Chapter 34

CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR

I ’m a Fool

Charlotte

There’s a light knock on the door, and I use the back of my hands to wipe the tears away from my eyes. I don’t want Daddy to see I’m upset. It’s another way I want to protect him from worrying about me.

I open the door, but it isn’t Daddy. “Finn, why are you here? I thought it was my dad at the door.”

He winces. “He left with my mom.”

“What?” I feel my eyes bugging out.

“I’m sorry, I couldn’t stop it. Mom left shortly after you did and your father offered to go with her.”

“Well, this situation is just a complete shitstorm,” I say, laughing maniacally. “I’m such a fool. I don’t know why I agreed to come here.”

“What is that supposed to mean?” His head rears back.

“I thought you and Chelsea would be having a nice little reunion by now.” I swivel around and head deeper into the guesthouse. I’m embarrassed for Finn to see me this way, with tear-stained eyes, my heart on my sleeve. I was never supposed to catch feelings for the hunky captain.

He walks up to me. “There is no reunion for Chelsea and me,” he states and then he takes a good look at me. “Shit, Charlie, I didn’t mean to upset you. It’s killing me see you all broken up.”

A garbled laugh escapes me. “I’m a fool. I just don’t learn.”

Finn’s lips turn into a frown and his eyes are etched in worry. “Charlie, I don’t want Chelsea. I’m pissed at my mom for inviting her. I had no intention of seeing her this weekend.”

“But you sure didn’t throw her out when she arrived. You wanted to speak with her. I could see it in your eyes,” I accuse and his head rears back. “Is that why you brought me here this weekend, so you could show your ex you were with someone else?” I ask, looking at him like I don’t even know him.

“What? No,” he says feigning offense. “I’ve been in touch with your dad for a while now. We’ve been touching base every week. He told me he hasn’t left Buffalo in a long while. Then I was talking to Willow about you. About my feelings for you, and she said I should invite you guys to stay for the weekend. I wanted to spend time with you in whatever way I could.”

“Don’t feed me bullshit, Finn. I was already tricked once and I get it. I’m na?ve, but not anymore.” Finn reaches for my hand and I pull away and take a seat on the couch. Tears are streaming down my cheeks. I feel foolish and embarrassed.

“Charlie, listen to me. I did not bring you here because of Chelsea. I stayed to talk to her because maybe we did need closure, but not in the way you think. We had known each other most of our lives and then she went and slept with my best friend, Chris, and I never spoke to her again. We didn’t talk about it. She tried to reach me but I wasn’t interested. I only heard her out because I needed to close that chapter of my life. Chelsea said she wanted me back. I’m not going to lie. She said she’s gone through therapy and she’s doing better now, but I don’t want her, Charlie,” Finn says and the earnest look in his eyes tells me he isn’t feeding me a story.

But I’m questioning my ability to read him, to read people in general. I had Raphael pegged so wrong, maybe I’m just a bad judge of character.

“Say something,” he pleads.

“What can I say? That I’m a bad judge of character?” I retort.

“Charlie, I have never lied to you,” Finn says while his eyes beg me to believe him. His beautiful emerald eyes that had me sucked in from the start.

“You should leave, Finn.” I stand and wrap my arms in front of me.

He looks shell-shocked but I’m sure it won’t take him long to get over me. He’ll probably be back in Chelsea’s arms by morning.

Instead, he places his hand on my shoulder and turns me to face him. It’s funny how our relationship started with us facing off and is ending in the same fashion. “Charlie, I need you to hear me out. I’m not going anywhere until you do.”

I look into his eyes that seem to be bleeding with sincerity. Is what I am seeing real or just some figment of my imagination?

“Charlie, from the moment I met you, things have been different. You weren’t after me because I was a hockey player, and you’re so real and honest,” he starts.

“You mean I’m a believing fool.” I snicker.

“I’m sorry I’ve made you question yourself. Since the night we spent on the beach, I’ve only wanted to be close to you. To get to know you. I went to Buffalo with you because I wanted to be close to you. Because the more time I’ve spent with you I’ve learned how caring and compassionate you are. How you put those you love before yourself.” My insides turn from anguish to a mushy feeling I can’t describe.

“You aren’t any different. Paying for my father’s therapy is over-the-top.”

“But he’s doing better. I mean, I don’t have anything to compare his progress to, but he told me he’s doing better,” Finn replies and then he sighs and he dips his head. “Charlie, I know it hasn’t been that long, but I’m madly in love with you. I love everything about you. I know it’s too soon and I’ll probably scare you off, but. . .”

I take a step forward and place my palms on his cheeks. “Finn. . .I love you too. You are so caring and nothing like what I was expecting you to be. You stole my heart with your kindness and I. . .”

“I really want to kiss you, but can we break our word?” he asks.

I burst into laughter. He drops to his knees and wraps his arms around my waist, pressing the side of his cheek to the area between my belly and chest. “What are you doing?” I laugh.

“We’re going to do things right this time, Charlie. I won’t risk our futures,” he states, holding me tight. I hug him back, holding him close, feeling like this man has my whole heart. It’s why I went running when I saw him looking at Chelsea because I didn’t want him looking at another girl the way he looks at me.

I run my fingers through his brown hair. “You’re something special, Finn Heaton.”

“You are too, Charlie Morgan.”