Drowning

Chapter Twenty

I watched as Finn got out of bed and walked towards the door. I sat up and held the blanket to my bare chest. “Where are you going?” I asked him causing him to turn to look at me. He smiled.

“I was just going to clean up.” I nodded and watched as he left me to the quiet house. I rubbed my shoulders before I got out of bed to pull on one of Finn’s shirts to cover myself. I pulled my hair out of its bun and sat back down on the bed. “What’s wrong?” Finn asked as he sat next to me. I smiled at him and laid my head on his shoulder.

“Nothing. I was just thinking.” He looked at me and tucked a piece of my hair behind my ear.

“Did I do something wrong? Did I hurt you?” I shook my head taking his hand into mine messing with his fingers.

“It was great, I just, you know.” He pulled me to him cradling me in his arms making me giggle.

“No, I don’t know. Enlighten me, My Beauty.” He said smiling at me. I kissed him.

“Thank you for the amazing night, Finny.” I said curling up on his lap. I was exhausted and the stroking of his fingers on my back was making my eyes droop.

“Come on,” He said putting me on bed and curling his half naked body around me. I snuggled up against him. “Goodnight, Beautiful.” I smiled as he wrapped his arms around me.

“Goodnight.” I sighed falling into a peaceful darkness….

I woke up to the sound of screaming making me jump awake. I blinked as the screaming got louder. I got out of bed quickly walking out of the room to see Matty standing topless in a pull-up and shorts. He was screaming bloody murder. “Matty, what’s wrong?” I said as I dropped to my knees pulling him to me. “What’s wrong?” I rocked him as I heard running footsteps. Matty was screeching holding onto me.

“What the hell is going on?” Taylor said holding a pistol in his hands.

“Matty, calm down. It’s okay. I’m right here. No one is going to hurt you.” I clutched him close to me rocking him.

“What the-?” I looked over at the new voice. “I was sleeping. How the hell am I supposed sleep with this damn noise?” The voice yelled walking out of AJ’s room.

“Shut up, Conrad! You’re not helping the situation!” Finn yelled as I hummed to Matty another lullaby I knew.

“Well the situation is already pretty screwed up, Finnley! It is 3 o’clock in the damn morning!” He screamed back. Well this is lovely. A nice way to meet Finn’s brother. A screaming match at 3 in the morning.

“Both of you! Enough.” Taylor said walking up to me as Matty started to calm down. “What’s wrong?” He asked me as I stroked Matty’s hair and mumbled to him.

“He’s burning up.” I said lifting myself up off the ground, Matty clinging to me for dear life.

“Alright, give him here.” Taylor said handing his gun to Finn. I let him take Matty into his arms but it only made Matty start to scream again, this time even louder. He reached for me kicking his legs screeching again.

“It’s okay, it’s okay.” I said taking him back into my arms. I stroked his hair and hummed to him quietly making him stop screaming. “You’re okay baby. I’m right here. I’m not going anywhere.” I kissed his head.

“I have a bath running for him. Come put him in.” Bailey said as I stood up. “Conrad, get back to bed before you start fighting more with your brother.” I walked Matty to the bathroom taking the stuffed alligator out of his hands as I put him in the cold bath making him whimper.