Reckless (Bastards of Grove Hill Book 1), page 20
"He changed sweet Francine's mind with a little cunnilingus," Nyla mutters when I don't respond.
I'm appalled by her crude remark. "Nyla!" I protest, but Sorcha seems to be holding back a laugh—amused instead of disgusted.
"It's true. You and Finn were pretty hot and heavy when I interrupted you at the beach. I could feel the sexual energy coming off you two from outside of the tent."
"She's his sister," I hiss at her.
"So? It's not like she doesn't know about her brother's... promiscuities," Nyla utters.
I let out a loud groan, but Sorcha's laughter stops me from delivering an apology.
"It's okay. I grew up around the Five Families. They're all crass and I'm very well aware of how much my brother gets around."
Okay. Ouch.
Why does it bother me so much that Finn has been with a bunch of girls before me? It shouldn't matter. All that should matter is that we're together, but it does matter.
It's because I'm a jealous, clingy bitch and I can't help feeling inferior to whoever he's taken to his bed.
"He definitely wormed his way into Francine's bed," Willow jokes before Sorcha's wide eyes move to me.
I told her that I never had sex with Duncan. She knows I shared my first time with her brother.
"Oh. My. God," she says with a massive grin across her face.
"It's not a big deal," I murmur before my inner voice pipes in.
Bullshit. That mind-blowing sex was a huge deal. So is Finn's dick, you little fibber.
"Yeah, it's never a big deal when you let the guy you're exclusive with pop your cherry," Nyla cracks fun at me before her and Willow laugh at my expense.
Sorcha pales momentarily before her eyes meet my embarrassed ones.
"You're… exclusive… with Finn?" Her words—tone and all—exhibit surprise but not disgust or anything negative. I was worried about her reaction, but it seems I don't have anything to worry about.
"Uh, yeah. We had a whole discussion about it officially this afternoon," I say as Sorcha pulls two bottles of beer out of the case. She hands me one before popping the top off hers.
"Oh my god! That's amazing!" Sorcha screeches before pulling me into a tight hug. The hug says everything I need to know. She accepts me as her brother's girl. "My brother has never been exclusive with anyone, like ever. You're practically my sister now."
I don't know what to say to that. Is it that big of a deal for her?
"Just don't tell Rian you guys are exclusive. He will flip his shit," Sorcha warns.
I roll my eyes. I don't give a shit what Rian thinks about me and Finn. It's none of his business what's going on with us.
We all chat and laugh together as we scarf down the pizza and Sorcha brings out the weed. We move to the kitchen table as Sorcha rolls up the first joint.
"If we get drug tested, we'll be kicked off the dance team," Willow says nervously.
"God, don't be such a killjoy. It's just pot!" Nyla protests.
"I smoke all the time, and I've never failed a drug test," Sorcha retorts as she pulls out her lighter.
"How?" Willow presses.
"Water pills. They flush everything out of your system. I wouldn't be able to handle Coach Hatcher without my little friend, Mary Jane. I would've gotten expelled by now."
I laugh. "I wish I had this before now. She makes me want to pull my hair out."
Coach Hatcher is a hardass at best, but I know she just wants our team to do well. She has the best intentions, but she could chill out every once in a while.
"Amen to that, sister," Sorcha says before lighting the joint. She takes a drag before handing it over to me.
"How about we play a little game?" Nyla suggests.
"What kind of game?" Willow asks as I take a drag off the joint. This hits differently than the one I smoked earlier, yet that one was laced, so I don't expect it to be the same. Still, it's relaxing as hell.
"How about Truth or Dare? It'll be fun."
I'm the only one who objects. I'm down for some dares, but I'm a little worried Nyla will ask me some strange questions about Finn in bed while Sorcha is right here. It still feels weird to me, even if she said she doesn't mind.
"Okay. I'll go first!" Willow raises her hand with excitement as she pours herself a shot of tequila. "Sorcha, truth or dare."
"Truth. I'm an open book."
