Chapter 33

CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE

I ’m Sorry

Finn

“You’ve got balls bringing her here,” Jacob roars.

“I didn’t know I needed permission to bring a friend home,” I say tersely.

“A friend, huh?” he mutters.

“What is your problem exactly?” I snap at my brother as we set up the chairs on the patio outside. Brett had them put away at the end of summer but he is making the bonfire in the firepit he had made, and he asked if we could set up the chairs for after dinner.

“Charlie was fired from the team. How exactly did she get her job back? The Provost never said.” He raises his brows, waiting with anticipation.

Fuck.

“She wasn’t fired, she quit,” I correct.

“Don’t play with me, Finn,” he warns.

“Why does it matter? What’s important is that my position isn’t in jeopardy and Charlie can finish off her internship, which ends in the next few weeks.”

My words do not appease my brother as he watches me with a heaviness in his gaze. “I’m the coach of that team. Don’t you think I should know what is going on with my players? As it is the whole investigation looks bad, Finn. You’re the captain of the team. You’re supposed to be setting an example, not being the one causing trouble.”

His words light a small fire inside me. “Don’t you think I know that?” I snap. “But for once I wanted to do something for me. I wanted a taste of the forbidden fruit and not because it is forbidden to me but because I really like that fruit,” I bark.

Jacob’s brows draw together. “We’re talking about Charlie, right?”

I shake my head, placing my hands on my hips. “I like her, Jacob. Like really like her. I haven’t felt this way before, and you don’t need to worry. I gave my word to the Dean, and I don’t plan on touching her,” I promise.

“What made the Dean change her mind?” he continues.

“You’re being an annoying ass. You don’t need to know everything,” I tell him.

He sighs. “For what it’s worth, I’m happy you found her. Just could’ve been under better circumstances.”

“Thanks, Bro, it’s not something I planned,” I retort.

Jacob claps me on the back and we set up the last of the chairs. When we walk into the house, Charlie is there with her dad.

“Hey, did you guys get settled in okay?” I ask them.

“We sure did, everything is perfect,” her dad replies.

“Thanks so much for inviting us this weekend,” Charlie says.

“I’m the one who should be thanking you for coming,” I return.

I look over at my sister and she is beaming.

“Dinner will be ready in five,” Willow chirps.

“Can I help with anything?” Charlie asks.

“Nah, just go and relax,” Willow says.

“Can I offer you guys a drink?” Brett offers. “Whiskey, a before dinner shot, or some wine?”

“Just some water for me would be great,” Scott answers.

“Me too,” Charlie replies

Scott looks over at Charlie with pursed lips. “Sweetie, if you want to drink something you can. Don’t worry about me.”

I watch Charlie’s face pale.

“Water is good, thanks. If I have wine now, I’ll fall asleep,” she explains to Brett, who smiles and passes us drinks from behind a bar in the main room.

Lev and Jack tumble through the front door. “Boys not in the house,” Mom shouts.

The guys laugh. “They still love roughhousing,” Mom says, shaking her head. “I’m just happy I don’t live here anymore so I don’t have to clean up after all of you.”

“Here we go,” Lev snaps. “It took her all of two seconds to complain about us.”

I watch Jacob giving him a look that says do something to calm the situation.

“Let’s just relax,” Jacob urges.

Jack walks over to the bar and pours himself a glass of wine.

“Dinner’s ready,” Brett announces.

We all gather around the long dark wood dining table that has a silver tablecloth over it. The table is covered in all kinds of salads and fried chicken.

“This looks delicious,” Charlie’s dad praises.

We all sit together for a meal.

“Tell us about Utah,” Lev says to Jack.

“There isn’t much to tell,” he replies.

“My brother’s never have much to tell,” Willow informs.

“You guys had a good game in Boston last week,” Jacob says to Jack. “That guy who checked you into the boards is a rough player, but you had a nice comeback with the way you stole the puck and swung around the back of the net.”

