The Best of Us (Sullivan's Crossing #4)(23)

She shrugged but looked into his dark eyes.

He ran a knuckle along her jaw. “Are you trying to decide if you’re going to see me again?”

She shook her head. “I’m wondering how soon.”

He let out a relieved sigh and pulled her against him again, holding her. He whispered into her ear. “I’m thinking of putting the boys up for adoption...”







Since love grows within you, so beauty grows.
For love is the beauty of the soul.

—Augustine of Hippo



5


FINN HELD MAIA in his arms. A movie was playing on the television but neither of them was watching. They had planned to go out until Finn found out that both his dad and Sean would be gone for the evening. Breaks like that didn’t come along very often. Sean was at a friend’s house, probably getting in trouble. And his dad had a date with the doctor. When he asked Maia if she wanted to stay in, she agreed enthusiastically. The first thing they did was grab some quality time on his bed. They hadn’t planned it, but their kissing and petting led to the ultimate move. They made love. It was a little clumsy and awkward. And it was unbelievable.

Once they were successfully joined, it lasted about twenty seconds, but to Finn’s enormous relief, Maia was satisfied. He knew he would be. In fact, he was afraid he might be satisfied before it was even complete. Hell, he nearly came just thinking about her. But she was smiling and sighing.

“Okay?” he asked.

“I was ready apparently,” she said, smiling.

Maia was nervous about the prospect of Rob or Sean coming home unexpectedly so they dressed quickly and moved to the living room to watch a movie. Prom was in two weeks, graduation in four. And Finn couldn’t remember ever being this happy. The most beautiful girl in school loved him.

He kissed her forehead. “I love you,” he said.

She laughed a little. “I didn’t think you liked me that much. It sure took a long time to get your attention.”

“I’m trying to figure out how to go to NAU next fall. Or get you to Boulder. How long is the drive? I have a feeling I’m going to be on the road a lot.”

“It’s going to be a very long year,” she said. “If we’re still together after a while, maybe we can figure out how to go to the same school?”

“You getting bored with me?” Finn asked. “Because I’m not going anywhere. You’re going to have to dump me because, otherwise, I think you’re stuck with me.”

She started rubbing her temples with her fingertips.

“Want me to rub your shoulders? Neck?”

“I just have a headache again.”

“I think you’re supposed to use the headache as an excuse before sex, not after,” he said, adding a little chuckle. “Are you having a lot of headaches?”

“More than usual,” she said. “My mom made an appointment to get my eyes checked next week. Do you have aspirin or something?”

“Advil,” he said. “Want me to get you a couple?”

“I’ll do it,” she said, getting up. “Just tell me where.”

“Kitchen cupboard, over the oven.” He grabbed her hand as she started to walk away. “Hey,” he said, rubbing his thumb across the back of her hand. “Will you think I’m a total pig if I tell you I can’t wait until we can relax a little, get totally naked and hold on to each other all night?”

She smiled at him and said, “Then I’m a total pig, too.” And then she winced and her eyes reflected some pain.

“Let me get you the Advil,” he said, standing. “Just sit down and relax. Maybe it’s like a migraine or something.”

Her mouth hung open and she seemed frozen. Dazed.

“Hey, Maia...”

Her knees collapsed and she went down.

“Maia!”

Finn caught her and softened her fall. Her eyes were still open. She seized, then trembled, gurgling in the back of her throat. He felt her neck for a pulse, grabbed a pillow off the sofa for her head and ran for the phone. He dialed 911, kneeling at her side. When there was a connection he screamed into the phone. “My girlfriend! She passed out! I think she’s having some kind of seizure! Help! I need help!” Then he forced himself to calm down. “Please send some help!”

“On the way,” the dispatcher said. “Is she breathing?”

“I think so.”

“Can you roll her gently onto her left side, protect her head and see if you can detect breathing.”

“She’s making some noises,” he said. “She had a headache. Oh God, she’s not coming out of it!”

“Medical is on the way,” she repeated. “Is your door unlocked so they can get in?”

“I’ll get that,” he said, getting up and taking the short distance at a run. Then he was back at Maia’s side, terrified. He gently stroked her hair away from her face. “Unlocked,” he said.

“Is she still seizing?” the dispatcher asked.

“Trembling,” he said. “Shaking and jerking a little bit.”

“It may last a couple of minutes,” she said. “Stay calm and try to make sure she doesn’t hurt herself by hitting something. Don’t let her fall. Where is she?”