"If you could, who would you want to roll around in bed with? Has to be someone you know and not a celebrity. Go," Willow pushes, and I catch how Sorcha's face pales.
"Um, pass. I'll take a shot."
We did not make that a rule and didn't Sorcha say she hates tequila?
"What happened to being an open book? You can't just pass!" Nyla exclaims, and I watch in silence as Sorcha groans, blushing a deep crimson.
"Fine. Um... his name is... Rian Walsh."
I choke on my tongue from what she said.
"Rian? As in Finn's best friend?" I gape at her, and she shrugs.
"He's hot. Have you seen him with his shirt off?" A shutter runs through her body before she grabs her beer bottle and takes a long drink of it.
"But he's an asshole!" I say, not understanding at all.
"So is Finn," Nyla pops off. "It's the assholes who always get you."
Well, that's true.
"My turn!" Nyla cheers as she grabs the bottle of tequila and pours herself a shot, while I hand the joint back to Sorcha. "Francine, Truth or Dare?"
I am not giving her the chance to embarrass me, so I say, "Dare."
Everyone cheers as I take a sip of my beer, completely cool.
"Okay. I dare you to… text Finn F-M-R-N." Seriously? That's it?
"F-M-R-N?"
Sorcha and Willow are snickering under their breath while Nyla gives me an evil smirk.
"Yup. Simple. Do it and your dare is over."
What kind of problems could it cause? It's just four letters. I don't even know what they mean.
I pull out my phone and shoot Finn a quick text.
Francine: FMRN
I wait for a minute to see if he responds. The first message he sends is a winking emoji. Then he sends another.
Finn: That depends. Are you still sore, babygirl?
Am I—
My brain short circuits as I shoot Nyla a glare. She sends me an evil smile.
"What the hell did I just send him?" I exclaim in panic.
"F-M-R-N. Fuck. Me. Right. Now," Nyla answers while Willow and Sorcha laugh their asses off.
"Nyla Moore, what the hell?"
"It was a dare, and it will be hilarious if he actually crashes in here all caveman and drags you upstairs. You know, you could thank me. You might get lucky again," Nyla jokes, batting her eyelashes like that will fix this.
"I've already gotten lucky more times today than my body can handle. I'm more swollen than a virgin with dwarfism who had a train run on her by an NFL team. My pussy is closed for business," I whine as a pain shoots through my core.
"Did you just use foul language?" Willow gapes at me.
"So what? Pussy, dick, fuck, damn," I mutter in frustration.
"You're the one who always screams language when someone cusses. When did you start cursing?" Nyla asks.
"Probably the first time my brother cave-manned her into his house. He's got the mouth of a sailor," Sorcha teases.
I laugh. "I told him the same thing the other day, and the bastard tried to deny it."
"Bullshit. I bet you anything the first words that ever came out of his mouth when he was a toddler was fuck this shit," Sorcha jokes.
Both of us fall against the table, cackling like a couple of hyenas.
I had a great time with the girls. It was amazing to get to know Sorcha better and to see how well we could all hang out together like normal teenage girls.
I'm a little worried about whatever Willow was going on about, wondering why she said it wasn't a good idea for me to give myself to Finn. What we have is great and I'm happy with it.
I don't need a label or a title. All I need is Finn and I have him.
I lay in bed as I stare at the texts between me and Finn. I never responded after he asked if I was still sore. Not sure if it's the alcohol or the marijuana, but the pain is almost non existent.
Francine: Very minimal soreness. My brain is a little fuzzy, though. Probably from all the alcohol.
It only takes a few moments for him to respond.
Finn: You've been drinking? How much have you had?
Francine: Lost count. Nyla brought a big bottle of tequila, and your sister brought a case of beer.
Finn: Are the girls still there?
Francine: No.
Finn: Your mom?
Francine: No. Late business meeting.
Finn: On my way.
What? I wasn't expecting that. I figured this conversation was leading toward a goodnight, but it seems that was the wrong assumption to make.
