Chapter 17: Finn - Pisces

Finn knew he better not argue with Bay since the man could strike out quicker than a snake. He went to sit on the couch, and Bay joined him.

“I can’t believe you want to go home.” Bay tossed back the last of his drink and turned to face Finn. “All this time wanting to be close to me, and you’re still running. You’re not loyal. You’ve stayed away for years.”

“I had to live my life,” Finn said. “You were living yours. It’s not like we could ever really be together, as much as I would want that.”

“You still haven’t learned to trust me, to be my friend first, so that you might progress to be more. You’ve proven most difficult for me.”

“Are you kidding? I’m difficult?” He belted a laugh and then downed his drink.

“I know you wanted to push me out, Finn. You and Logan. You talked to Hannah at that funeral about me. I heard enough from his studio to know that. That’s the problem with you all. You’ve learned to fear this fucking killer, and you’ve forgotten to give me my due respect as your leader. Just like you live your lives, all coming around for one thing, my money, and only when it suits you. I think it’s time you all remember who is the boss.”

“You’re crazy if you think we’ve forgotten anything that happened all those years ago, or if you think any one of them is more loyal to you than me.”

“There you go, calling me crazy,” Bay said. “Well maybe, just maybe I should show you how fucking crazy I am and give you another fucking test of your loyalty.” He turned and took a pad and pencil from the box where he kept his coke, and then he jotted down an address.

“What’s that? Are you serious? I’ve done everything you’ve ever asked.”

“Here, take this. I have another job for you.”

Finn had done all he could do. “I carved up some poor screaming girl for you, and I did the whole Seth thing for you. Now you have another job?” It was never going to end.

Bay sat down beside him. “You did all of that for selfish reasons, and you know it. It wasn’t about me. It was about you and my money.”

“That’s bullshit. I didn’t get paid to carve up Emily.”

“You were paid with my loyalty and friendship, just like the rest of you. Every single fucking one of you owe me. You know it, and I know it. I’ve been the only one to offer support to you.”

“You had me earn it,” Finn said.

“Earn me, not my fucking money! Finally, for once and for all, earn me, Finn.” His leg brushed up against Finn’s, and he had the strong urge to lean in and capture Bay’s lips with his. He fought the urge, knowing that he didn’t want to force anything.

Finn thought he should at least hear him out. “What do I have to do?”

Bay tucked the paper into his shirt pocket and offered a sly grin. “Go there. Wait for my instruction.” Bay shrugged like it was nothing, but Finn knew better.

“Does this have to do with that woman?”

“Does it fucking matter?” Bay reached out and cupped Finn’s cheek. He stroked his face with his thumb, and Finn leaned into his hand, closing his eyes as he considered how much he loved the man. “Maybe all I’ve ever needed is for you to want me for me, Finn. Not for my power, not for my money, but for me. The kind of loyalty I get from Mia and Lila. You’ve seen them with me. Tell me you don’t want the same.”

Finn had envied the women, but he didn’t think he could fully give himself to Bay that way. To be his property, to be at his beck and call, it would take too much sacrifice. Much more than a fucking knife in some screaming girl’s back.

“I’m not sure; I think I should just go home.” The pressure was getting to him, and he didn’t want to make a decision that would haunt him for the rest of his life, especially when he’d do it for someone who would never really reciprocate his feelings.

“That’s how you want to be?” Bay stood and grabbed Finn by the arm. “Get the fuck out then. Go on. I’m done with your fucking movie, and I’m done with you.”

Bay had snapped so quickly, it was completely unexpected. He’d never gotten violent with Finn, and he’d certainly not upset him this way before. “I don’t want to fight, Bay.”

“Yeah, you don’t. So fucking leave, and forget you know me when you do. You’re dead to me, Finn. Dead. You said you fucking loved me, and I’ve sat here believing your fucking lies for this long, but never again.”

Finn couldn’t believe the things he was saying, and it scared him to think of not having Bay in his life, but another part of him wanted nothing more than to run while he could. He was so torn about what to do.

He pulled away from Bay and stumbled around the coffee table, trying to get away from him. “I’m sorry, Bay. I just need time.”

“That’s it, run. You’ll see who is in control, Finn. You’ll see that you fucking need me.”

Finn was so torn up that he hurried out, but he had no idea where he was going.

Once on the street, he felt like he could breathe and looked around, hoping that no one was watching him. Not the killer, not anyone. He was just about to hail a cab when his phone rang. He looked down at the screen and considered not answering Edie’s call. He considered ignoring her and putting his phone away, but he needed to get the woman off his ass. “This is a bad time, Edie!”

“I’m sorry. I was just hoping you’d tell me which hotel you’re in again. I think I’m at the wrong one.”

He thought he might have misunderstood her. “What are you saying? Are you here? In New York City?”

