addie looked at him, questions in her eyes that he didn't want to answer.

  "I'll introduce you to everyone." Addie handed the bags to Halle and she took them to the kitchen.

  He followed her into the living room, which was sizable for an apartment. Several people stood and others sat in chairs and on the sectional. Luke stood, looking between Finn and Addie.

  "Finn, glad you could make it." Luke clapped him on the shoulder. "I see you've met Addie."

  Finn just nodded, ignored Addie's puzzled look.

  "Halle was at the door with her, Addie's sister. Victoria," he pointed to another look alike of Addie's, who sat on the couch beside a guy who looked like Luke. "And that's my brother, Nick. My mom is on the couch with them and Victoria's daughters, Lucia and Helena."

  Finn nodded to each person, the pressure thickening on his chest. This was a family thing so far and he felt like he was intruding. Had Addie told Luke to invite him? No, that didn't make any sense, they barely knew each other when Luke had invited him.

  "Dear, why don't you have a seat over here." Cecelia waved him to a chair. "Thanks for bringing something, although you didn't have to."

  "Yeah, Mom made enough food to feed a third world country." Addie teased.

  "Thanks, ma'am." Finn slowly sat.

  Cecelia laughed. "No ma'am here. You call me Cecelia."

  "How do you and Addie know each other?" Luke suddenly asked.

  Finn tensed until Addie punched Luke in the shoulder. "He's a firefighter. Remember, we took the third graders to see the firehouse last week? Lay off."

  Luke rubbed his shoulder. "Are you sure you don't want to join the fight scene?"

  Cecelia cleared her throat and Luke held up his hands. "Joking."

  "Want a beer?" Nick stood, asking Finn.

  "Sure." Finn tried not to fist his hands on the arms of the chair. They seemed like really nice people, but being around this many in such a social setting, with them being a family, made it hard to relax. He tried not to follow Addie's movements with his gaze, but that was hard, too.

  "Here you go." Nick handed him the beer, already open.

  "Thanks." Finn had seen him around the gym from time to time, saw him and his brother spar.

  A knock sounded on the door and Luke rose to get it. "I think that's Matt and Rhona."

  Luke came back into the living room, followed by a very pregnant woman and another guy he'd seen at the gym, a trainer. When he saw Luke giving introductions again, and that the couple was obviously not family also, Finn relaxed a little. He didn't feel like he was intruding as much.

  "How long have you been in Sanctuary Bay, Finn?" Cecelia asked from her chair near his.

  "I moved here a few months ago for my sisters, ma--Cecelia." He cut off the ma'am just in time. Her lips quirked and it reminded him of Addie's smile.

  "That's very nice. How many sisters do you have?"

  "Four, although only two live here."

  "Mom, stop interrogating him." Addie shot her mom a look. "He's a guest."

  Cecelia smiled at her. "I'm not interrogating him."

  "You kind of are." Victoria told her with an apologetic look. "He shouldn't have to tell you his life story."

  "Okay, I know when I'm beat." Cecelia laughed at them.

  "Game's almost on," Wes said. "Let's get the food together."

  Cecelia and Charlotte both stood, and both waved Wes to stay seated.

  "We'll get it," Charlotte told them.

  Finn didn't miss the worried looks Nick and Luke shared and he took a second look at Charlotte. She looked a little tired, but not overly so, so maybe the boys were overprotective of their mom. Then he stood so Rhona could have his seat. Now that he had no idea where to stand or what to do, he stood off to the side of the room awkwardly.

  Luke's nieces were giggling on the couch, whispering to each other, and to their mom and Nick. He wondered if he'd have children now if his relationship had went the way he wanted with his ex. Mia had been too wild to settle down though.

  "You're thinking too hard, not having fun." Addie leaned on the wall beside him. She tapped her beer to his. "Lose the pensive expression."

  "Okay." He tried not to think about anything, which was easy when Addie stared up at him with those dark blue eyes. His body responded to her closeness and he suddenly needed to think about anything but her. Because right now, all he could think about was her lips pressed to his the other night. "How is Harlow?"

  Her eyes sparkled. "Good. I had to buy a smaller litter box. She couldn't get into the other one, so I'll save that one for when she gets bigger. She's just a fluffy mess of cuteness." She tucked a piece of hair behind her ear and his gaze followed the delicate curve of her neck. "Thanks for bringing her to me."

  "You're welcome."

  "Sorry about mom. She doesn't mean to interrogate, she just loves to know about people."

  Finn lifted a shoulder. "It's okay, she didn't bother me."

  "Four sisters? I've always wondered what it would be like to have a brother." Addie glanced toward Luke and Nick and he did, too. Both of them watched him with narrowed eyes. Addie glared at them and they suddenly had something else to watch. "I guess I know now, don't I?"

