“Finn, don’t take this the wrong way, but you look like a lunatic who just escaped from an asylum.”
The most unhinged laugh leaves me as I place both hands on his shoulders and say, “In a way, I kind of did. My father kicked me out.”
“Shit! What the hell happened?”
“It’s a long story. I’ll tell you everything about it, but first I need to ask you for a couple of favors.”
“Anything, brother. Whatever you need,” Linc answers sincerely, just as I knew he would.
“Can I crash here for a few days? Just until I get my life in order.”
“You don’t even have to ask. My house is your house, Finn. Stay as long as you need.”
“Good, because I might overstay my welcome.” I chuckle.
“Never. You and the guys are the only true family I have left. It’s the least I can do.”
I pull him into a hug because I know Linc means that shit. He’s had a hard life, made even harder after what we did last May, yet he would never abandon us. Never forsake us. And I’m counting on his friendship more than ever to do what needs to be done.
“What else do you need, Finn? Whatever it is, I’ll make sure you get it.”
“I was hoping you’d say that. I’ve ruined enough lives as it is Linc. It’s time I start saving some, and I need your help to do it.”
Chapter 26
Stone
“You look upset, baby girl,” my mom says at my side as we walk over to my truck after leaving the doctor’s office.
“Huh?” I mumble absentmindedly.
“I said you look upset, Stone. Didn’t you like the new doctor?” my mom asks suspiciously as she opens the truck door.
“I liked him just fine, Momma,” I reply, throwing her a lukewarm smile in the hopes that it’s enough to dissuade her from continuing this conversation.
However, once I jump in the truck and fasten my seat belt, my mother grasps onto my hand before I’m able to put the key into the ignition.
“What’s wrong? I know something is troubling you. You should be over the moon, and yet you look sad. Why, baby? Tell me what’s wrong. Maybe I can help?”
I let out a long exhale and lean my head against the headrest.
“I just don’t like charity, that’s all.”
“Charity?” my mom repeats, confused.
“Yes, Momma. Charity. You know as well as I do that we can’t afford this fancy new doctor and all the treatments he’s planning for you.”
“Ah, I see. You don’t want me to go back, then? If it upsets you this much, I won’t set foot in this practice again.”
Shit on a stick! I’m such an asshole.
“No, Mom. Don’t you even think about it. If the Richfield Foundation is willing to pay for your treatment, then we are not going to look a gift horse in the mouth. Pride will not be the reason that will keep you from getting better.”
“And don’t forget the help they are offering your father, too,” she beams brightly.
How could I forget?
It sickens me how people with flushed bank accounts can suddenly get the justice system to work in their favor, while we have been trying in vain for years. But this thought, I keep to myself.
I watch my mother hug her midsection to keep the joy from spilling forth like a busted dam, so utterly happy that she has a hard time keeping her elation in check.
“These last few days, I’ve had to pinch myself non-stop to make sure I’m not dreaming. Your father’s new attorney is confident the appeal for his case will go forward without a hitch, since the last appointed lawyer botched it all up. He should have never forced your dad into that awful plea deal when there was no real evidence to support his conviction. This new fancy attorney even said that if all goes well, your father will be home by Christmas. Isn’t that wonderful?” she sings, her eyes watering with happiness.
I take her hands in mine and kiss her knuckles. It’s been years since I’ve seen true joy in my mother’s eyes. The sight of it warms my broken heart.
“Yes, Mom. We are very fortunate.”
“Baby, this is the miracle we have always dreamed of, and you don’t look one bit happy about it. Please talk to me.”
I bite my lower lip, unwilling to be the one raining on her parade, but I’m still incapable of keeping my trap shut.
“Don’t you find it odd that our family has become Richfield Foundation’s top priority all of a sudden? That they know of our existence and want to help us, just out of the blue?”
“No, not really,” she retorts with her brows drawn together. “I just assumed your boyfriend was behind this generosity.”
“Finn’s not my boyfriend,” I clip, pulling away from her touch, upset that I just uttered the name that has been haunting me for the last few weeks.
“Are you sure? Because the boy sure is acting like one. I mean, a man who tries to improve every part of a woman’s life in any way he can, must be looking for more than friendship. Love can be his only incentive, sweetheart. Don’t you think?”
“Or he’s motivated by guilt.”
“What do you mean? Did that boy hurt you, baby?”
Did Finn hurt me?
He ruined me. I gave him my heart, and he stole my future in an effort to keep it.
Hurt doesn’t even measure up to what Finn did to me. Obviously, I can’t explain that to my mother as it will only worry her. Since we got word that all her medical expenses, as well as my father’s legal fees, were going to be handled by the Richfield Foundation from now on, she’s been in high spirits—and not the manic ones that I’ve grown accustomed to.
“No, Momma. I’m hard as a rock, remember? No one can hurt me.” I try to play off with a wink, but the worried glare in her eyes shows me that I’m doing a piss-poor job at easing her concern.
“Stone? Just tell me what’s wrong. Please.”
I let out another exaggerated sigh and confess, “I didn’t get the New York job that I wanted. That’s what I’m upset about.”
“Oh, is that all?” She smiles, her shoulders visibly relaxing at my admission.
“Is that all?! Momma, are you serious? That job would have opened a million doors for me. It would have enabled me financially to stay in New York and take that partial scholarship at Columbia. This means, without that job, there’s no Ivy League school either. So, excuse me if I’m a little upset about it,” I explain, the wave of rage and resentment hitting me hard.
I try to swallow down the bitter taste of my anger and disappointment, but as I watch my mother look even more cheery-eyed than she was a minute ago, my wrath plummets over. I’m on the verge of calling my mom out for being so apathetic to my pain, but she holds her hand up, stopping my wicked tongue from lashing out.
“I know how much you wanted that job, baby girl. I understand your frustration, but I can’t say I’m unhappy that you won’t be moving states away from me, to a place where I wouldn’t be able to see you so often. And anyway, it’s not like Columbia was your only option. Richfield University is an amazing school, one that has already offered you a full ride. Therefore, I never understood why you wanted to leave your whole life behind to go up North in the first place.”