Page 78 of Wreck Me

“Well, I’m going to go in there tomorrow morning to lay it all out. I don’t anticipate him going down silently right away, but I’m confident he doesn’t want anyone to know he was fucking his attorney’s daughter.”

“Damn, I’m so proud of you. Do you know what you want to do? Where do you want to go after?”

“I’ve been thinking about my options. I may have worked at the Northwest Explorer, but my name is on every piece I’ve done. People know who I am. I’m a damn good writer, but I wonder if people will always wonder if there’s a story there, and I don’t want it lingering over my head.”

“You can’t leave writing altogether, Finn. You love it too much.”

“You’re right, and I won’t. I think I’m going to create my own travel blog for now. It’ll be a slow roll at first, but all I’ve ever wanted was to tell stories, Carter. Real stories about real people. My dad has this massive platform, and I was only happy to accept his abuse for as long as I did because, for the most part, I’ve been allowed to do exactly what I want to. But I’ve been living behind the fear of the unknown. It was easier to take his abuse than it was to rock the boat. I’m ready for the next chapter. I’m ready to rock the boat.”

“God, I love you. Your integrity, your courage, your resilience. You are my home, Finn. We’re going to get through this together. I think this is perfect for you, and while you grow, you’ve got me. You’re never going to be alone again.” His eyes shutter closed for a moment, opening with tears beaded on his thick eyelashes. “Do you want me to come with you to talk to your dad?”

“Would you?”

“In a heartbeat.”

He laughs, and I tilt my head, looking up at him while I try to read his humorous expression.

“I can’t wait to see the look on his face.”

“After we’re done there, I’m going to come out to my siblings.”

“Carter, you don’t have to . . .”

“No, I do. I want to. I need to. I love them and if we’re burning shit to the ground, we might as well do it together.”

“Do you think they’ll react okay? I know I’ve asked before, but I don’t want you to get hurt, and that fear is just a reality for others who’ve come before us. This entire concept that we have to come out like it’s some fucking announcement that needs to be made, as if we need permission to love who we love. But the fear is real, Carter. You think you know someone until you tell them you’re gay, or bisexual, or anything else that’s not in their realm of what they consider normal. I don’t want you to get hurt.”

“I’m not afraid. If they aren’t supportive, or hell, even if they couldn’t care less, I need to know. Because those aren’t people I want in my life to begin with. So, better to figure that out now at twenty-five than later.”

“I just need to say it again. You don’t have to do this right now. Don’t do it for me.”

“I’m doing it for us, Finn. You’re worth it. You’re enough, you’re all that matters to me.”

The emotion that consumes his face is enough to bring me to tears. I fucking love this man.

“Okay. I’m with you. No matter what.”

“No matter what.”

The next morning, Finn and I get ready together in his bathroom, both of us vibrating with nervous energy for what we’re about to do. The drive is fucking exhausting, and I can’t believe he just did this back and forth yesterday. I haven’t had to drive into the city in a long-ass time and I don’t plan on repeating it any time soon. I love the seclusion Aspen Ridge gives us, our tiny town where everything is practically within walking distance. There are no big box stores, no skyscrapers to block the natural views of the mountains. Our air is crisp and clean, and I wouldn’t want to live anywhere else.

Once we’ve been on the road and the sun has come up, I send a text to the sibling group chat letting them know I won’t be at work.

Me: Got something to take care of and won’t be in today. I set up my out of office reply, and left some things for Marcus to take care of.

Sawyer: Should we be concerned?

Liam: Did something drop we haven’t seen yet?

Me: No, just got some stuff that needs my attention

Kinsey: Lay off of him, he’s a big boy

Dallas: Big boy who needs his lil sis to come to his rescue

Kinsey: Dallas I will throat punch you so hard you’ll need to eat through a straw

Sawyer: Thatta girl

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