Page 90 of Rules in Love
“Don’t fuckingmateme. Are you or are you not sleeping with my sister?”
The butter knife hit the counter, and Evie spun to me, her eyes ablaze. “Yes, he is, and there is not a damn thing you can do about it. Like Nate said, you deserve to be happy. We all do.”
“Eww, this is…is…disgusting. You are practically related. She’s my sister, for fuck’s sake.”
Equally fired up by my outburst, Nate squared up and stood right in my face, “Yeah, and Shelby wasmysister.”
“Pfft,” I scoffed. “That is completely different.”
Not backing down, Nate jerked closer. “Oh really, and how is that different?”
“We were stupid kids who didn’t know any better, that’s how,” I spat. “You two are fucking adults—well, you’re supposed to be.” Evie jumped between us, and her hands fell onto Nate’s chest. Her tiny back may have faced me, but the heaving of her body betrayed her tears.
“That’s enough. Please, Nate. Let me handle this.”
“Handle what, Evie?” I snapped, “There is nothing to handle. You two cannot be a thing, and I forbid it, and Nathaniel is going home…today. I want you gone by the time I get back from work…mate.”
Hell hath no fury like my sister scorned. She spun on her heels to face me. I didn’t know if I’d ever seen her so angry, and that was a massive statement. “You forbid it?” she snarled, her whole body tight with rage. “Bloody hell, Finn. Who the hell do you think you are?”Even at the height of my rage, I was too scared to answer. I also didn’t have the chance, which was probably for the best. “You have absolutely no right to say that to me. I have dedicated my fucking life to you and Iris. I have been happy to do it, too, but I deserve to have something for myself. That something is Nate, so you bloody well better get used to it.” She then grabbed Nate by the scruff of his shirt, planted a massive wet kiss on his lips, and dragged him from the room, screaming at me as she did. “The people in your life are not your pens, Finn. You cannot organize, order, and control us to behave in a manner that suits you. This is my life and my house as much as it is yours. Nate stays. If you don’t like it, piss off!”
I didn’t like it. I didn’t like it one bit, so I did just as she said. I pissed off.
In my car, I turned off my phone and put the windows down, music blaring. It was freezing, but I didn’t care. I played death metal and screamed. I played Taylor Swift and cried, and when I stopped to get a burger, the lady at the drive-thru took pity on my woeful state and gave me extra fries and a box of cookies. “You look like you need it, love.”
The last twenty-four hours played on a loop through my mind. The dinner, flinching at Scar’s touch, the fight, the stoop, Evie, and Nate. I kept driving, hardly noticing a stop sign or landmark till I ended up by the beach on Long Island; the sand and sea drew me to it, just like it had always done at home in Byron.
I watched the families at play, singles walking their dogs, and couples walking hand in hand. It was cold and wet, but no one seemed to mind. They needed the water, sought its peacefulness. Maybe it helped them think too.
The people in your life are not your pens, Finn. You cannot organize, order, and control us to behave in a manner that suits you. You deserve to be happy. We all do.I heard Evie’s words again and again. They did deserve it. Perhaps I did too. Recognition of their truth came slowly and painfully. I watched the waves roll endlessly across the ocean. Trampled on each grain of sand. Smelled the yellow flowers thriving despite the cold, salty air and sharp rock bedding, and admired their beauty and determination. I wanted to smell, and see, and touch Scarlett.
But is that the real problem? Did it all start there?After all, I’d done what I knew I shouldn’t. I let myself fall in love and become distracted. Lost sight of my purpose. My plan.
How could Inot loveScarlett, though? The mere thought of her ruby lips, her eyes, and her skin could leave me hard as stone. I wanted her constantly, but it wasn’t just her physicality. Her heart was as pure as any I’d ever known, and she was so funny and witty, fierce, and determined. Strong and loyal.
After hours of sulking, I’d had enough of being alone. I’d been alone for too long, for too many years. Knowing a tsunami of shit was likely headed my way, I turned my phone back on. Missed calls, texts, WhatsApp, and IG messages filled the screen. Scar, Nate, Evie, and even Teddy had tried to reach me, and I honestly didn’t know where to start.
So, I didn’t. I ignored them all, turned my phone back off, and pulled out from the parking lot. There had to be a way to make things better, to make it right again.
I just had to figure out what it was.
Scarlett
“Knock, knock.”
Jan promptly switched from herFiremen of New Yorkscreento our office email and looked up from her desk. “Scarlett, hello. Come in, please.” Flushed and looking decidedly cagey, she began shuffling papers on her desk and fanning herself. “Sorry, I didn’t realize the door was open.”
“No need to apologize. I was looking at the same site yesterday.” I wasn’t. “I’m a big fan of Mr. December.”
“I’m an April Man myself. He can torch my tamales any day.” The fanning increased, and she refreshed herself with a sip of water. “What can I help you with?”
“I just wondered if you’ve heard from Finn today. His sister, Evie, can’t reach him, and neither can I.”
“Oh. Yes, Finn called and left a message early this morning. I can’t disclose why he’s not in, but he seemed fine. Just had an appointment.” Her glasses slid to the tip of her nose, and she made no move to correct them. “Is everything okay? Are you okay?”
Well, if going to bed sobbing after a fight with your boyfriend, then waking at three a.m. to find said boyfriend asleep on your porch is fine, then yes.
“Of course. Um, I think so. It’s been a stressful few days with all the changes here and at home, but yes. Yes, we’re good.”I think.
Offering me a seat, Jan stood and closed the door. “Finn mentioned earlier in the week that you two had revealed your little secrets to each other. Have you introduced the kids yet?”