  "I guess you do." Finn smiled and again his mouth stretched uncomfortably. How did she manage to make him do that? "What does that feel like? My sisters complain about it constantly."

  "I'm getting used to it. I'm the one who usually takes care of my sisters, because they're both sweet and gentle." Addie looked back at him as Luke changed the channel to the game and turned it up. "It's nice to have some men to help with it."

  Finn figured she handled herself well enough and didn't need the men to help her, but he felt better about Addie having brothers to look after her.

  "Let's get some chairs from the kitchen." Addie walked off, leaving him to follow.

  They settled beside the sectional in the wooden chairs and before he could lean back against the hard wood, Charlotte handed h
im a pillow.

  "For your back, sweetie," she said before handing one to Addie.

  "Thank you." Finn found the smile came easy when Charlotte patted his shoulder. Her touch was gentle and sweet, motherly. He hadn't seen his own mother since he moved and homesickness thickened in his chest.

  As time passed, he found himself relaxed and smiling more. Addie teased him just as mercilessly as she did the others, and so did the rest of her family. They included him, Matt, and Rhona in everything and the moms doted on the pregnant girl like she was their own. He found himself enjoying watching Addie around her family. It was different from the wild child act that she had at the bar. Seeing all the different aspects to her surprised him.

  Holy shit. He had to stop that train of thought now. For one, he wasn't settling down because he had too many issues on his own, and for two, she was a wild child and he wasn't looking to date someone like that. Not after Mia.

  When Addie offered him chips, he took a paper plate and set some on there, grabbed some dip. The football game caught his attention, as much as it was able with Addie right next to him, and he focused on it. He didn't want to be distracted by her, didn't want to be attracted.

  Chapter Nine

  Addie

  When Finn started to act distant toward her again she wondered what made him suddenly change back to the ass he'd been in the beginning. He quit talking to her, preferring to be silent or chat with Nick, Luke, or their parents.

  She couldn't handle his back and forth, hot-cold attitude toward her. Normally when a guy acted this way she ignored them back but she found it hard. He'd smiled today, freely, and it didn't look like his face would crack from it. Hell, it had been such a surprise to see him when she'd opened the door that her brain had automatically frozen. Thank God Halle saved her from completely embarrassing herself.

  Now he sat beside her, smile gone unless he spoke with someone else. She racked her brain to figure out if she'd said something to offend him, or been a general bitch, but she couldn't figure it out as much as she tried. Maybe she should stop worrying about his attitude and enjoy the time spent with her family. She loved hanging out with them and wouldn't let him ruin it.

  She turned her attention to Lucia¸ the girl was just as upbeat as ever, laughing with Nick and his mom, with her grandparents. No hint of what she and Addie talked about the other day. Addie tried not to focus on that, because that was something else that could suck the fun out of the day. She wasn't a big fan of sports, but she was a big fan of her family, so she didn't mind watching it for a little while.

  The debate over whether or not to tell Victoria about what she'd discussed with Lucia rose in her mind, battering at her. Addie mentally shook her head, turned to Halle, and smiled. "Who do you think is going to win?"

  "I have no idea." Halle smirked at her. "And neither do you."

  Addie watched Halle's gaze drift to Luke, before it snapped back to the TV. Her sister was interested in Nick's brother, even if she didn't realize it yet. How odd would that be, for two sisters to fall for two brothers? Addie didn't care as long as Luke didn't break Halle's heart.

  Throughout the game, her friends and family cheered at every touchdown or booed at every misstep. She tried to follow what was going on, but every time Finn moved, her attention automatically focused on him, even if it was only in her peripheral vision.

  Her mind knew that she should just drop him, ignore him and his asshole attitude, but her body wanted to experience more of what happened during the kiss. He lit every nerve in her body on fire. No other man had woken her body like that. Sure, she'd enjoyed the time spent with the other guys, but nothing compared to what happened with that one kiss.

  Helena came and sat with her in the chair for a little while and they talked about her math club at school. Luckily boys didn't interest her as much as they did Lucia. Addie could breathe a sigh of relief on that one. That's all they needed, both girls interested in boys at the same time. Lucia was enough for now.

  Addie wondered if she discussed it with Halle if Lucia would freak out. Lucia didn't tell her she couldn't talk to Halle about it, right? As long as Halle swore not to tell Victoria, she could get this off her chest and get some advice about how to help Lucia.

  That's what she'd do. Tonight, she'd get Halle over to her apartment and discuss it.

  §§

  "This kitten is so cute!" Halle nuzzled nose to nose with Harlow, then moved her to the crook of her neck.

  Addie heard the kitten purring from where she stood behind the bar, pouring them both a glass of wine. They'd need it.

  "And Finn gave her to you?" Halle quirked an eyebrow.

