He heard what she didn't say. Their wild sister didn't want him coming over. Jenna always pushed her older siblings away because she thought they didn't approve of her, that they'd lecture her the entire time. It was impossible not to want to steer her in a different direction with the way she lived her life. It surprised him that she didn't mind Kelsey staying with her.
He glanced at Kelsey, saw she glowed with happiness. She was the exact opposite of Jenna, sweet and caring. Her blonde hair was long and wavy and her blue eyes shone with the goodness inside of her.
"Want coffee? I made some when I called." Kelsey pulled down two mugs, not waiting on his answer.
"Sure." He took a seat at the small square table and watched her move around, fluttering nervously. "Kelsey."
She stopped, turned and looked at him. "Hmm?"
"What's wrong?" He pinned her with a serious gaze, knowing she couldn't withstand the look.
"Stop, you know I hate that." Kelsey quickly made the coffee and set his mug in front of him before sitting. When he didn't stop, she sighed. "Okay, fine."
He sipped his coffee, holding back a smug smirk.
"I don't want to be a tattle tell, I don't want to make Jenna mad by telling you what happened." She tapped her fingertips on the mug.
"What happened?" His stomach sank. With Jenna it could be anything from drugs to men.
Kelsey groaned, then said, "She slept with her boss a few months ago and his wife caught them at the office."
"What the fuck?" Finn's grip tightened on his mug. What the hell was Jenna's problem?
"She said all the other girls were doing it, which I know is not a good excuse." Kelsey's shoulder lifted in a shrug. "The wife divorced him. Jenna's still working there, and I think she's still sleeping with him."
"Jesus Christ. What is wrong with that girl?" Finn wanted to beat some sense into her. "How could she do that?"
"You know how she is, Finn. It's why she moved away from everyone. She doesn't want anyone interfering in the way she does things." Kelsey's blue eyes watched him over the mug. "I'm telling you because I think she might listen to you."
"She won't. It'll pass through her selfish brain, and she'll go right back to it. She's lucky the wife didn't beat the hell out of her."
"True, but you know that wouldn't stop her. She doesn't care about anything but what she gets out of it. She doesn't care who she hurts, as long as she gets what she wants."
"Is that why it took you so long to invite me over? Because Jenna didn't want me to find out?" He was seriously going to have a talk with his youngest sister and she'd listen whether she wanted to or not. If she kept this up, she was going to ruin her life.
Kelsey's cheeks tinged pink and she nodded. "I didn't want her mad at me."
Jenna mad was like an F4 tornado, she ripped through you until there was nothing left. Kelsey wouldn't want to deal with that, being a non-confrontational person. He'd handle it, and if Jenna went after Kelsey he'd handle that, too.
"I understand. She can be a real bitch when she's angry." Finn changed the subject, wanting Kelsey to relax. "So, what's up with you?"
"Nothing. I found some buyers for my paintings, so I was able to get some more supplies. I need to find a studio or build one onto the house to have more space. Right now it's in my room and it's cramped in there."
"How much will it cost?"
"No, you're not buying it for me." Kelsey pointed a finger at him.
"I have plenty of money just sitting there, I'm not using it."
"I want to do this on my own, Finn. Please. I have to prove to myself that I can." Kelsey stared pointedly at him until he answered.
"Fine. Fine, I understand." Finn sighed. He really wanted to help her, and that money was just sitting there. He couldn't stand the thought of using it for himself, thought of it more as blood money.
"How are you doing?" She reached across the table and placed her hand on his Celtic shield tattoo. She knew why he'd gotten it, who he'd gotten it with. Knew that he still grieved for his best friend even if he didn't show it.
Finn couldn't talk over the lump in his throat that suddenly formed. Kelsey was the only one who would truly understand, she'd loved Isaac from the time they were teenagers and had planned on marrying him when he came back from overseas. He understood her need to prove to herself that she was okay. Her hand tightened on his and a few tears fell down her cheeks.