I lay in bed and cuddle my pillow as the ache between my legs builds up again.
Luckily, my period seems to have vanished as fast as it came. Maybe that's because of the sex? I'm not sure. It doesn't matter either way.
I let out a low groan as my stomach starts to feel sour and I worry I'm going to be sick.
"Francine!" I hear Finn downstairs as I make my way out of bed. The world starts spinning as I fall into the wall, groaning.
"Up here!" I yell back as I slowly put one foot in front of the other, trying to make my way to the bathroom. I inch closer to the bathroom as Finn makes his way up the stairs, concern in his icy blue eyes.
"Goddamn it," he curses as he moves to me and guides me toward the bathroom.
"I don't feel so good," I say as a disgusting bubble rises in my throat. A small burp leaves my lips and I groan.
"I see that. You look like you're going to puke your guts out," he growls, as he helps me into the bathroom. As soon as I pass the sink, I drop to my knees and puke into the toilet, hugging the bowl.
Bile rises and makes my stomach feel ten times worse.
Why the hell did I think tequila and pizza were a good idea?
"It's all right. I got you," Finn whispers as he pulls my hair away from my face, rubbing comforting circles along my back.
So much has happened today. It started with Finn reassuring me that he wasn't scared of me after everything with my uncle. We had incredible sex. He brought me home, and probably about the time he gets off work, he came here to take care of me—to deal with me puking up everything I've ingested.
"You don't need to be here," I say as I spit out more of the gross stomach acid.
He keeps rubbing my back as he says, "Yes, I do. When I say I want to take care of you, I mean it."
How the hell did I ever deserve someone who cares about me in such an intense way? Someone who wants to be my shoulder to cry on, who wants to hold my hair as I puke, and who wants to be here when they know I'm ridiculously drunk. Maybe I don't deserve him, but that's okay because Finn chose me and that's all that matters.
I rub circles on my sore bicep where they put the implant under my skin. It tingles really bad.
The doctor said to give it six hours to be in full affect, so I keep that in mind as I drive up to school, two hours late.
I slip my letterman for dance over my gray tank top as I grab my bag and walk inside.
The school is quiet as I bring my doctor's note to the front office and Principal Jordan gives me an eye roll when he sees me.
Yeah, keep walking, asshole.
"Principal Jordan, my mom says hi," I say to be a bit of a bitch, but I don't care. I want him to know that I know the reason behind his bias toward Finn.
He gives me a confused look. "Your mom?"
"Bethany. She said you went to high school together."
"Oh, right. Tell her I say hello," he replies, stonewalling any emotion behind it.
"Yeah, she told me a funny story about you and another guy you went to high school with. Nigel. Ring a bell?"
He pales and I give him my best gotcha smirk.
"Anyway, have a good day. I doubt you'll have any trouble from me or Finn in the future." I mildly lace my threat with a smile, but the message is received.
Stay the fuck off our case or everyone will know.
I walk out of the office and go straight to Economics before sitting in my normal seat. When Mrs. Marlin isn't paying attention, I pull out my phone and send Finn a quick text to let him know I made it to school.
He was uncertain about leaving me alone before my mom got home last night, but I didn't want to freak her out by thinking Finn and I had sex again before I got on birth control.
One freak out is enough for her.
Francine: In Economics. See you after class, Daddy.
Finn: Why are you late? You had me worried there, babygirl.
My heart flutters from his sweet words. I like that he's worried about me.
Francine: Doctor's appointment.
Finn: That all?
Francine: Yup.
I sent him a kissy face emoji before tucking my phone away in my pocket.
I'm getting bored listening to Mrs. Marlin drone on about math like her soul is slowly dying when Principal Jordan comes onto the intercom.
"Good morning, Grove Hill Gladiators!" Everyone in the room cheers as I stare down at my notebook blankly. "On Tuesday, everyone in the senior class voted on the court for Prom and we have tallied up the votes for your court nominees."
Is prom really that soon? It feels like it should be further away.
