𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐆𝐚𝐦𝐞 | 𝐅𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐞

Chapter 35

Millie

Finn's silent as the hospice nurse makes a phone call. He's quiet as Maggie cries. I'm scared to death he's going to pull away. That he's going to run. Then I feel like a jerk for even thinking about that. Mary is gone. His mom just died. He just let her go.

"I need to get out of here," he finally says.

We leave the apartment and climb into the car. "Can you call Josh?"

He doesn't look at me when he speaks, so he doesn't see my nod.

I pick up my cell, call him.

"Can you make sure the house is empty?" I ask. I can understand why Finn would want to make sure no one's there when we get home.

"Already done," Josh replies.

I don't know how he knew, but it doesn't matter. "Thanks. We appreciate it."

"Take care of my boy," I hear him inhale, shake my head, knowing he's probably sucking weed into his lungs right now.

"I will."

I try to put the phone in the cup holder, but it falls between the seats and to the floor. I leave it. It doesn't matter right now. Nothing does except for Finn.

His hand is on my leg the whole way home. I wonder if he needs that connection as much as I do? To know that even though it hurts, there's still someone by my side. And it has to be even worse for him.

As promised, the house looks empty when we get home. Dark. The porch light isn't even on.

Finn lets go of my leg and gets out of the car, but doesn't move. I wish I knew what to do for him. A way to lessen the pain.

Getting out, I walk to the other side of the car.

"I can't believe she's fucking gone." He leans me against my car like he did the wall earlier and holds me.

His grip eases me. How easy would it be for him to run right now? I did when I found out about my mom and our situation was completely different. But he's here. With me. Leaning on me and holding me.

"I love you," I tell him.

"I—"

"—Isn't that fucking sweet?" A male voice comes from behind us.

Finn instantly tenses.

"She's got him whipped. At least you were smart enough to keep someone fun on the side, Jacob."

Finn whips around. I feel the anger rolling off of him.

Jacob and three of his friends stand behind us. I smell beer. One of them has a bottle in his hand that he drinks from.

I try to wrap my arms around Finn from behind. We don't need this right now. "Let's just go."

He shakes me off.

"Going to listen to your girl? Don't have a big mouth like you did the other day?" This from Jacob.

"Please fucking hit me, Pretty Boy. I'm begging you. I won't even fight back at first," Finn steps forward. Again I grab his arm and he pulls away.

"Don't do this."

I know this isn't even fully about Jacob. He wants to hurt because of his mom. He wants to hurt someone else because of her. I look at Jacob and shout, "You have the worst timing ever. Leave him alone."

"Get in the car, Tiny Dancer." Another step, but I'm right behind him.

"What are you guys even doing here?" I stand next to Finn who again tries to push me behind him.