“That goal was fucking fire,” Jack agrees.

“Oh, Uncle Jack, you said the F-word,” Maylee says, smiling wide.

“Sorry.” He winces.

“Sorry won’t do. You need to pay me or I’ll say it too,” Maylee warns.

“Maylee Noble,” Brett scolds in a shocked tone. “You can’t blackmail your uncle.”

“Fuck. Fuck. Fuck.” This time it’s my little nephew Austin who is cussing like a sailor.

My brothers break into laughter.

“Don’t laugh,” Willow warns. “He’ll think he’s funny. You’re all encouraging this.”

“It’s just the F-word.” Mom winks at Maylee.

“Mom,” Willow chides. “Not cool. We’ve spoken about this.”

“Oh, come on, it’s no big deal. I didn’t care when you all cussed,” Mom says.

“You mean you just didn’t fucking care,” Lev snaps.

I haven’t been home in years and I see nothing has changed, except for the fact I haven’t seen Mom interacting with Willow and Brett’s kids. It isn’t a pretty sight and I am not surprised.

“You all promised you’d behave.” Willow frowns.

“Seriously, I haven’t been home in years, and I have guests. Don’t you all think you can act normal for a couple of hours?” I ask, feeling embarrassed that Charlie and her dad are witnessing my shitshow of a mother.

“You mean you want me to behave,” Mom snaps.

For crying out loud. I sigh.

“I have guests. Not that I should have to remind you,” I snip to Mom.

“You better remind her of her boundaries too,” Lev mutters, referring to the fact that Mom looks like she wants to jump Scott’s bones, which is giving me serious heebie-jeebies.

“For the love of. . .” Willow palms her forehead.

“Okay, guys, my wife put in a lot of effort to have all of you around the table together. Let’s just calm down and enjoy the meal,” Brett urges.

The doorbell rings.

“You enjoying my shitshow of a family?” I lean over and ask Charlie.

“I’m guessing every family has their quirks. You already know what mine is like.” She blushes.

The doorbell rings again.

“I wonder who that could be. I didn’t invite anyone else,” Willow says.

“I’ll get it, honey. You relax,” Brett offers, and he walks over to the door.

He opens it but I can’t see who it is from here.

“Chelsea, right?” Brett asks.

“Yes,” the voice says.

My heart dips. I haven’t seen her since senior year of high school.

“What the hell is she doing here?” I growl but I am looking at my sister since this is her house now.

Willow shrugs. “No clue.”

“I invited her for dessert,” Mom announces.

“You did what?” I snap.

I look over to my sister, who looks sympathetic.

“Abi invited me for dessert. I hope it’s okay,” Chelsea says to Brett.

“Of course. Come on in,” Brett replies.

I’m not sure what to do but my hands are clammy. I don’t know why. I got over Chelsea eons ago.

Brett walks her into the dining room. She looks different. More mature. Her blond hair is blown out in soft curls and her blue eyes are shining. Her figure is more curvaceous. She is a beautiful girl but when I look at her, I feel ice in my veins.

Jack gets up to grab another chair from the kitchen.

“Come have a seat,” he says to Chelsea.

“It’s nice to see everyone,” Chelsea responds and then her eyes land on me before they shift to Charlie, who is sitting beside me.

“Oh, I shouldn’t be here,” Chelsea backpedals standing. “I didn’t realize you came home with someone.” She eyes my mother.

“It’s fine. You can stay if you like. This is Charlie and her father, Scott,” I introduce.

“Ah! You’re having her family for Thanksgiving. You guys must have been together a long time,” Chelsea fishes for information.

“It’s been just over two months,” I reply, gritting my jaw.

“That’s so nice. Do you both go to Riverside U?” she asks.

“Yes,” Charlie replies, but I can see how uneasy she feels, and I hate it.

“Can everyone help me clear off the table?” Willow requests.

We all stand and take the dishes over to the kitchen.

“Who wants to put the dishes in the dishwasher?” Willow asks.

