rogue

one

Chloe

I thought I had everything figured out.

I believed that excelling in school, earning a scholarship to Harvard, and having a part-time job would magically solve all my other problems.

But what I didn't anticipate was failing nearly half of my classes. Thanks to my highly paid internship (which, by the way, I recently lost), I simply didn't have enough time to study. With no job, I also couldn't afford to pay my former roommate the rent.

Yes, former roommate. As luck would have it, my best friend since kindergarten just kicked me out as well.

So, here I am, sitting in the rain in front of an apartment complex I swore I would never come near again, not in a million years.

A shiver runs through my body. My dripping wet clothes offer no protection against the cold autumn weather.

My short blonde hair sticks to my face, and I don't even want to think about what my makeup looks like.

I push my glasses back up my nose and let out a frustrated huff. "I can't believe I'm actually going to do this. I can't believe I'm too afraid to call my parents and ask them for help. I can't believe I have to ask this pretentious, arrogant little-"

"I hope you're not talking about me, Stanton." I close my eyes and curse silently. Great.

Not daring to look at him just yet, I attempt to get up. I take a step down but lose my balance on the wet, slippery ground.

I brace myself for the fall, but suddenly I find myself enveloped in strong arms, preventing me from kissing the floor.

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I lift my gaze slowly, mentally preparing myself for what lies ahead. My eyes travel up his chest, covered in a leather jacket, to a glimpse of golden skin where the jacket remains open. I notice his strong jawline and unbelievably full lips, where a raindrop traces its path down the curve. I have to fight the urge to reach out and wipe it away.

Then comes the lethal blow: his eyes. Those piercing green eyes.

And whenever I meet his gaze, I feel a tug at my heart.

I press my hand against his chest and push him away gently. "I'm fine. Thanks for catching me." I look away, trying to avoid his eyes, and instead, my attention lands on his hair—his black, wet locks sticking out in all directions. I can't help but smile. Not so flawless after all.

Stepping back, I attempt to compose myself.

"What are you doing here?" he asks before I can even begin to explain. "I must say, having a drenched girl sitting in front of my building, talking to herself at..." He glances at his watch. "At 1 am... Well, it's rather unsettling."

"I need your help."

"Yeah, figured as much." Since he doesn't say anything further, I look up again and find him staring down at me.

"I lost my job, and Linsey kicked me out because I'm three months behind on the rent," I finally confess, directing my gaze to my feet.

"Do you need a place to crash?"

"Finn, if I had somewhere else to go..."

He raises his hand, signaling me to be quiet, and crouches down to pick up my bag. "Your dad would be furious if he found out I didn't help you and left you sleeping on a park bench." He hurries up the stairs and retrieves the keys from his back pocket.

I can only stare up at him, completely dumbfounded. I expected some serious pleading from my side and a lot of grumbling and complaining from his... This? It's way too easy.

He swings the door open and glances at me over his shoulder. "Don't act so surprised. Get your tiny ass up here, or I'll reconsider the park bench idea."

He doesn't have to tell me twice. I quickly ascend the stairs and follow him to his apartment.

Once he unlocks the door, he gestures for me to enter. He switches on the lights, and I need to blink a few times to adjust to the brightness. He kicks off his shoes, and I struggle not to stare at his broad back as he removes his jacket. The way his muscles move, and his black T-shirt clings to his chest—it's undeniably distracting.

Without turning back, he heads to the living room, carrying my bag, while I'm left standing in the hallway, still dripping wet.

"Chloe, do I need to give you a personal invitation? Get out of those wet clothes and come here." There's a brief pause, and my breath catches. "I mean, change out of your wet clothes... You know what I mean," he calls out again.

Of course, I know what he meant. It's not like he's making a move on me. At least not again.

And that's exactly what I do.

After setting my shoes aside and hanging my jacket, I continue further into his apartment.

Nothing has changed since the last time I was here.

It remains a typical bachelor pad—modern, stylish, and impersonal. Black dominates every room, with minimal decorations, a large black leather couch, a huge TV, and a bar stocked with an excessive amount of alcohol. Nothing out of the ordinary for a 21-year-old guy.

But as I turn and approach where he stands in front of the fridge, something catches my eye.

A wall covered in photographs.

I take a step closer. Scratch my previous statement about nothing out of the ordinary here. Because this? This wall filled with family pictures? It's the epitome of unusual for Finn Warren.

Countless pictures of his mother, Noelle (still stunning in her forties, one of the most beautiful women I've ever met), and his father, Damien (Damien, my first-ever crush, and as he ages, well, you know what they say about wine—age makes it better).

My big smile immediately fades when I spot one particular picture—the picture I carry in my purse every day. I look at it daily to never forget, to always remember that life, as easy as it can be given, can be taken away.

I reach up and trace the lines and curves of that little person whom I know better than myself.

I didn't hear him approach, but suddenly I sense him standing behind me. "I miss her," I whisper, afraid my voice will break if I say more.

He clears his throat, and as I turn around, I barely catch the emotions that wash over his face.

Sadness, pain, and anger.

Too quickly, he reverts to his usual blank and disinterested expression. "Whatever you're going through, I owe it to your family to help you out. But Chloe, no snooping around or sticking your nose where it doesn't belong."

I gulp. Yeah, I knew this wouldn't be easy.

"Are we clear?"

"Crystal clear."

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Here it is !!!!!

I think you can already tell that this will be one hell of a ride...

hope you enjoyed xx

Ps.: if you didn't know already - it all started with Noelle and Damien ( Finn's parents) in Let Yourself fall :) don't forget to check their story out as well!

Love Jessy x