He never could stand the sight of her crying. He tugged on her hand, getting her to come over to him. He held her while she sobbed, the front of his shirt getting soaked. If a few tears fell from his eyes, he ignored them. Losing Isaac was the hardest thing he'd ever gone through and leaving Mia soon after, even if it was his idea, put his emotions behind an impenetrable wall. But here, with Kelsey, knowing she was going through the same thing, made it easier to let the walls slip a little.
When they finished, he asked, "How about I mow the lawn and do a little yard work? I'm off today and it could use it."
Kelsey nodded, used a paper towel to wipe her eyes and nose. "Okay. I'm going to go paint. I need to right now."
For as long as he could remember, Kelsey used painting to work through her emotions. He'd give her the silence and room to do it while he worked through his emotions a different way. He went to the back yard and into the little wooden shed that held the mower, weed eater, and shears. The mower started right up and he cut the grass.
It wasn't long before sweat dripped in his eyes, down his back, and soaked the front of his shirt. The hard work made his muscles burn, but it was a good burn. Feeling like he accomplished something helped keep his demons at bay. No cloud cover gave him a reprieve from the hot sun and he wished he had some sunscreen. His neck and arms burned hot from the rays.
When he finished with mowing the front and back, he grabbed the weed eater and got the grass by the sidewalk, driveway, and mail box. By the time he was done with that, it was lunch time.
Kelsey waved him in, fed him a sandwich and sweet, iced tea before he went back out and cut back some of the limbs and bushes. He stood and looked over the front of their house. It needed a refresher of white paint, but it fit them. A great starter house for his sisters.
He put everything back in the shed and went inside to say goodbye. Kelsey was in her room, sitting at an easel, brows furrowed in concentration. The face of the man she painted wasn't finished, but the warm brown eyes held a hint of mischief. She painted Isaac in his uniform, the day they both went to war.
He left without disturbing her and headed back to the station for a much needed shower. His heart ached from seeing the painting of his best friend. Isaac had been full of humor and life and watching him die had taken a devastating toll on Finn. A part of him died with Isaac that day.
After his shower he checked in with the chief to see if he needed to do anything. After telling Finn that the investigators confirmed what he thought, an arsonist lit the beach house on fire, Chief waved him out of the office with an order to relax. If only the chief knew that he couldn't do that, not anymore. His body stayed on constant alert, like he hadn't acclimated to civilian life yet. He wasn't sure he ever would. Every shadow, every noise in the dark reminded him of the worst time of his life. He couldn't block it out, couldn't give that part of himself resolution.
Just to give it a try, he sat down on the couch and turned the TV on. The other guys were out grocery shopping for the station and since it was his day off, he technically wasn't suppose to be here. But, he had no where else to go. No apartment or house yet, and soon Kelsey would start wondering why he didn't have one.
He couldn't bring himself to settle down that much. To make that big decision to stay. Not that he didn't want to, it just felt like too big of a move right now. Why should he have a place to live, be happy, when his best friend was ashes in the wind? No, it was better that he drift, too.
Chapter Eleven
Addie
She was running late. Gemma had asked Addie to meet her and Ca
rter at a seafood hole-in-the-wall that the girls liked. She'd rushed home from school and threw on a pair of shorts and a spaghetti-strapped shirt. The heat was unbelievable and she didn't want to wear more than she had to. Her hair was up in a messy bun because the humidity had it frizzing like crazy and it had a mind of its own.
The smell of fried shrimp and potatoes rose on the hot air in the parking lot and her stomach growled. She was looking forward to some good food. When she entered the restaurant, she immediately saw Finn sitting at the table with Gemma and Carter. Her pace stumbled a bit. That witch had tricked her into a double date and she could tell by the surprise on Finn's face, he hadn't known about it either.
Gemma jumped out of her seat when Addie spun on her sandals and went out the door.
"Addie, wait!" Gemma ran around in front of her, forcing her to stop in the gravel of the parking lot.
"Damn it, Gemma. You know he's an asshole. Why are you doing this?" Addie couldn't keep the venom from her voice. She hated being set up.
"I know, I do." Gemma placed her palms together, pleading. "Carter says it's because of his past and we should give him a chance. It's important to Carter that Finn be included in stuff."
