Not One For Love

Blinking stars go blind

Finn rubbed the back of his neck and glanced towards the man beside him. "Um, hey Rach." He waved, his arm limp, and straightened himself. He glanced again towards the man, and Rachel narrowed her eyes, remembering the day that she caught Finn on their bed, fucking another person. She crossed her arms over her chest and huffed. "Again, I ask. What are you doing here?"

Flinching, the lanky man ran his fingers through his hair. "Look, I know I shouldn't be showing my face here and stuff. Especially after you caught us..." He bit his lip and eyed the man who nodded at him as a sign of encouragement. "But I just want to apologize for what I did to you." He locked eyes with Rachel and for a split second, she was taken back to the time when she loved Finn. Once, but no longer.

"I need to get my stuff back." Finn continued, stepping closer slowly, so Rachel wouldn't back away. "And I know it's not much, but it's all I have. And Matthew—" He glanced at the man beside him again. "He wants to meet you." Finn ducked his head and smiled, the side of his cheek tilting up to make his laugh lines more prominent. "Or, you know. I can just come back. That's cool too."

Rachel gnawed on her bottom lip. It wouldn't take too long for Finn to retrieve his things—she already packed them in boxes. She stepped aside and allowed the two men in her home. She led them upstairs and into the guest room where no one slept in. That was where she stored the boxes, the remnants of her life with Finn. "It's all in there." Rachel told him.

Finn nodded. "I know." He smiled and stood there, looking at Rachel. She had no idea what was running through his brain, but the fact that Matthew, who Rachel assumed to be Finn's boyfriend, seemed like a good man. A great guy for Finn. He was well-dressed and a head shorter than him. He had a genuine smile, a deep voice, and a proud walk.

"I'll leave you two to it, then." Rachel said. Before Finn could say anything else, she stepped out of the guest room and into her bedroom. She locked the door, pressed her back against it, and stared at the beams of sunlight streaming across her neat bed. It felt so unfair to see Finn, happy with someone else, while she stood alone with an empty bed and an empty life, only nourished by the paid hours she was able to spend with Quinn.

She took a deep breath and summoned her mask of calm. She will not hide away. She will be strong in front of Finn and Matthew, maybe even offer them a snack. Exiting her bedroom, she stalked down the hallway and peered in through the crack of the door. Finn was sitting on the edge of the bed, his hand clasped in Matthew's. They were speaking in low murmurs, soft voices that were too private for Rachel's ears.

But before she could successfully slink away once more, Matthew turned and saw her by the doorway. "Hey, Rachel." He smiled easily and stepped back from Finn, yet their hands remained clasped. "Thanks for organizing Finn's stuff in boxes. Our place is small, so it's nice to not have to open the boxes we don't really need."

"It was nothing." Rachel said. "I was just wondering. Do you two want snacks?"

In the kitchen, Rachel was making a pot of coffee and heating a loaf of banana bread in the toaster. Finn was telling her about his new job in a grocery store. It was not high-paying, he said. But it gives him something to do while Puck finds them gigs in dingy bars or pubs where no one goes to for the live music. And it helps with the groceries since he could get them cheaper.

Rachel watched them while she prepared the coffee in the pot. This was not the Finn she was used to. He was lighter, happier, and he often took Matthew's hand in his as if he can't do much without him around. She was happy for him—for them. And it was a relief to not hate Finn anymore, even after being cheated on, when it meant that at least... One of them was happy and requited in love.

Ignoring the thoughts in her head, Rachel approached the table and served the coffee and the heady scent of the warm, newly-toasted loaf of banana bread. She sat with the two of them, listening in on their domestic conversation, until Matthew turned to her. "Finn and his band are having this gig in a few weeks. You should totally come. They've improved since the last time."