Songs for Cricket by Laine, E. (best books to read in your 20s TXT) 📗

words made me want to cheer at her fortitude and cringe at the idea of what it would cost me. I felt August’s glower boring into me.

Hastings stepped forward. “You don’t have to describe, but I need to know what would have caused the blood stains.”

Finley’s face turned red hot, but she sucked in a breath and told them.

“It was my first time. I was a virgin.”

I hated that she had to tell a room full of strangers something so private. Maybe her father was right. I was turning out to be the cancer he said I would be.

“You realize that if we test this against your DNA and it’s found not to be a match, I can charge you with obstruction of justice.”

Finley nodded.

“Do you want to amend your statement?”

She shook her head.

“Let him go. And Ms. Farrow,” he handed her a business card. “Call me in the morning. I’ll give you the details for the DNA sample. I’ll tell you both, don’t think about leaving town, or I’ll be forced to find you.”

Miller looked on the verge of exploding. “This is bullshit. We know the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree. He’s a little Richard Wyatt in the making.”

They knew. My mother had changed my name to her maiden one so that time would make people forget and not associate me with my dad.

Hastings held up a hand. “We don’t have probable cause.”

Finley stepped forward and deflected the mention of my father with her next question.

“You’re taking that?” she asked, pointing to the notebook sealed in a clear bag, not finished fighting on my behalf.

“It’s evidence for now. He will get a receipt for everything. If he’s cleared, he can have it all back,” Hastings offered.

I rubbed at my wrists after being set free, still not able to look in August’s direction.

“One more thing, Ms. Farrow. Did you and Mr. Connelly use protection?”

“Yes,” the redness crept back into her cheeks.

He nodded. “Where did you get it from?”

“He opened a new box from his drawer,” she answered with no hesitation.

He glanced at his partner, and then they left. When the front door closed, August stepped in front of Finley blocking my view.

“Are you crazy? I get protecting Shep any way we can, but they are going to find out the truth.”

In her silence, he whirled around to face me.

“Set her straight, Shep. I won’t let my sister go to jail because some crazy bitch is out to get you.” He glanced between us. “The whole condom thing was a guess, right? I mean where else do guys keep their stash.”

He was focused on me as I tried to come up with anything to say.

“I didn’t lie, August,” Finley said quietly.

His head whipped around to her. “What?”

“I love her,” I said. “I always have.”

“You fucking what?” In two quick strides he was in my face. “Take that shit back. You did not defile my sister. You would never do something like that to me.”

His utter belief in me cut to my core.

Finley moved to our side. “August, I love him too. And this isn’t about you. I made my choice, and you should respect that.”

I had one second to move as his fist came flying. He caught me in my jaw with his teeth-rattling right cross. I hadn’t had time to brace myself, so I stumbled back a few steps. He came at me, and I didn’t put up a fight. He had every right in the world to hate me.

Cooper caught him from behind as spittle flew from August’s mouth. His fury showed itself in his next sentence.

“You are dead to me,” were his parting words.

He shook out of his brother’s hold.

Finley moved to intercept him as he headed for the stairs.

“Don’t do this,” she implored.

He stopped, pivoted to face her and let out a cruel chuckle. “I’ve given you everything all my life. And you had to take my best friend from me too.”

He shot down the stairs like a lightning bolt. The slamming of the front door muted Finley’s anguish.

“You need to ice that. You’re going to have a bruise,” Cooper said with practicality.

It was time to deal with the other Farrow who showed his anger in other ways.

“You want to take a swing at me, too?” I asked.

Finley shifted as if to protect me. Cooper waved her off. “Go get your boyfriend something to ice his cheek.”

I nodded at her because Cooper probably wanted to chat in private.

Once she was gone, I said again, “Go ahead, and take a swing.”

He shook his head. “Why? I’ve been waiting for you two to figure shit out for a while. I’m surprised Auggie didn’t see it,” he said.

I almost let out an inappropriate laugh. August hated that nickname and probably would have thrown a punch at his brother in his current state of mind.

“You don’t have a problem with us being together?” I asked.

“No, I trust you more than some of the other assholes that have tried and failed. Give him time, and he’ll realize that too.” He paused. “I will say, she is my sister, and if you break her heart, I’ll be forced to engage.”

It was hard not to smile given the grin on his face, but I fought it anyway.

After he disappeared into his room, I let out the humorless chuckle because that was Cooper. For anyone who didn’t know him, they wouldn’t understand how dangerous his matter-of-fact threat really was.

Then I was left alone to wonder how long before the word spread that I was the son of a serial rapist turned murderer. Lacey would use that knowledge to destroy me.

27

finley

Everything was so messed up. I couldn’t have ever imagined the rift I’d caused between August and Shepard.

Shep and I hadn’t spoken much between icing his jaw, but really, what was there to say? I knew August would be mad at Shepard, but I really believed that I could smooth things over. Instead, for the first time ever, I truly believed my