"Stuff includes a double date? Seriously?" Addie went to move around Gemma but the girl was a ninja in high heels and blocked her again. "Gemma."
"Please. Addie, just give him a chance." Gemma reached for her hand, started to pull her toward the restaurant. "Just tonight. He did bring you a kitten."
Addie sighed, feeling the fight leave her. She couldn't resist Gemma when the girl practically begged her to come inside. "Fine. But if he's an ass, just once, I'm gone and he can pay the bill."
"Okay." Gemma hopped once, beaming. "You're awesome."
"I know." Addie shrugged off her irritation, went inside behind Gemma. "Hey, Carter. Finn."
Carter pulled out both of the girl's chairs and pushed them to the table. Addie cast a glance at Finn and saw he was as uncomfortable as she was. Her first instinct was to make him comfortable, it's what she did with everyone, but she held back a little at first.
"What are you guys drinking?" A waitress came over. She took their drink orders before walking to the back.
"How was work, Addie?" Carter asked when the waitress left.
"Good, third graders have insane energy." Addie picked up a menu. She ate here all the time, but sometimes wanted something different. She quickly decided on grilled tilapia, potatoes, and a salad.
"I have a nephew that age, and he's non stop. I swear he runs in his sleep." Carter laughed.
Addie watched him stare at Gemma adoringly, and couldn't decide if she was annoyed still or not. "What's his name?"
"Trent. He's my sister's kid. They live in Orange Beach, AL. My sister owns a yoga-Pilates gym down there," Carter told them. "Her husband works for a shipbuilder."
"Why are you so far away from them?" Addie asked, starting to get curious about the guy who held Gemma's heart.
"We're actually from NYC, but Sasha met her husband in Virginia when he was in the Coast Guard. I'm not exactly sure why they picked the Gulf Coast, but they love it." Carter shrugged. "As long as she's happy, I'm happy. I'm planning to go visit her soon."
Finn stayed silent throughout the conversation and Addie kept glancing at him. He still looked tense in his chair. Nothing like he'd been at her apartment. Definitely not like he'd been when he'd kissed her back. Heat flooded her cheeks and she tore her gaze from him. Why didn't she want to play with fire like she normally did?
Because she wasn't sure she could take the heat. Not his brand of it. He intrigued her to the point that she didn't think clearly and she couldn't take him looking so uncomfortable, either. "Finn, what are you going to order?"
His green eyes met hers, intense and stormy. "Not sure."
She quirked an eyebrow. "Seafood, I assume. I'm getting the grilled tilapia with potatoes and salad." She pinned him with her teacher's gaze, waiting on him to answer.
He sat up straighter, pulled a menu to him. "What's good?"
Finally, he was engaging with her. She knew this place. "Do you like fried shrimp?"
"Sure." His gaze drifted over her and that fire lit up again.
"Their fried shrimp is awesome, and get French fries with it. Oh, and the Remoulade sauce is great, too." Addie let her stare roam over him in answer. She didn't mind a little harmless flirting once in a while.
"Okay." He leaned back in his chair and Addie couldn't help but watch the way he moved. He intrigued her, one of the only guys to not fall directly in her bed, and she wanted to know what made him tick, why he rebuffed her. Not in a whiny-hurt way, but with serious curiosity.
The waitress came back and they put in their orders, Finn going with what Addie suggested. More people filed in and sat down and conversations rose and fell in the warm air of the restaurant.
Was the air warm because it bordered the ocean, or was it warm because Finn sat at the table with her?
Halle was right, he did bring her a sweet kitten, but did that mean she wanted to get involved with him? He wasn't like the usual guys she met, she could sense something had hurt him and it shimmered just below his facade of quietness. Would she want to be there when that wall cracked?
"In a few weekends, Carter and I want to rent a condo off the beach in Virginia. His sister is thinking of joining us. We wanted to see if you and Finn wanted to come along. Autumn is coming, along with Caleb." Gemma flashed Addie a you-better look.
