Anything Goes on a Friday Night (30 page)

I laughed and shook my head. “I think we should just do what we came here to do. Swim, eat, and, most importantly, behave.”

He pouted for a second, and then a mischievous grin spread across his face.

“Finn?”

The grin grew bigger as he inched toward me.

“Finn!” I squealed when his arms lifted me over his shoulder, and he took off running with me into the water.

I came up sputtering muddy water and splashing Finn. We were both laughing so hard that all of the tension moments ago was gone.

The rest of the day was spent, eating, lying around listening to music, and talking about our senior year coming up. There would be college applications and life decisions. It would be scary if I didn’t have Finn. I didn’t have parents who really gave a shit. I mean, my dad and I discussed it, but he was usually too busy to have a serious conversation about it.

I knew one thing for sure, I’d either need to get scholarships or student loans. Neither of my parents were willing to pay for my college. My grandpa offered, though. Under one condition: I attend Stanford if they accepted me and leave Finn. Stanford was always my dream, but the chances of me getting in were slim. And if I did, I couldn’t leave Finn.

When I told Grandpa about Finn Kerr, he wasn’t happy. He didn’t think a smart girl like me should be so involved with a boy at my age. He wanted me to be an independent woman and find a guy later in life. As much as his offer meant to me, I wasn’t leaving Finn.
Ever.

F
INN WAS TAKING ME
to meet his real dad. I wished I could let him meet my mom and get to know my dad and Nancy more, but the harsh reality was that he never would. My mom was consumed with this new guy in jail and only called me when it was convenient for her. She didn’t deserve to meet Finn.

“You never really talk about your dad,” I said, looking out the window.

“Well, I’m just getting closer to him. He wasn’t around much when I was a kid, so it’s been hard figuring out how to work on a relationship with him again. But we’re figuring it out, and that’s all that matters.”

I smiled and looked at our hands that were clasped together, then at Finn. “Maybe me and my parents will figure shit out too one day.” I wasn’t hopeful though.

“You never know.”

Dinner with his dad was going really well. His dad was hilarious and down-to-earth. But most importantly, he was proud of who his son was becoming. I liked him.

“So, Elena, what are you plans after you graduate?”

I looked at Finn. He was my plans. Everything else fell second to him. Finn smiled and took a drink of the beer his dad let him have. His dad offered me one too, but I declined.

“College,” I answered respectfully. I’m sure he didn’t want to hear me oogle over his son.

“Good choice. What are you going to study?” When he smiled, I could see where Finn got his charm.

“I want to be a teacher.”

“What kind?” He leaned back in his recliner and rubbed his full belly. “There are a lot of different kinds of teachers. Music, Art, English to name a few.”

“Special Education, but I’ll have to get my Master’s for that. Which I plan on doing. I want to be certified in elementary education first.”

Finn put his arm around my shoulders. We were already sitting really close on the couch, enough to make me a little uncomfortable, since we were with his dad, but Finn wouldn’t let me move. I raised a brow at his arm, and he laughed at me.

“She’s smart, Dad. Like really smart. She’s going to be a great teacher.” Finn was beaming.

“Finn, you still plan on welding?”

“Yes, sir. Plan on owning my own shop. None of those plans have changed.”

They continued their conversation, but I stopped paying attention when my phone dinged.

Alyssa: What are you doing tonight?

Me: Can’t really talk right now. I’m hanging out at Finn’s dad’s. But we don’t have any plans yet. Why?

Alyssa: Party tonight at my house. Channing-free. I swear! You should bring him. I want to meet him! We all do!

Me: I’ll talk to him and see what he wants to do.

I put my phone away and looked apologetically at Finn and his dad. “Sorry, it was my friend.”

“No problem.” His dad smiled. He and Finn continued their conversation, and I listened to them talk about memories and Finn’s plans for welding. I’d ask Finn about the party later.

THE WHOLE WAY, I
kept asking Finn if he was sure that he wanted to come to the party tonight. After he told me for the millionth time he was, I stopped asking. Well, until now.

“Finn, you really don’t have to.”

He laughed and stopped at the red light. We were five minutes from Alyssa’s house.

“Ellie, stop being silly. Of course I want to go. I want to meet this other life you live when you come over here. Stop worrying that I won’t have fun.”

I chewed on my bottom lip as I directed him through the subdivision. We parked on the side of the road with all of the other vehicles and got out. It was so hot that my hair was sticking to my neck. As we walked in, I took the tie from my wrist and pulled my hair into a messy bun.

