Finn (5 page)

“So while I’ve been learning about starching socks and making pies, did I miss anything?” I shoot my dad another deadly glare, which does nothing.

“I hear you have a mutt for me,” Robbie says, kissing Ember’s forehead. “Guess we’ll be by to visit on Tuesday.”

“Really?” I ignore his comment about Blade being a mutt. Once Simon joined the Marines, I learned these men aren’t always politically correct.

“Yes!” Ember bounces on her feet. “We ended up telling Robbie about Blade once he questioned how Finn and I knew you. When I explained how we met, he agreed to come see Blade for himself.”

“That’s terrific!” Blade is my first Warrior dog, and I know from these brief meetings he will be perfect for Robbie and Ember.

“I’ve started the application process already. Once Finn approved my idea, it was pretty much a done deal,” she tells me.

“Damn, Finn. If I knew any better, I’d think he was trying to steal my wife,” Robbie huffs.

Everyone laughs at his statement, including Ember, who starts to blush.

“He’s such a good dog.” I fill them in on his training and start to ramble about his incredible obedience. When I’m done, Robbie sighs loudly and hangs his head.

“You’ve sold me without even meeting him. Why did you name him Blade?”

“His handler named him that because he’s sharp as a razor blade. He picks up everything without a problem. But Razor wasn’t a cool name.”

“I agree, Blade is perfect.” Ember nods enthusiastically.

“My sister’s brought Blade around a few times, and he’s a cool dog. Even good with kids. Winnie loves him,” Johnny informs them.

No one can miss the look Robbie gives Ember, and her face heats up again. There are a few chuckles from the other guys, and she hangs her head but can’t hide her smile. Oh yeah, this guy is head over heels for her.

“Presley,” Dad cuts in. “Robbie, Max, and Finn were sharing stories about Simon with us. Do you remember that ‘yellow brick’ joke he always insisted on telling, forever changing the lines?”

I smile at the memory.

“Apparently, he drove the guys crazy with it for weeks. Always coming at them when they least expected it.” Dad grins knowingly.

“At least it was a cute joke!” I’m the one who told Simon the joke when I was ten. It was a terrible joke, and he made fun of me constantly, but knowing he told this to a group of Marines fills my heart with warmth.

“Seriously, we were in a training drill. Real life situations… running through a forest at night. Trying to decipher enemy fire from friendly.” Finn speaks, and my heart starts racing. “And out of nowhere, Simon yells, ‘Black, watch out!’ I turn, expecting to see a mark on my back. But instead, he stops running and says, ‘The yellow brick just fell at your feet!’”

I can’t stop the giggle that comes out. Before I know it, I’m doubled over cackling at the ridiculous joke Simon and I shared for so long. Happy tears run down my cheeks for the first time in a long week. Pretty soon, everyone in our small group is howling at my brother’s stupid timing.

Winnie runs over to see what’s so funny, and I try to speak but can’t form a complete sentence. She starts dancing in a circle, singing the only thing she heard.

“Yellow brick, yellow brick…”

Then all five younger kids join her, and I’m gasping for breath. When I look up, Finn’s eyes are shining bright with his own amusement. Johnny snatches Winnie into his arms and tousles her back and forth.

Without even knowing it, Finn Black gave me the best present ever. And in doing it, he helped soothe the pain of today with laughter.

Finn

O
ne hour, that’s how long until I see her again. I look at my watch and then open the email of the new schedule James sent to the employees. My name is on a few lines for general security duties, concerts, festivals, and one high profile charity event.

Nothing is a surprise, considering I sign up for the things that fit with my school schedule. But the one thing that bothers me is the Saturday night charity event. I wanted to ask Presley to dinner next Saturday night.

Since leaving her house after Simon’s service, she’s been on my mind. While she may not have noticed, I watched her closely the minute she and her brother walked into the room. She was immediately scooped up by her family, but I kept an eye on her.

I’ve never loved Ember more when she kept asking Presley’s dad, Jeff, if Presley was okay. Finally, Robbie caught on and asked about their relationship, and we had to admit to looking at the dog and meeting her at the park. The second that happened, something in the air changed.

