Finding Finley ✔

21

Darby

I'm engulfed by Finn's woodsy scent, that somehow always seems to be mixed with a bit of mint. His arms are around me so tightly that it makes my bruised ribs ache a little, but I'm not going to tell him that, I'm not going to give him a reason to let go. 

As if he can read my mind, Finn suddenly pulls back, his hands dropping to my waist. "Shit, Darby I'm sorry. I forgot. That must have hurt, I'm so sorry."

So he knows. 

"It's okay, Finn." I give him a nervous smile. I'm not sure why he's here. Was it because Ellie told him about Josh or because he is actually ready to talk to me? Maybe both?

His hands fell away from me and he runs one through his hair again. I can't help but smile as he does so, and the awkward smile he gives me when he notices just makes me smile even more.

"Come inside, we should probably talk." I step back to make room for him to come in.

He looks around the apartment, his eyes landing on the empty pizza and carry out containers on the counter tops. "Where's Bethany?" 

"She went home for the weekend." I'm nervous again. He notices me pulling on the sleeves of my sweatshirt and steps toward me, taking my hands in his. 

"Darby, are you okay?" His voice is low, like he's scared to know the answer to his own question. His eyes are still full of all the emotions I saw in them moments ago when I opened the door. I want to tell him that I'm fine, that he didn't need to worry about me, anything to make his eyes shine again. But I made a promise to myself that if Finn ever gave me another chance, I would be nothing but honest with him.

"No." It comes out barely above a whisper but I know he heard me. He squeezes my hand before pulling me in to another hug, this time being cautious of my bruises. I don't know when I started to cry, but I am. I cry and cry as Finn holds me in the middle of my apartment, his hands smoothing down my mess of hair.

When I finally pull myself together, I look up at him and I can see that he's holding back a million questions and thoughts. I take his hand and pull him with me to the couch, shoving my books and laptop out of the way. 

Finn sits down and I take a seat on the cushion beside him, turning my body towards him and crossing my legs. He's still holding my hand, our fingers entwined and resting on my bare knee. 

An episode of The Office is playing on the television and Finn's eyes are glued to it, his mind far away though, thinking things that I can't see.

"Finn, you can ask me whatever you want to know. I'll tell you everything." I make my voice as steady and sincere as I can. I need him to know that I'm done hiding things from him.

Finally, he turns toward me. "I...I found pictures on Ellie's phone. Pictures of you...she said that you broke up with Josh and he...she said he did that to you." 

Anger and sadness are evident in his voice, and on his face. I want to make it stop, I want the happy, bright, smiling Finn back. 

"What else did Ellie tell you?" I need to know what he knows before I tell him myself.

A hint of a smile touches his lips. "That if I came here and acted like a dick she'd basically kick my ass."

I can't help but laugh. It was the most Ellie thing I could possibly think of for her to say. 

Finn lets out a small laugh too, but then his face goes back to being a mix of confusion and sadness. "She didn't really tell me anything, Darby. It's your story to tell and if there's one thing Ellie respects, it's that."