“I’m not missing this shit. It’s better than reality television,” Jack says.

“Thanks, Jackass,” I retort.

“Mom, why would you do that?” Willow snaps at her.

I’m lucky Charlie and her dad are still seated at the table since they are our guests, but I realize I also left them alone with Chelsea.

“I was doing him a favor,” are the last words I hear Mom say.

When I walk out to the dining room, Charlie stands and yawns. “It’s been a long day. I think I need to go get some rest.”

I can see the hurt in her eyes and I don’t know what to do.

“I didn’t invite her,” I say, not caring that Chelsea can hear. She has a real nerve showing up like this.

“I know,” Charlie affirms. “I’m going to go. I think you both need to talk.” She walks over to the kitchen where I hear her thanking Willow for dinner and telling her she is tired. I want to stop her but I don’t know what to say or do. I feel frozen.

Mom walks back into the main room. “I’m going to head back to town.”

“So you drop a bomb and leave,” I spit.

“I’m forcing you to face why you haven’t been home in almost four years. This is closure,” she explains then she looks at Scott. “You have yourself a good night.”

“I’d love to see what’s in town,” he says.

My eyebrows hit my forehead. What the hell is happening?

“I could show you around town, and maybe you could come back to my place for a nightcap,” Mom offers.

I feel my food making a return.

They both leave and I notice my family not walking back into the dining room. Just fucking great.

“Why are you here, Chelsea?” I ask with a resigned tone. A part of me knows I should be running after Charlie, but I need my past gone before I can move forward.

“We have some unfinished business,” she states, shifting awkwardly in her chair. I can tell she’s nervous but I don’t care, she shouldn’t be here.

“You should not have accepted that invitation from my mother,” I scold.

“You haven’t been home in over three years, you’ve rejected all my calls,” she replies.

“Because we have nothing to say to each other,” I bite back.

“I have a lot to say,” she counters. “You know I was in a bad place.”

I scoff, “So you decided to sleep with my best friend? How is Chris doing, by the way?”

“He felt terrible too,” she says, and I’ve just about had enough. “He’s been in Alabama on their football team. He comes home on vacation.”

“Why the fuck do you think I care to hear about you and Chris?” My body is vibrating with anger.

“We aren’t together. That night was a one-time thing, and we both felt terrible,” she continues.

“How kind of you,” I sneer.

“Finn, I’m sorry for screwing up. You know my head was all messed up. I’ve gone to therapy and I’m doing better now. I want you to give me another chance.” Her words feel like an arrow piercing me unexpectedly.

“I’m glad you’ve gone for therapy, but what you did is unforgiveable. People have problems, Chelsea, but they don’t try to hurt the people they care about most,” I inform her. “I appreciate your apology, but I’ve moved on. I’m with Charlie and I love her.” I realize I should not be informing my ex that I love my present girlfriend before said girlfriend knows how I feel, but it’s true and I am driving the point home.

“Well.” Chelsea stands. “I’m happy for you, Finn. It was good to see you. I’m glad to see you’re doing so well.” Her eyes fill with tears and she walks over to me and gives me a hug, but my arms lay limp by my sides. A part of me feels sorry for Chelsea. I tried to be there for her over and over, but there was only so much I could take. “You take care.” She pulls away and swipes at a tear that’s escaped.

“You too,” I say to her. She walks out the front door and I realize my family is still in the kitchen because they wanted to give us privacy.

When the front door closes, everyone pours out of the kitchen and by the looks on their faces, they heard everything.

“It was fucking Chris?” Jacob roars. I never did tell any of them who Chelsea cheated with because I didn’t want my brothers losing their shit on Chris and ending up getting arrested.

I nod.

“Damn,” Willow says, looking shell-shocked. “You love her.”

Her words snap me out of my daze. I realize she is talking about Charlie. The woman who walked out of here when she saw my ex walk back into my life. The woman I didn’t go after because I was thrown off by Chelsea’s unexpected visit.