Max and Robbie looked at me with a hard stare, while Tripp blew out a deep breath. I tried to ignore them, but when Presley rushed out of the house and straight to Winnie, my body tensed. My eyes locked on her as she hugged her niece and started tickling her in an understandable ploy to escape the women inside.

When Max and Tripp hugged her in greeting, it was an apparent test to see my reaction. A test I failed. I swallowed hard to control the rumble in my throat, but Max gave me a cocky grin and shake of the head. It was a gesture I knew well, seeing as I had given the same one to Robbie, Gabe, and Jimi in the last few years.

“You ready, man?” Robbie asks from the doorway of the office I share with another guy.

“You driving?” I lock down my computer and grab my things.

“Let’s walk. Ember’s meeting us there. She’s so fucking giddy about this dog. Hope to God we get him.”

“I have no doubt it’ll work out. Something tells me you’ve already made sure Blade will be yours.”

He cracks a smile, and I have my answer. It’s only a matter of time before Blade will have a new home, and Robbie and Ember will be proud parents to a German Shepherd Warrior dog.

When we get to the park, Ember is waiting at the gazebo and bouncing on her toes. Robbie pulls her to him and crushes his mouth to hers. She whimpers slightly, gripping his biceps. This is not a ‘hey, babe’ kiss. It’s more of a statement of ‘mine’. Sometimes, I wonder how these two even leave the house.

I stand back and focus on the dogs running in the distance, specifically searching for the one woman who has filled my thoughts for days. There are a few breathless whispers, and I know it’s safe to look back when Ember gives me a quick hug.

“Let’s go.” She grabs both our hands and drags us along, her excitement growing with each step.

We stop outside the roped off area and watch a few minutes until Ember screeches and starts waving wildly. Presley waves back then tosses her Frisbee our way, and Blade takes off, chasing it. He catches it mid-air about twenty feet from us, and Ember immediately starts clapping. The dog turns to her and looks back and forth between Ember and Presley, clearly torn on what he should do. Instead of making a decision, he sits on his hind legs and wags his tail, waiting for someone to instruct him.

When Presley gets to his side, she motions for us to join her. Once Ember is close, Presley pats his head and he bolts, running toward us. He stops short of our trio and heels again.

Ember crouches, and he goes straight to her outstretched hands. She starts rubbing his head and neck eagerly, and he nuzzles his head into her chest, enjoying the attention.

“Jesus, this may be the fucking worst idea ever,” Robbie mutters. “Am I going to have to compete with a fucking mutt for my wife?”

I chuckle at the same time Presley giggles. We lock eyes, and she winks at me then falls to her knees next to them.

Blade loses some of his formality and rolls over for them to pat his stomach and wiggles on the grass. I look at Robbie, who is watching with a scowl, but he doesn’t fool anyone. The second Ember coos again, he bends over and runs his hand over the dog’s face gently. At his touch, Blade immediately stops moving and rolls into Robbie.

Ember inhales loudly, and we all go silent watching the dog lean in and paw at Robbie’s hand. He’s a pretty good size, but his motion is gentle, seeking approval.

“Well, fuck me walking,” Robbie says and goes down all the way to face level. Blade immediately starts to pant and wag again.

“Looks like he likes you.” Presley’s sweet voice fills the small space as she stands.

We both watch Robbie and Ember silently as they bond with Blade. There’s a light breeze, and the scent of cherries and vanilla fills the air. I glance at Presley, who slides her eyes to me at the same time. Her lips tip slightly. My heart skips a beat, and I realize I haven’t said a word since we walked up.

“Presley.” I edge closer.

“Hey, Finn,” she says softly.

“How are you?”

She searches my face then looks at the ground for a second before responding. “I’m okay. Each day is a new day. We’re all coping well. It’s important to keep up a positive environment for Winnie. But I can honestly say I’ve been looking forward to today.”

“So have I.”

“I’m sure you were excited to see Blade and Robbie meet. This is a big decision for them.” She bites her lip and looks at me shyly.

“Their dog, their life. Blade’s not the reason I’m here.”

Her eyes grow wide. “He’s not?”

“Not one bit. I came to see you.”

