Misperception (Finnegan Brothers Book 3)

by Black, Morgan

  “Lena, this must be the new boyfriend. I'm Blake, Blake Finnegan.” I hadn’t even noticed him approach us. Blake was standing next to our table with his blonde idiot directly behind him. I thought for a moment that they must have met through Slade, and I wondered how he felt about that.

  Blake's hand was hanging in midair and Micah watched it carefully like it could be a weapon. After a moment he stood and put his napkin on the table, shaking Blake's hand vigorously. “Micah. You must be the old boyfriend.”

  Blake smiled devilishly. “You’ve got that right. You like books, like Lena does.” This time he looked at me. I tried to shoot daggers at him with my eyes. Harli stood behind him like a deer in the headlights. Clearly she was uncomfortable, and deep down I was glad. I hope this would ruin their little date, because they were killing mine.

  “Lena, have you met Harli? She and Slade used to work together.”

  I tried to smile. “Actually we've met. She told me all about her and Slade's relationship.” I tried to make relationship sound like more than it had been but it was clear that there were no secrets between the two of them.

  Harli decided this would be her opportune time to enter the conversation. “Nice to see you again, Lena, and it's nice to meet you, Micah. We were just heading out for some drinks—the food here is a little how do I say…” She dropped her voice to a whisper, “Not our taste? You two should join us.” Was she kidding? Or was she really that dumb?

  “Actually, I know the chef. The food here is exactly to our taste, so no thank you.” Micah was smooth but he couldn't take the edge out of his voice when speaking to them, and the awkward situation was getting heated.

  “Well you two have a wonderful evening. I'm sure I'll see you around, Lena.” Blake winked at me as he took Harli's hand and led her away. I saw her look over her shoulder at me one last time before they disappeared through the door.

  I was fuming. “How could she say such an awful thing about Allen like that? What a freaking idiot! I mean God just because this isn’t a hamburger doesn't mean that it’s not good food. Some people just have no taste. Ugh and what was she wearing? I mean this is a nice place. She had no class.” I crossed my arms.

  Micah wiped his mouth with his napkin. “Listen, I think we should skip dessert.”

  My jealousy had come out, and he had noticed. Shit. “No Micah, really I'm having such a great time.”

  “Yeah so was I. But it's time to say good night, Lena.”

  He paid our check and drove me home. And as many times as I try to put my hand on his leg or say something flirtatious he just blew me off. So finally I gave up. When he dropped me off at my door he gave me a quick kiss on the cheek and for the second time since I had been with Micah, I doubted that he would ever call again.

  “I'll call you tomorrow?”

  He nodded. “I look forward to it.”

  6

  I unlocked the door and made my way up to my bedroom but I was surprised to find Mackenzie sleeping in a little ball in my bed.

  “Mackenzie, what are you doing in here?”

  She turned over and stretched. “I was waiting for you.”

  I took off my coat and shoes. “Why?”

  “I talked to Mom. She definitely has a boyfriend. She's going to tell you when we get home.”

  I sat down on the edge the bed. “Oh.”

  She moved over to me and sat cross-legged and so that our bodies were just barely touching. “I wanted to tell you before I went to bed but I fell asleep. How was your date?”

  I rolled my eyes, “Shitty. Micah and I saw Blake and his new girlfriend at the restaurant. I don't know, when I saw her I just felt…”

  She finished my sentence for me, “Like burning her in the fiery depths of hell?”

  “Ha, something like that. Do I look that bad?”

  “No, you just look jealous.”

  I sighed. “Yeah. I know I shouldn't. I know that Micah is a great guy and I want to be with him, but there's just something about Blake. And seeing him with that skinny blonde bitch just made me want to throw something, preferably at her.”

  “Hey you leave us skinny blondes alone. It's not her fault that she's with him, it's your fault that you let him go.”

  Was that really the truth? Was I jealous of her because she had what I wanted?

  “You want to sleep in here with me tonight? It's a big bed.” Suddenly I felt very alone.

  Mackenzie smiled at me. “Well I'm already here. Are you okay?”

  I shrugged. “I will be. In the morning I've got to call Micah. I have to make this right.”

  She stroked the back of my hair. “What are you going to do after you call him?”

  I chewed on my lower lip. “I don't know Kenz, I don't know.”

  I hardly slept at all. I tossed and turned as I thought about Slade in rehab and my feelings for Blake, and Micah standing alone in the dark street. My heart was torn between all of these men for completely different reasons. By the time I had finally gotten some sleep my alarm went off at nine. Mackenzie was sleeping so soundly next to me, an alarm couldn't even wake her up. I quickly turned it off, grabbed my cell phone, and walked into our bathroom. I shut the door softly behind me and dialed Micah's number. This wasn't going to be easy, but it was the right thing to do. I thought we could meet for breakfast and talk. Maybe it would help me sort out my feelings.

  “Morning.” He sounded groggy, I wondered if I woke him up.

  “Micah, we need to meet.”

  I heard radio silence at the other end of the line. He knew what was coming. “Why are we meeting, Lena? You and I both know what's really going on here.”

  I put my head down in defeat. He was right. We both did know what was going on, I still had feelings for Blake Finnegan. I was screwed.

  “Listen Micah, I'm really sorry, but I just feel like I'm deceiving you if I let this go any further. I really thought I was over him, but I'm not.”

  I heard him sigh on the other end. “Yeah I figured that when we saw him at the restaurant. I couldn’t shake what you said about the girl. How you said nothing about his ridiculous behavior.”

  I started to cry, I felt so defeated. “I am so sorry. Really you have no idea how much I want you to be the guy for me, but my heart just isn't in it.”

  He paused. “I know. I wish you wanted me too, Lena, you’re an amazing girl. I hope that asshole realizes how good he has it. Being chased by a like girl like you is every man’s dream.”

  “Micah,” I started but he stopped me.

  “Bye, Lena. Have a nice summer.”

  The call ended. I sat down on the edge of the bathtub. I had just let go of the man that might be the best thing that ever happened to me. And I had no idea if Blake would want me. I held the phone in my hands and touched the gallery button. There, hidden among years of college memories, was a single picture of Blake and me. He had his arm around me and we were both smiling like fools. That was before I broke his heart. Before I slept with his brother. Before I ruined us.

  I went back to the home screen to his last text. I need you now.

  Now I needed him. I needed Blake Finnegan. I pressed call and waited as it rang.

  I took a deep breath waiting for him to answer and it hurt. My heart may be partially broken.

  “Hello?”

  My breath caught in my chest. It wasn’t Blake.

  It wasn’t fucking Blake.

  It was a girl. His girl.

  Fucking Harli.

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