Page 29 of Jolene's Justice

“No,” she blurted, cutting him off once more, then shrugged in mock resignation. “Maybe she did us a favor. Maybe it’s better if we just remain friends. I’ve got my hands full with the bar. I haven’t had time to even visit my dad, let alone devote time to a relationship.” Her face contorted with pain as she paused and pinched the bridge of her nose. He longed to make the hurt go away with every fiber of his being but felt helpless. Her hand fell, and with it, all emotion drained from her as she peered at him with empty, glassy eyes.

“Jolene.” His plea to her was fueled by his desperation to explain.

She raised her hand, and he clamped his mouth shut. “Your silence about her makes me feel like I don’t really know you, and now I’m carrying a secret that I don’t want to keep.”

Fuck. When put like that, it made him sound horrible. A stab of guilt struck deep in his chest. “I just need you to hear me out, and I can clear everything up.”

She was shaking her head before he’d even finished speaking. “I’m tired, Finch,” she uttered. “I’m tired of being hurt . . . duped. I refuse to go through that again.”

His throat ached with defeat. In an attempt to conceal his emotions, he hunched his shoulders even further and stared at the ground. Overwhelmed with grief and guilt, he couldn’t comprehend her words. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean?”

“I don’t need excuses. Let’s just forget this ever happened. It probably wouldn’t have worked out between us anyway.” His gaze shot up to hers, surprised that she actually believed what she said. With each passing word, the sense of loss grew stronger within him. “Then what would have happened? We have friends in common. If it didn’t work, it would have created an uncomfortable situation for everyone. We’re better off as friends. I need you to respect that.”

He could read the desperation in her eyes, which made his spirits sink even lower. He ran an unsteady hand through his hair, accepting defeat reluctantly. His frustration was so palpable, he really wanted to tear his hair out by the roots. If he could just get her to listen, maybe he would still have a chance. But the hurt and longing that lay in her eyes gave him pause.

With a heavy heart, he decided to give her what she wanted. For now. He’d give her time. Then perhaps someday, she’d be open to listening to his story. He clung to the idea that the day would arrive sooner rather than later.

“Okay. I’ll respect that.”

“Good,” she said, walking past him to open her hotel room door.

Picking up on the subtle cue of dismissal, he approached her by crossing the room. His fingers brushed against her skin as he cupped her cheek, unable to stop himself. His touch startled her, causing her eyes to widen as they locked onto his. “I’ll always be here if you need me, Jolene. That will never change.” Then he kissed her cheek and walked out the door, almost colliding with Emma.

“Ahh, the walk of shame,” Emma teased. “About time the guy gets to feel what that’s like.” He knew he was turning bright red, and Emma confirmed it when she burst out laughing. “Oh my God. Are you blushing? Wait. Let me get a picture. I have to document this. The day Finch blushed.”

She was reaching into her pocket for her phone when, with a groan, Finch blushed even deeper. He took off down the hall before she could get her picture. “Very funny,” he called over his shoulder.

“But I didn’t get my picture,” she shouted after him. He flipped her the bird over his shoulder, and she laughed harder.

“Leave the poor man alone,” Jolene admonished just before the door slammed closed. The sound was deafening, even at a distance. It reverberated through him like a physical blow to his shattered heart. It was a sharp and conclusive end to everything he had hoped for, leaving him feeling empty and alone.

He could still hear the sharp bang of the door in his mind, as if it had just happened. Could still feel the reverberations beating against his heart, slicing it with its finality.

Now that he knew about her ex, he understood how completely he’d fucked up. It was truly amazing that she was even talking to him, let alone kissing him.

Learning about what that man, Harrison—even the name was douchey—had done to her, he could feel her anguish and anger. That man and his wife had stolen away everything that was important to her. Including her trust in people. It was no wonder she hadn’t wanted to hear any excuses from him. He could have talked until he was blue in the face about the truth of his marriage, but it wouldn’t change the fact that she felt duped. Again.

He’d taken that knowledge like a sucker punch to the gut. By omitting the fact that he was separated from his wife while they had been getting to know each other, he’d betrayed her trust. He was no better than Harrison.

But after that kiss a few nights ago, he couldn’t help but think they were on the verge of putting the past behind them. She’d said she was ready to hear him out. That the two situations—him and Harrison—were as different as night and day. He had to draw strength from that. It wouldn’t be easy for him to talk about what his marriage had been like, but if he couldn’t tell Jolene, a woman he’d come to care for greatly, then who could he tell? The only way for them to move forward was for the truth to come out.

The SUV pulling into the driveway caught his attention. He could see the vivacious redhead who had the capability to change his life forever in the driver’s seat. She was the one who held his future, whether she realized it or not.

Chapter 13

Finchwasalmostdonewith the new porch stairs the next day, only one nail left to go, when his cellphone interrupted him. As he wiped his brow with the hem of his shirt, he fished the phone out of his pocket. His body immediately stiffened with tension upon seeing that the call was from his lawyer.

He took a deep breath, praying for good news, and swiped to answer. “Hey, Alan. I hope you have something good to tell me.”

“I think you’ll want to hear this. You got a minute?”

“Yeah, go ahead.” Apprehension stabbed through Finch’s body, feeling like a thousand needles. The weight of the call’s potential impact hung heavily on him. He’d been fighting relentlessly to achieve a positive outcome, with no end in sight. This was the closest he’d ever been.

“It’s done. The judge signed off on it. And all the paperwork has been filed.”

Uncertain, Finch shook his head in disbelief as he listened to Alan’s words. The words were muffled by the buzzing that had suddenly begun in his ears.

“I don’t . . . I . . . what?” As he tried to speak, Finch’s mind raced, his thoughts a jumbled mess that he couldn’t make sense of.

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