I saw Alyssa peek out of the large bay window and smiled. She immediately opened the door and came running out. Shit-faced-drunk. I laughed when her arms flung around me and Finn. When she pulled back, she pinched Finn’s cheeks, making him laugh.

“Aren’t you a handsome little fellow,” she slurred, giggling the entire time. She turned and made her way up the front-porch steps. “Come on in; the party’s just getting fun!”

We went in, and immediately I was bombarded. I introduced Finn to everyone, and then we followed Alyssa into the kitchen.

Holy-hell, look at all of the liquor.

Alyssa noticed me looking, and she laughed. “The only rule to attend this party was to raid your parents’ alcohol cabinet and not come empty-handed. Everyone’s parents are gonna be piiiissed.”

Finn laughed. “And we brought nothing.”

Alyssa shook her finger at him. “Don’t you worry, you gorgeous thing, you. I got you covered. That’s why I’m awesome, and Ellie loves me more than anyone else on this entire planet.”

I laughed and spotted pure grain alcohol and fruit punch. My eyes must have lit up because Finn took notice.

“What’s that look for? I swear your eyes just twinkled a little.”

I looked at Finn and shook my head. “It used to be my favorite mixed drink, but I’m good. No drinking for me tonight.”

He fixed me a drink anyway.

I stared into the red solo cup and shook it a little, watching the ice move around.

“Drink up, Ellie. I’ll be your DD. Have fun with your friends.”

“You sure?” I asked him, looking at my drink again.

“One hundred percent sure.”

I smiled and started sipping.

I CAME OUT OF
the bathroom, or rather stumbled out. I tried to play it cool, like I was completely fine, but I wasn’t. I was a step past buzzing but not yet completely wasted. I regained my balance and walked toward the living room where Finn was supposed to be. There were only a few people hanging out in there. I looked for him, but he wasn’t anywhere in the house. I could hear laughing and talking outside. I went out back and saw that they had a huge bonfire going. I spotted Finn adding more wood to the fire.

I made my way over to him and grabbed his arm when my legs started to feel like Jell-O.

“Hey, you. Sorry. Alyssa talked me into starting a fire. I figured you’d be fine since these are your people and all.” He laughed. “You’re drunk.”

“No, I’m buzzing. Hardcore.”

Music started playing, and everyone started dancing. Finn spun me around and caught me, so I wouldn’t fall or stumble into a tree. We were both laughing so hard and acting like fools. Everything was great, and everyone was having fun until
he
showed up.

Channing strutted his stupid self right through the crowd of people, took me by the hand, and out of Finn’s hold. He tried to kiss me, but I was able to squirm out of his hold and back into Finn’s arms. I could feel Finn’s entire body tense. I closed my eyes to try to stop my world from spinning. I felt Finn take a step, and I slapped my hand on his chest and held it there firmly.

“No! Let him! I’d love to see what this fuckup’s got!” Channing yelled.

“Finn, don’t!” I begged, but it was too late.

Finn and Channing were going at it, punching and hitting until they both ended up on the ground, rolling around like a pair of damn idiots. I was pissed. I was scared. I didn’t want either of them hurt. Not over me.

Two guys I had never met finally broke it up. One held Channing, and one held Finn. Blood was smeared over both of their faces and dirt and smut was all over their clothes. I felt my lip start to quiver. The tears were coming. I pushed through the crowd of people and into the house just as they poured from my eyes.

I went into the bathroom and slammed the door.

This night was supposed to be fun. Finn wasn’t supposed to get involved with Channing. That part of me was over and done, and I wanted Finn to have nothing to do with it! But of course, Channing had found me. Of course, he’d found out where I was and who I was with. I fucking hated small towns.

I heard a knock on the door.

“Go away.” I didn’t care who it was. I just needed to calm down.

“It’s me, Ellie.” Finn knocked again. And again. And again. “I’m not leaving until you let me in. I’ll stand here all night, and eventually Alyssa’s parents will come home. And guess what? I’m not even leaving then. Then Alyssa will get in trouble, and—”

I opened the door and glared at him. He smiled apologetically. I moved so he could come in. Once in, I shut the door and locked it again.

Channing had really fucked him up. His lip was bleeding, and the right side of his jaw was already starting to bruise.
How will he explain this to his mom and stepdad?
I sighed heavily and started looking through drawers for something to clean him up with.

After finding a wash cloth, I wet it with cool water and started cleaning up his face.