Addie wondered when Gemma and Carter had become a we. "I'm in. I haven't been to those beaches and could use a vacation from Sanctuary Bay for a weekend."
Finn shifted in his chair.
"Come on, Finn. You can stand to be in my company for a weekend, right? Or would being around me constantly for three days tempt you too much?" She winked at him.
His lips twitched and Addie knew he'd heard the dare in her voice. "I think I can resist." He looked over at Carter and Gemma. "Just let me know when you have the weekend planned and I'll let Chief know."
"'Atta boy." Addie laughed, glad that he was showing some type of emotion. She'd only known him for a few weeks, but seeing him in that numb mode bothered her. She didn't want to analyze why, though.
"Okay, it's about a seven hour trip. We can all ride together and meet his sister and her family." Gemma's eyes lit up. "It's going to be so much fun." She'd already pulled her phone out and scrolled through Google to find them a condo.
"She doesn't waste a second, does she?" Carter cast Gemma another adoring look.
"Nope, never. She's a planner." Addie grinned.
The waitress brought their food and Addie waited for Finn to take his first bite.
"Damn, this is good." Finn nodded toward Addie. "Thanks."
She smiled at him before starting on her tilapia. This place made the best seafood as far as she was concerned and was glad that he liked what she suggested. She wanted to suggest other things, like her, but still wasn't sure if she wanted to take that step. Maybe she'd decide on their vacation.
Carter and Gemma kept the conversation going and Addie jumped in a few times when she had something to say. Finn stayed quiet after that, murmuring when someone asked him a direct question, which Gemma did a few times to pull him into the conversation.
When they finished their meals, the waitress brought the tickets, and only set down two. Obviously she thought Addie and Finn were a couple.
Addie reached for it, but Finn stopped her by placing a hand on hers. "I've got it."
Addie shook her head, pink tingeing her cheeks at the electric rush from his touch. "You don't have to."
"I don't mind." His crooked half-smile shot straight to her heart. Each and every time he smiled it was like a direct line to a transformer, her skin electrified.
"You're going to be stubborn, aren't you?" She tilted her head to the side, weirdly happy that he hadn't moved his hand yet.
His fingers brushed hers as he pulled the check from und
er her hand. "Yep."
Carter cleared his throat, making Addie jump. For just a few moments, she'd forgotten about Gemma and Carter.
Yeah, Finn was definitely dangerous.
Chapter Twelve
Finn
He grabbed the dumbbells off the shelf and started doing bicep curls. Looking around the gym, he saw that it was mostly packed in the middle of the day. For some reason, he didn't want to work out at the station, preferring to get out for a while. Being at the station reminded him of Addie, and he couldn't focus, or sleep, with her on his mind.
Especially with dinner the other night. She'd playfully teased him, shooting him heated glances that had him so hard he was afraid to get up from the table when the meal was over. He really needed to get her off his mind. Maybe working himself into a sweat and making his body regret it moved would help. Maybe if he worked out so hard that his brain quit functioning, he could sleep without seeing her face first.
Every word she spoke that night had his eyes lingering on her lush mouth.
He cursed under his breath when he realized he was thinking about her again. The damn woman had a way of sneaking into his thoughts and staying there, as stubborn that way as she was in real life. The challenge of her, of her stubbornness, had a weird way of turning him on. He'd thought after Mia's wild ways he'd never look at another wild girl again.
But he couldn't take his eyes off of Addie. Or his mind, and he knew from the kiss that night, he'd have a hard time keeping his hands off her, too.
"Glad you made it to the game the other night, Finn." Nick walked up.
Finn stopped his curls, set the weights at his feet. "Yeah, me too."
Luke joined them and Finn automatically tensed.
"Relax, Finn." Luke sent him a grin that took the fight out of Finn.
"Sure, yeah." Finn nodded. "Habit."
"Are you dating Addie?" Nick crossed his arms, face solemn.
Finn tensed again. "No."
"Doesn't look like it. Matt saw you with her and some friends at the seafood place the other night. Said you two looked pretty chummy." Luke's stare bore into him.
Taking the Heat Page 6
