Page 2 of Jax

They’re making no attempt at hiding the fact that they’re home. They’re probably hoping I’ll go away. I’d ring the doorbell again but that might infuriate Jax even more.

“Ha. No,” she answers.

Fuck it. I hit the doorbell again because I’m an impatient bitch. I’m here for a purpose, and if I don’t get back in time, Psycho will have my ass. Literally. As much as I hate bringing my shit to Jax and Finn’s door, it’s survival above all else. It always has been.

Plus, there’s the added bonus of breaking up whatever moment is going on inside.

The door yanks open in front of me. I’m not prepared for how much older Finn looks. The gasp I suppress has me curling my fingers into my thighs. His baby face features have withered away into a handsome, chiseled jaw. Once, he was like a brother to me, but I don’t see any sentimental memories in his eyes like the ones I’m guarding. No, he looks infuriated. “I’m here to talk to Jax,” I tell him.

Finn shakes his head. Over his left shoulder, a girl moves into view with a narrowed, inspecting gaze. I appraise her from head to toe but Finn’s first words to me in years bring my focus back to him. “You have a lot of nerve coming here, Sadie.”

Heavy thuds mark what I imagine is Jax wearing a hole in the living room floor from pacing. I swallow the apprehension that barrels up my throat. I promised Psycho I’d do this—not that I had a real choice—and I have to deliver. There’s no other option for me.

“Is he here?” I ask, ignoring Finn’s protective side. I always envied how much these brothers loved each other. As different as night and day but the same in all parts that matter. Their relationship made me ache for a real soldier at my side, someone to be there through everything. Someone who would stand by me even amidst all the shit I’d have to do to get by.

“What do you want?” Finn barks. “He’s not allowed to be within 500 feet of you, and this is our house.”

I lick my lips. I hadn’t actually thought of that. “Finny, I need to talk to him.”

“Finny?” the girl questions, popping her eyebrow and scowling at me.

I like her protectiveness over them but I pretend I don’t. She’s standing where I should be so it’s not that much of a stretch to pin her with my gaze. “Who’s this?” I ask, jutting my chin toward her.

Finn moves to block my view. “None of your business. It’s time for you to go.”

Talking to Finn is harder than I imagined. He was always just sogood. So pure and real. Jax and I helped so the world didn’t kick him in the teeth. Now, here I stand, basically doing what I protected him from. I’m now the snake in the bushes just waiting for him to pass by. “I know he’s here. I heard him.”

“Did it occur to you that he wouldn’t want to fucking talk to you? You ruined his life.”

Finn’s sharp tone fills me with pride. The fact that he’s using it on me, though, is another matter. My stomach churns. I knew I’d have to deal with guilt but I didn’t realize how debilitating it would be. I feel like I could throw up.

I suppress my emotions and lock my defenses into place. I am, after all, just a chick from the Flats now. “I hear he’s doing alright for himself, and so are you.”

“Unbelievable,” Finn sighs. “That’s why you’re here, isn’t it?” He opens up the storm door and pushes forward, making me take several steps back. “Just so we’re clear, there’s nothing here for you. There’s no money. There’s no time, and there certainly aren’t any heartfelt feelings. How dare you,” Finn growls as my foot searches for the first step off the porch. “You come here after all this time. Now that things are good? Where were you after you lied, huh? Where were you when my brother was sitting his ass in jail because of you?”

Accusing, fiery eyes stare back at me, and I gulp. Sweet little Finny, handing me my ass. I could’ve accepted Jax’s ire. I deserve all of it. But to hear Finny verbally tear me down, it’s too much. The fortress I’ve built around myself slips.

My voice takes on a much more pleading tone. “Finn, I need to talk to him.”

“No,” he snaps. “You’ve done enough.” He swallows, emotion getting the best of him. “He’s finally pulled his life together, and I can’t let you take him down again. If you don’t leave, I’ll call the cops and tell them you’re the one violating the protection order. It’s all recorded, Sadie,” he says, motioning over his shoulder toward the camera doorbell.

“I see that. Moving up, huh?”

“We’re living our lives, and I suggest you do the same. Somewhere else.”

His words cut deep. I hadn’t expected a parade or a party upon returning. Obviously. But I also didn’t expect the longing for who I was with them to swallow me whole. I have to keep reminding myself of what I did to understand his anger. “I can’t do that, Finn.” I wish I could. God, I wish I fucking could. Wishes don’t get you anywhere though. Darkness seeps into me, replacing all my fond memories, and I turn into the girl Psycho groomed. I peer behind Finn and his girlfriend. “Jax!” I call out. “I know you’re fucking in there!”

Finn steps closer and growls in my face. “Leave.”

“Come on, Jax,” I taunt. “I never pegged you as someone who would let your little brother fight your battles for you.”

“The fuck?” Finn’s girl protests. She marches out, her hands clasping her cell. She brings it up like it’s a weapon. “One phone call, and it’ll be like you never fucking existed. Don’t test me, bitch.”

Finn raises his brows at his girl. I knew I liked her. I wouldn’t have wanted anyone less for Finn but if she thinks a call to the cops will scare me, she’s wrong. I know way worse people. “That’s cute. Call your little 9-1-1 or whatever but—”

She laughs. It’s so maniacal that in another life, her and I could probably be besties. She opens her mouth but the man I’ve been waiting to see steps into the doorway.

Dear fucking lord in heaven. There isn’t another like him.

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