“Am I supposed to know you or something?” Chance frowns, and Finn’s eyes lock with mine, his gaze conveying a clear are you going to tell him or should I?
Bastard.
He couldn’t keep his distance and be a decent ex-boyfriend. Of course not. That’s just not Finn’s MO.
I swallow hard. “Chance, this is…”
So many answers to choose from. The boy who broke my heart? The boy who took my virginity on the floor of his library? The boy who walked out on me without so much as a phone call?
“Her ex,” Finn finishes for me and offers Chance his hand. “Nice to meet you.”
Chance’s eyes darken at the realization, and at first, I assume he’s jealous. Until he looks at me, flat-out ignoring Finn, and says, “Your ex, as in… the guy who let you drown?”
The reminder cuts me to the bones. I forgot I told Chance what happened. I’ve had a small scar on the top of my head since the accident, and when he asked me how I got it, I told him the truth. That I fell off a boat and drowned whilemy ex watched.
I don’t confirm or deny Chance’s suspicions, glancing at Finn, whose skin has become paler than snow in a fragment of a second. I thought his distress would be satisfying, but Finn looks like Chance just gutted him with words, and I almost feel sorry for him.
No, no, I don’t feel sorry for him.
Fuck him.
It takes Finn a few seconds to regain his composure and clear his throat.
“That’s me,” he admits.
I don’t know if I’m shocked by his honesty or impressed that he owned up to it.
Chance moves in front of me, nudging me behind him like he’s some sort of human shield. “You have some nerve coming back here after what you did. She almost died because of you.”
“I know that,” Finn says, his voice flat, but I see the agony in the backs of his eyes.
“Did you even apologize to her? You think you can just show up and introduce yourself like you didn’t let her die. What the fuck, man?” Chance takes a few threatening steps forward, and I cringe.
I appreciate Chance trying to stick up for me, but I don’t need him defending my honor. Especially not on the happiest night of Aveena’s life.
“Chance, come on, he’s not worth it.” I step between them, grabbing my boyfriend’s hand and tugging on it. He doesn’t move an inch. “Chance, let’s go.”
A sigh of relief escapes me when I manage to drag him away from Finn, barely avoiding disaster. I glance over my shoulder to see Finn right where we left him, watching us walk away.
“What an asshole. He didn’t even look sorry.” Chance fumes.
I let him spew hate for a few seconds and nod along. Truth is, I don’t have the energy to hate Finn right now. Just being in the same vicinity as him is mentally and emotionally exhausting to me.
“He was staring at you all night, but I figured he was just some rando with a crush. It all makes sense now. He wants you back.”
“How much have you had to drink?” I tease, but Chance doesn’t find it amusing in the slightest.
“I’m serious.”
I shrug. “Please, he just ran out of money and came back to leech off his friends.”
Images of him sleeping in his car return to my mind and reinforce my beliefs. He came back for himself. Not for me.
“Dia, I’m a guy. I know how we think, and this Finn motherfucker? He wants you.”
Maybe he’s right. Maybe Finn really did come back for me. Maybe he’s insane enough to think that I could ever forgive him. Either way, it doesn’t matter. Finn doesn’t matter. And I need Chance to know that.
Without a word, I wrap my arms around Chance’s neck and push to my tiptoes. I bring my mouth inches away from his and whisper, “Well, that’s too bad. Because I want you.”