Beautiful Burn (The Maddox Brothers, #4)(85)

Finley turned on her heels, waiting for me at the door with Marco.

I chewed on my thumbnail, gazing up at Tyler who was still in the driver seat. “It’s times like these I regret not being religious.”

“Should I come?” he asked. “At least let me help with your bags.”

I shook my head, defeated. “I don’t want you to see this.”

With worry in his eyes, Tyler waved to me, waiting until I reached the door before he backed away.

I led Finley and Marco upstairs, directing Marco to the sofa and Finley to my bedroom.

“This is gorgeous! I was worried what you would be able to afford on your wages, but this is exquisite! Well done, baby sister!”

“Well,” I said, watching her unpack as if she had lit herself on fire, “my boss gave me a great deal.”

“What is Tyler’s apartment like? Is it this nice?”

“No,” I said, shaking my head. “But it’s decent.”

“Then why not just move him here? And why haven’t you started packing yet?”

“We just decided over Christmas.”

“Thank God I’m here,” Finley said. “Marco can help you pack.”

“I’m really … I’m okay. Tyler will be over later. We were kind of going to do it together.”

“Don’t be silly….” Finley began, but she finally looked at me long enough to see what I knew she would. “What aren’t you telling me? Oh my hell, Ellie! Are you pregnant?” she screeched.

“What? No! I can barely take care of myself.” I left her for the kitchen, yanking open the fridge and popping the top of my favorite cheap beer.

“Ew, what the f*ck is that?” Finley asked.

“Beer,” I said, holding up the can. “Want some?” I asked, some of it still in my mouth.

“No. You’ve developed some atrocious habits Mother will definitely not be impressed with.”

“Well, I don’t plan on seeing her, so I’m good.”

“Ellie,” Finley began.

“I told them. They’re dead to me.”

“That’s harsh. They were only trying to help you.”

I finished the can and opened another.

Finley’s nose flared. “I can see it worked.”

I gripped the top of the open refrigerator door with one hand and held on to my can for dear life with the other. “Fin. I love you, but you can’t stay here. Find a hotel, go to the house, but I need you to go.”

Finley stared at me, stunned at first, and then heartbroken. “How did this happen? How did we grow so far apart? I feel like I’m standing in front of a stranger.”

“We can talk tomorrow, but I need to do this in small doses. At least at first. I have to start packing. I have a lot to do, and it’s not fair for you to just drop into my life right now.”

She nodded, gesturing to Marco. He packed up his things, and then rushed into my room to do the same for the few items she had unpacked on her own.

The wheels banged down each step as Marco pulled the rolling luggage down the stairs to the car. I hugged my sister, and she held on an extra second before turning for the door.

Once she grabbed the knob, she glanced back at me over her shoulder. “There’s something else. You’re trying to protect me from something. Don’t think I don’t see it.”

I closed my eyes. “Please leave, Fin.”

She bit her lip, and then disappeared behind the door.





CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR


The party was already in full swing when I stepped inside Taylor and Tyler’s apartment. I recognized a few faces—Jubal and who I assumed was his wife. Watts, Smitty, Taco, and Sugar from the fire station were there, too.

Tyler jogged up to me, offering a hug and a long kiss. “Wow. You look amazing. Stunning.”

“Thank you,” I said, looking down at the strappy, sequined romper and high heels Finley had let me borrow. “I’m sorry I’m late. I was messing with all of this,” I said, gesturing to my hair and makeup, “and then Finley called. She wants to talk to me tonight.”

“Uh oh,” Tyler said.

“She sounded happy, actually.”

“Oh. That’s good, right?”

“I think so,” I said, grabbing his arm when one heel wobbled.

The apartment was dimly lit, undecorated except for a single light in a corner casting a rainbow of tiny circles on the walls and ceiling. The speakers were booming what I recognized as music from Tyler’s playlist, and I wondered if the neighbors would call the police or let the thumping of the bass slide because it was New Year’s Eve.

“Not a bad way to bring in your birthday every year,” I yelled into Tyler’s ear.

“It’s like the whole world is partying with us!” he said, pulling me through the crowd by the hand to where Taylor stood with Falyn.

She was gorgeous; the sparkles in her ivory dress were reflecting the light from the corner, her full, blonde hair and freckles giving her the perfect balance of sex kitten and girl next door. I tried not to stare at her lips and recall that Tyler had tasted them once, even though there had been a time not so long ago that I wouldn’t have minded tasting them myself.