  "Yes, after he heard me saying that I wanted one at the sports bar." Addie pushed Halle's wine glass in her direction. "But don't read anything into it. He's so hot and cold, I don't know what to make of him."

  "I think he's interested."

  "Really?" Addie put a hand on her hip, gestured with the wine glass. "He barely talked to me at Luke's today. Not that I'm whining or anything, I hate when girls do that." She took a quick sip. "He gets me so unsettled. I hate it."

  "You need someone who unsettles you." Halle smiled over at her. "That's the point. If you felt nothing, or just went through the motions, it wouldn't mean anything. You go for guys that are passive, that don't challenge you because you're scared to commit. Scared of getting hurt. But you know what? Who isn't?"

  "I didn't ask you over to talk about Finn." Addie hated the snap in her voice, but even talking about Finn made her edgy.

  Halle took it in stride and Addie loved that about her. Halle could tell when she struck a nerve and didn't push. "What did you ask me over for?"

  "Lucia." Addie took a deep breath, prayed she was making the right decision by telling Halle. "You have to promise that what we discuss is just between me and you. You can't tell Mom and you definitely, absolutely can't tell Victoria."

  "Sounds serious." Halle nodded, eyes somber. "I promise not to speak a word."

  "Okay." Addie took a longer sip of wine. "Lucia told me that her boyfriend wants to sleep with her."

  "What?" Halle almost dropped the wine glass and Harlow jerked. "Sleep with...she's only thirteen, what the hell?"

  "Exactly." Addie nodded. "But Lucia doesn't want to take that step, thank God. The thing is, all her cheerleader friends have already lost their V-card and are trying to peer pressure Lucia into doing it, too."

  "Oh my God. Are you sure we don't want to talk to Victoria about this? This is serious."

  "I know." Addie sighed. "Lucia made me swear not to tell Victoria. To the point of tears. That's why I'm telling you. I need to know what's the right thing to do."

  "When you were talking to Lucia, did it seem like she would cave?"

  "She wants to wait, but is caught in the dilemma of him leaving her for someone who'll give him what he wants, or her friends leaving her out because she won't do it."

  "Jesus, these girls are too young. Why are they even thinking about that right now?" Halle put Harlow on the floor. "I don't want to scare her again when if I freak out some more."

  "I don't know, it blows my mind." Addie drained her wine glass and went to feed Harlow. "Should we tell Victoria?"

  Halle bit her lip. "If we do, we'll break Lucia's trust and she won't tell you anything again."

  "Does this warrant that, though?" Addie stepped back to the bar. "Is this one of those times we need to tell?"

  "This may be one of the hardest decisions I've ever had to make, and I've had to make some truly hard ones lately." Halle set her empty wine glass on the bar. "Let's think about it tonight, both sleep on it. We can decide in the morning. I don't want to rush our decision and make the wrong one."

  "Okay, that sounds better than anything I could think of." Addie placed both of their wine glasses in the sink, hugged Halle as she left, and then sat on the couch. It was a Saturday night, but she didn't feel like going out. Gemma and Autumn had both texted her a few times in disbelief, so
she finally told them she wasn't feeling well.

  It was odd for her not to go out on weekends, to find someone to have fun with. Tonight she didn't feel like going on the hunt or playing the game. She wanted to curl up on the couch, watch mindless TV, and cuddle with Harlow.

  Flipping through channels, she decided to watch a reality TV show about couples finding the perfect house. She never really wanted a house, didn't want to worry about the upkeep of a lawn or cleaning a bigger space. Although seeing some of the ones on TV, she might change her mind.

  She really needed to decide what to do about Lucia's problem. She tried to put herself in Victoria's shoes, imagining herself with a daughter and her having the same problem as Lucia. Would she want to know what was going on with her?

  Hell yeah she would.

  There, decision made. She'd let Halle come to her own decision and text her in the morning.

  Chapter Ten

  Finn

  His sisters finally invited him over. He wondered what took them so long, but decided he'd ask when he got inside. They lived in a little house near the outskirts of town, which only took him five minutes to get to from the station. As he was about to get out of the car, his phone rang. This time he didn't hang up, the unease getting stronger. "Who is this? What the hell do you want?"

  A muffled voice and static reached his ears. "I want you."

  Finn looked at the phone but the number was blocked. When he put the phone back to his ear, the dial tone buzzed again. What the fuck was going on? Right now he wanted to focus on his sisters, so he ignored it for now.

  Kelsey opened the door before he knocked and jumped on him. "I've missed you so much."

  His arms went around her, his sisters being just about the only people he let touch him. Besides Addie now. He pushed the wild girl out of his mind and focused on his next-to-youngest sister.

  After hugging him for a few seconds she led him to the living room. "Jenna's at work, so I called you."