Page 30 of Finn

I clear my throat and shrug. “Everyone has a best friend already.”

She smiles and reaches her hand over, squeezing mine. “Do you know what it’s like to have a guy as a best friend? A guy that doesn’t like to even tell me about his personal life?” she asks, raising an eyebrow.

“No, because I’ve honestly never had a best friend. I never thought anything of it before, but with everything that has happened recently with my stepfather, I realize they were almost keeping me hidden. They kept me so sheltered that anyone who I did want to get close to eventually moved on because I couldn’t do shit. So, I really don’t know what it’s like having someone like that,” I admit, looking over at her.

She’s smiling as she keeps her eyes on the road. “Well, here’s the thing. Finn will always be my best friend. I’ll always be that person for him. But I miss having a girl best friend. Someone to compare sex stories with or go get drunk with. Someone that I can call when I’m pissed at Riley that isn’t going to judge my irrational reactions.” She turns her head toward me and smiles. “I need a girl best friend. Do you know anyone looking?”

We both laugh, and I can feel the emotions building. My eyes are filling with tears, and I quickly wipe them.

“I’d love that,” I say.

“Me too, and since I’m going to take on the role, that means we’re getting drunk tonight to celebrate,” she says.

“Hell yes,” I agree.

We’re close to Souls, and I want to start out this new relationship on the right foot, so I swallow nervously, wringing my hands together. I turn my body toward her slightly and clear my throat.

“So, since we’re going to be best friends, I should admit that I didn’t trust you at first. I thought for sure something was going on with you and Finn. He would constantly talk about you and the club, and I thought there was no way a guy and girl could be friends like that. I know now that’s not the case, but I thought I should be honest with you,” I say, feeling lighter.

She parks outside of Souls and turns off the car. Turning in her seat, she smiles at me. “I know.” She laughs, shaking her head. “I could see it in your eyes that day I came over to Finn’s. I didn’t say anything to Finn because he overthinks shit as it is. I just knew that if you really cared about Finn, you’d eventually see that I’m no threat. I have a fiancé that makes me extremely happy. Not to mention he’s the best sex I’ve ever had in my life.” I laugh, but she’s not finished. “You and I are more similar than you might think. Besides being close in age, we both came into this club attached to someone they hate. Your stepfather and my sister.” I raise my eyebrows, and she gives a tight smile. “My sister dated Kace, and it ended badly. Really badly. She got mixed up with the wrong club, and she was killed by a member of Shattered Souls.”

My hands fly to my mouth as my eyes widen. “Oh my God, Gillian, I’m so sorry. I had no idea.”

She gives me a tight grin. “Of course, you didn’t because this isn’t about my story. This is about you and Finn. But I just want you to know that I understand everything you’re going through. I hated this club for ending my sister’s life. It took a lot of time and anger until I was ready to accept the truth, but once I did, I was able to move on. I’ll never tell you what you should do, I’ll give you advice on what I think you should do, but I won’t push you. And my advice is to talk to Porter. Get the truth. He didn’t raise you. You don’t know him, but I can promise you one thing for sure, these guys will not lie to you. Even if it’s something you don’t want to hear, they’re gonna tell you.”

She pushes open her door and smiles. “So, don’t be jealous of my friendship with Finn because I went through the burning fires of hell to get where I am with Riley. He’s my world.”

She gets out of the car, and I rush out, grabbing her arm before we go inside. “Gillian, thank you,” I whisper.

She wraps her arm around my shoulders and smiles. “That’s what best friends are for,” she says, winking. “Now, let’s go get drunk.”

We’ve been sitting around talking for almost two hours. The guys had to go do something, so it’s just the girls, and for the first time, I don’t care. I’m starting to understand why they are all so close. They are constantly together.

I watch Ivy bounce her baby boy as he giggles, and my heart swells. I was there when she took that pregnancy test, and now this beautiful boy is here.

“You want kids?” Ivy asks, lifting an eyebrow.

I laugh, shaking my head. “That’s not why I’m staring. I was thinking about how I was there when you took the pregnancy test.”

She laughs, shaking her head. “Best thing that ever happened to me.”

“My little Alex is the best thing to ever happen to this club,” Harper says, tickling his little belly.

“Are you thinking about kids?” I ask.

She looks at me and laughs, tossing back the rest of her drink. “Hell no. I have no interest in being a mother. Too much to worry about. If my upbringing taught me anything, it’s that some people should not have children.”

“Harper, don’t punish yourself and Zane for the mistakes your father made,” Adalyn says.

The way she’s looking at Alex, I can safely say she is hoping for a grandchild of her own.

Harper smiles, pulling her hair out of Alex’s little hand. “I’m not punishing anyone. Zane and I both decided that kids are not in our future. We’re happy to be the cool aunt and uncle.”

“A child is the greatest blessing,” Adalyn says, shaking her head.

Harper looks at her as her eyes harden. “You’re right. A child is a blessing, but I’m not going to bring a child into this world. You, of all people, should understand that,” she says through clenched teeth.

She straightens herself and smiles. “Plus, Ivy will give us more, and we all know when Gillian is ready, she’ll be pregnant in five minutes.”

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