“Yes, I came to surprise you, but I got to the hotel you told me you were staying at, and the girl at the counter said there’s no one by your name in the hotel.”

“I checked out of there, Edie. I was just about to head home, but I was chased down and nearly mugged. It’s not safe here. You should have told me you were coming.”

“Are you all right?” Her voice was concerned.

“Fine, I’m just not expecting you.” He didn’t want his life in New York to collide with his life back home. He was like two different people.

“I’m sorry, but you said you had a few days left, and I wanted to tell you the good news in person.”

“Tell me now.” He had forgotten about her and her surprise and hoped it wasn’t something stupid that could have waited until they got home.

“No, sillykins. If I wanted to tell you on the phone, I’d have done that from California. I came to tell you in person.”

“Fine. Fuck!” He hated cursing because he knew how bad Edie hated it, but dammit, her timing sucked. He had wanted time alone to think about Bay, and now he’d have to worry about her safety, too. “Look, just stay at the hotel, book a room, and we’ll go up and stay the night.”

“Oh, I’d love that. I’ll wait for you in the lobby.”

“Sounds good.” He hung up the phone and hailed the taxi which brought him back to the hotel. He kept thinking of Bay the whole way there. Surely, he didn’t mean everything he’d said. The man was so difficult and always asking for so much. Finn knew he wouldn’t be where he was if it hadn’t been for Bay’s friendship all these years, and he knew he and Bay’s relationship was special in comparison to the others. How could it not be?

He got to the hotel and found Edie waiting in the lobby. She jumped from the sofa, clutching her handbag as she ran into his arms. “I’m so glad you’re okay. If I had only told you I was coming, maybe you wouldn’t have been assaulted.” She checked him over from head to toe, and he looked around, hoping no one was watching.

He patted her hands, if only to get them off of him. “I’m fine. Let’s book a room, and I’ll tell you all about it.” He gave her a quick peck, but she planted soft kisses all over his face until he pushed her away. “Baby, I’m sore and exhausted. Could you please just book the fucking room?”

Her eyes widened. “Oh, I’m sorry, potty mouth.” She frowned. “I’m just excited to see you.”

“I know, baby. I’m just in a bad mood.”

“Fine, any particular type of room? How about a room with a view or a nice big tub for the two of us?”

“Whatever you want. I really just want to get upstairs.” He walked with her to the front desk, and while she was talking with her usual chipper language to the attendant, Finn stepped back and waited.

He looked up in time to see Raven, who was only steps away, and she had her bag of toys that he loved so much. “Hey, sexy. I hope you remembered our date.” She leaned in and kissed his cheek, and he turned to see that Edie had finished at the desk and was standing wide-eyed as her lips peeled back in a scowl. As pleasant as she was normally, when she was pissed, she turned into a fucking viper.

“Who the hell is she?” Edie asked.

Raven turned her attention to Edie and her smile faded. “I’m Raven, and you are?” Finn had told her that he’d left his girlfriend back in California.

Finn was prepared to tell her the truth. “I can explain.”

“Relax, honey,” Raven said. “I’ll share if you like, and I’ll even go down on you first.”

“Go down!” Edie looked over at Finn, her face veiled with disgust. “You’ve been here this whole time, sleeping with this woman?”

Raven pulled her lips in tight and held up her hands. “Look, I’m sorry, Finn, but I don’t need this shit.”

Edie’s face was red with rage. “To think that I came here to tell you that I’m having your baby, and you’ve been having dirty sex with that snatch-eating harlot!”

“You’re what?” Finn reached out and grabbed her arm, if only to steady himself.

“That’s right, you piece of shit. I’m pregnant!”

“I am a piece of shit, Edie. I’m not worthy of you or a baby. I’m a horrible person, and I’ve done horrible things. You are right to hate me.”

“All this time has been a lie,” Edie said. She turned and reached down for her bag, but the bellboy who’d been listening grabbed it before he could, and like a true gentleman, took Edie by the arm and helped her to the elevator. Before the door closed, she scowled at him. “Don’t ever come near me again.”

The doors closed, and Finn turned to see that there was quite an audience. That was when the manager came over and asked him to leave.

He had nowhere to go and no one to turn to. He knew he had to give Edie time and hoped that she wouldn’t hate him forever. He couldn’t be a good father to their child even if he wanted to, so he wondered if staying away was the best thing. As he walked out of the hotel and onto the sidewalk, he looked around to figure out his next move, hoping the killer wasn’t already carefully planning theirs.

At least Edie and the baby would be safe away from him, and she could go back to California and live a happy life. What options did he have? His life was over, his career in filmmaking was going to have to wait, and he had to call Finkle and tell him that he’d no longer need his services, certain that the man would insist on keeping the deposit.

Bay had been right. Finn did need him.