Her cheeks start to flush, and my chest tightens at the sight. She’s so fucking adorable, and the look on her face does something to me. The instant she nibbles on her bottom lip, my cock starts to strain against my pants. Our eyes stay trapped, blocking out all the activity around us. There’s a brief flash before her pupils turn a deeper green. I literally have to force my arms to stay crossed, so I don’t reach out and run my thumb over the lip she keeps working between her teeth. She finally releases it and gives me her trademark blinding smile.

My mouth goes dry, and I swallow hard to try to find my voice.

“Presley?” Ember calls, and the moment’s lost when Presley looks away.

“Yes?”

“What do we do next?”

Presley walks back to where they are sitting, and I catch Robbie examining me. He looks between Presley and me then shakes his head with a smug grin. I give him a glare that would scare most men, but he laughs, enjoying my irritation.

The girls are oblivious to our exchange and continue discussing the next steps to adoption.

“So we can possibly adopt him on Friday?”

“I think so. Usually, it’s a longer vetting process, but the volunteer coordinator told me today your application had been fast-tracked.” Presley looks directly at Robbie with a smirk. “You know anything about that?”

Robbie fakes ignorance and raises his hands in denial.

“Oh my God! You didn’t!” Ember throws her arms around Robbie’s neck, causing him to fall back and take her with him. Blade recognizes her squeals are happiness and lays down beside them, rolling on his back, feet in the air, and turns his snout into them.

“Babe, you wanted him. No way I’d ever tell you no. I made a few calls.”

“My husband and father-in-law have a way of making things happen,” Ember explains to Presley.

“Good to know.”

“Little Star, as much as I love it when you’re on top of me, I have to go back to work. You’ve got me pinned down in the grass.”

Ember scrambles up, and her face is a soft shade of red. “I can’t believe you said that,” she mumbles.

“Not like it’s a secret.” I push to embarrass her further because it’s so easy to get under her skin.

“Stop. Presley’s going to think we’re nuts.”

“Not at all. Remember, I grew up in a house of men.” Presley picks up the Frisbee and motions for Blade. “Besides, I think showing affection and love is beautiful.”

I don’t miss the sadness in her voice.

“So, we’ll see you at the office this afternoon to finish the paperwork?”

“We’ll be there. Then we’re going to order a fence for Robbie, Finn, and any other volunteers to put up immediately. I want Blade to have the whole backyard to roam and play without worrying about him.”

“What?!?” Robbie and I choke out at the same time, snapping our heads to her.

“I want a fence,” she states matter-of-factly.

“Babe, I’d do almost anything in the world for you, but putting up a fence in June is even testing my limits,” I tell her.

She narrows her eyes at me then whispers something in Robbie’s ear. His mouth splits into a wide grin, and when he looks at me, I sigh loudly.

“Shit.” Looks like I’ll be sweating my ass off installing a fence.

“Ember’s going to take me back to the office. You want a ride?” Robbie asks me.

“I’ll walk.”

They say goodbye to Blade, with Ember kissing all over him until Robbie forces her back. She hugs Presley and promises to see her later, and they walk off hand in hand, pressed close.

“They’re a cute couple,” Presley observes.

“You have no idea. They’re perfect for each other.”

“You all seem close.”

“We are. There’s a few of us that grew up together. Robbie, Max, and I enlisted in the Marines together. All in all, our group is pretty big, but everyone’s lives have started to settle down.”

“Really? How so?” She throws the Frisbee, and Blade races to catch it then trots back to us.

“Few guys have gotten married or engaged. Robbie’s sister had twins earlier in the year, which now adds babies to the mix.”

“Wow! Twins? That’s got to be a lot of work.”

“They’ve got a big family, lots of siblings.”

“I remember Winnie being an infant. It’s a ton of responsibility.”

“Yeah, but they can handle it.” I don’t tell her that Raven, Robbie’s sister, is also married to a rock and roll superstar with more money than they can ever spend, and he’ll make sure she has whatever she needs to be happy and take care of those babies.

Slowly, we migrate back to the populated area where the dogs play. The conversation is light as she asks about me. I briefly explain my relationship with the Hayes family and that I work as a Security Specialist while in school. I don’t miss the relief on her face when I mention I’m no longer an active Marine. It’s on the tip of my tongue to question it, but I hold back.

“Security Specialist sounds like an exceptional position. I bet you see a lot of clandestine information.”