"In line for Prom Queen is... Gloria Santos, Alva Vargas, Julia Mason, and Francine Gray."
I freeze as my classmates cheer for me.
What? This makes no sense. I'm not one of the more popular girls in the senior class. It's insane for me to be voted for.
"In line for Prom King is Duncan Malloy."
A loud bellow of boos erupts through the room, which makes me laugh.
"Curtis Franklin, and... wait, is this right... it is? Well, the final nominee for Prom King is... Finnick O'Reilly."
I slam my hand over my mouth in shock at what Principal Jordan just said.
Finn was nominated for Prom King? Who the hell did this? I can just imagine the look on Finn's face. The idea of a grimace on his face makes it hard not to laugh.
Then, everyone in the class starts chanting Finn's name like he's Lebron James or something.
"Okay, okay. Everyone, settle down. We all know who you'll be voting for," Mrs. Marlin shouts over everyone as my phone vibrates.
Finn: I assume you're responsible for this?
Francine: Me? I was suspended. I was with you all day Tuesday.
Finn: Why do I not believe you?
Francine: Face it, handsome. Everyone in school loves you. No one is scared of you anymore.
Finn: Fuck.
I snicker under my breath. I know how much he hates people not seeing him as a bad guy.
Francine: It's okay, Daddy. I know how to make you feel better.
Finn: Oh, yeah? How are you gonna do that?
Francine: Simple. Me under you. Completely naked. Your cock inside me.
My face flushes from the words I choose to use. I know it will drive him crazy, just like how his dirty talk affects me. Just the thought of him inside me sends a shiver through my body.
Finn: How long until the class is over?
Finn: I need you so bad, babygirl.
It's sexy how Finn can grab me and make me do whatever he wants, how he's not afraid to go for what he wants, but what gets me even more wrapped around his fingers when he shows this flash of vulnerability. Telling me he needs me, even if it’s just sex. Saying he's right there with me, wants to take care of me, or how he'll hurt anyone who hurts me.
None of it is necessarily sexual, but the way it affects my body, definitely.
Francine: After school.
Finn: Not soon enough. If you make me wait too long, I'll just fuck you against the lockers and everyone will see me do it.
Finn: You've been giving me blue balls since we fucked.
Francine: Sounds like you have quite the addiction, Finnick.
Finn: I've been addicted to you for a while, babygirl. You're just now realizing it.
"Miss Gray, no cellphones in class!" Mrs. Marlin yells.
I reluctantly tuck my phone in my pocket before going back to listen to her lecture.
Nyla, Willow, Sorcha, and I sit down at a table in the cafeteria together. I halfway expect Ryleigh to join us like she does every day, but she doesn't even come to the cafeteria. It's beyond irritating that she's being like this.
We're talking and laughing as a group when Finn and his posse show up.
Finn yanks me out of my seat, takes my chair, then pulls me into his lap like any typical possessive alpha male.
"Hey! I was comfortable!" I pout, then he drags his teeth behind my ear in that ultra-sensitive spot. My pussy clenches in response.
"Are you comfortable now?" he growls as he palms me between my legs, under the table where no one can see what he's doing. He's testing to see if I'm sore anymore. Not at all. It feels so good the way he touches me.
"I could be," I whisper.
His thumb teases the shell of my clit through my lace panties, pressing more and more with each swipe of his thumb.
Oh, god. The way his hand feels is so fucking good. I need it just as badly as he does.
"Afternoon, ladies," Tiernan says as he takes a seat next to Willow, who sends him a flirtatious smile before going back to her salad. He frowns when she doesn't say anything.
Wow. He must've done something to piss her off. She's never this quiet and he notices.
"Hey, hey, hey," Nyla cheers as she smiles big. "Welcome to our humble abode," she teases as she sips her smoothie from the snack bar.
I try to close my thighs, so I can focus on the conversation, but Finn pries them back open, shoving a finger inside me.
I choke on my french fry at the sudden intrusion. My eyes widen, embarrassment swarming in my stomach.
