Page 98 of Unbidden

The song ends, and Tins and Finley stop dancing and make their way toward us. As soon as they’re within arm’s length, Reed reaches out and slaps Finley upside the head.

“Hey, what the hell, man?”

“Really? What the fuck was that?” Reed demands.

“It’s her birthday. Some asshole put on a song called ‘Birthday Sex’—I repeat, ‘Birthday Sex.’ So I dragged her onto the floor before anyone else could. Would you have preferred I let her stand there for anyone to come up to?” Finley challenges.

The whole time, I watch Tinsley’s face closely. Hurt consumes her, but she quickly masks it with an expression of indifference.

“Gee, thanks. Good to know it was a pity dance. Just what everyone wants to hear,” Tinsley spits out before stalking away.

“Way to go, you fucking idiots,” I say in disgust.

“Wait, Tins.” Finley sighs while taking a step toward her.

I grab him by the shoulder. “Yeah, how about you don’t, and you two stand here and think about how you just fucked that up?”

I stalk towards where Tinsley went, pulling out my phone and sending V a text.

Me- 9-1-1, Tins just took off.

V- You good or need backup?

Me- Up to you.

I shove my phone back into my pocket as I make the top of the stairs and head right for Tinsley’s door. I take a deep breath before knocking. “Hey, it's me. Can I come in?”

The door swings open, and as soon as I step in, it slams shut behind me.

“I can’t believe those assholes,” Tins fumes.

“Well, is it honestly that surprising?” I ask gently.

“I mean, I know they can be dicks to others, but they rarely are to me,” she rants while raking her hands through her hair in frustration.

“Look, even though I don’t agree with his methods, you know Reed was only trying to protect you. You’re his sister. He’s always going to be an ass to any guy who has his hands on you. It’s his MO. As for Finley?” I sigh. “I don’t get it, Tins. What am I missing? Do you have feelings for him?”

“Of course I do! I wouldn’t dance with just anybody to a song like that!” she practically screeches.

“But I don’t understand it, Tins. You see what I do, right? You know you don’t have to take every little crumb he throws your way. You deserve better than his attention for three-minute intervals,” I plead.

“I know I do.” She sighs. “It’s just… I want him, and for those three to four minutes, I’m the only one he sees.”

“Yeah, but then he moves on to someone else, and you have to watch him stick his tongue down her throat. How is that fair to you?”

Tinsley throws herself onto her bed and groans, “And I hate it! But I can’t stay away.” She sounds completely defeated.

“You deserve better than a guy who’s only willing to give you a few minutes at a time. You deserve a guy who’s willing to put you first.”

“Like you and Reed?”

I scoff. “Reed and I are complicated.”

Tinsley takes her time before speaking. “You’re right, I do deserve it all. But for the record, I think if you and Reed were on the same page, you guys could be relationship goals, just like Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds.”

“Really?” I ask skeptically.

“Really. The way Ryan looks at Blake is similar to how Reed looks at you.”

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