Page 71 of A Little Secret
“You ever hear Reeves say he doesn’t like the miscommunication trope?” I demand.
A divot forms between her brows. “What?”
“The miscommunication trope.”
“I know what it is,” she defends. “Although, I’m surprised you do. You’re not usually one to read.”
“I think I can understand basic English, Fin.”
“Fine,” she huffs. “What’s your point?”
“My point is, I think Reeves might be onto something because this?” I wag my finger between us. “This miscommunication bullshit is driving me insane.”
“Who says there’s a miscommunication?”
“Stop being a smartass for once, Fin.” I reach up and brush her hair behind her ear, my gaze falling to her lips as regret and confusion swirl through my veins. “Why didn’t you let me kiss you?”
A flicker of…something, flashes in her gray eyes before her tongue darts out and wets her bottom lip. “Because you’re my brother’s best friend.”
“I’ve been your brother’s best friend since you were born,” I remind her. “And we’ve kissed plenty of times during games, not to mention you beingveryinterested in kissing me when we were at the hotel.” I dip closer, caught between rage and lust as I stare down at her. So fucking perfect. So fucking infuriating. “Try again.”
“I’m done having this conversation.” She moves to the left, but I grab her bicep, keeping her in place.
“Like I said,” I growl. “Not a fan of the miscommunication trope.”
“Pretty sure this would be classified as lack of communication, not miscommunication,” she argues.
My hand itches to smack her ass, but I fight the urge, fisting it instead. “Guess I’m not a fan of either of them, then. Regardless, after everything these past two weeks, I think I deserve some clarification, don’t you?”
Sucking her lips between her teeth, she stays quiet but doesn’t try to dodge me again, so I loosen my grasp on her arm, dragging my fingers to her wrist, then letting her go. “Why didn’t you let me kiss you, Fin?”
The same familiar flicker of emotion and indecision hits her gaze before she whispers, “I don’t…I don’t want you to ruin your life.” It’s so quiet I’m surprised I even hear her. Hell, maybe I didn’t, and I only read her lips. Maybe I only read her mind.
“Who says you’re ruining my life?” I murmur.
“Well, let’s see.” She stands a little taller and lifts herchin, locking up the glimpse she’d given me of her vulnerability and leaving me aching for more. “Off the top of my head, what if this doesn’t work out, Griff? Hmm? I’m not stupid, okay? I know there’s been a pull between us for years, and neither of us has ever acted on it. Not really. And then I was sad, and you were there, and I kissed you, and yes, it was amazing, but you’re still my brother’s best friend.”
“So?” I push.
She cocks her head. “You really wanna talk about this?”
“Yeah, I really do,” I snap. I feel like I’m on a fucking carousel and we’re going round and round in circles like we always do. And I’m tired. So fucking tired of this game. But not enough to get off the ride. To let go of her. Not yet. “Talk to me, Finley.”
“Fine,” she seethes.
She pushes away from the counter, but I stand my ground, refusing to give her an inch, let alone the space she thinks she wants.
When our chests touch, she steps back again, leaning against the counter as she glares up at me.
“Not so used to me standing my ground, are you, Fin.” It isn’t a question.
“I think we can both agree that we’ve never crossed the line because whether or not we actually had the conversation, we both knew if things went south, your friendship with Everett would never be the same, and that is the last thing I want. That’s why you were smart to end the kiss at the hotel, and that’s why I gave you the cheek on New Year’s.”
“Because you don’t want to risk my friendship with Ev.”
“Exactly.”
I lift my shoulder. “Maybe I think you’re worth the risk, Fin.”