Page 27 of Something Unforgettable

Xavier stood and strode toward the door, his hackles up. Who the hell was talking to his boy that way? Who even knew where Finn was, besides the sheriff?

He flipped the bolt and yanked open the door, just as Finn called out “Xavi, wait!”

On the other side was a slender young man with messy red hair and a labret piercing that highlighted his pouty lower lip. He was pale and disheveled, with dark circles under his eyes that didn’t disguise his good looks. He was wearing a leather jacket over what looked like an old tee, plaid pajama pants, and motorcycle boots. There was a ratty backpack over his shoulder. Xavier scanned him in an instant and—despite the scowl on his face—deemed him not a threat.

“And you are?”

The young man’s eyes narrowed. “I’m the guy who’s here to rescue my best friend.”

Xavier’s eyebrows went up. “That would make you Everett.”

Ev bared his teeth in a grin that bordered on feral. “If you know that much, then you know it’sEv.” He shoved past Xavier and into the room. Xavier let him, amusement bubbling up. As he closed the door he heard an excited shout and grabbed the back of Ev’s jacket before he could fling himself onto the bed and crush Finn.

“Stop,” he ordered, surprised when he was obeyed. “Watch out for his arm.”

Finn was sitting up against the headboard and had managed to pull on the discarded tee from that morning. Xavier relaxed his hold once he was sure Ev had gotten himself under control.

“E-Ev,” Finn stammered, eyes as big as dinner plates. “What are you doing here?Howare you here? Why?”

“Oh my god,” Ev gritted out. “Why do you think, you jerk? You were on the phone with me and all of a sudden there was screaming and a huge crash and then the line wentdead. I tried to call you back and it went straight to voicemail. I texted. I turned on location sharing. Nothing. I freaked the fuck out. I didn’t know who else to call so I got in the car and started driving. It took, like, two hours to realize I should have called the cops, and even when I did they wouldn’t tell me anything. I drove all night.”

“Holy shit,” Finn gasped. “I’m so sorry. It was all so crazy and then we were at the hospital and my phone was smashed to bits and I completely forgot I was talking to you.” He reached for Ev, who sort of collapsed on the mattress next to him, dragging Finn into a desperate hug. They clung to each other, both whispering what sounded like emotional apologies in each other’s ears. Finn for not calling back and Ev for not thinking to call the police sooner.

When they broke apart, both boys were sniffling and wiping at their eyes. Xavier retrieved a box of tissues that he set between them and two bottles of water that he cracked the seals on before handing over. Finn thanked him and Ev raised the bottle in a mock toast in his direction before downing half of it in one motion. Finn’s best friend was something of a brat, apparently. Not at all what Xavier expected.

“How did you find us?” he asked, curious. The number of people who knew where to look was small, and Ev probably didn’t know any of them.

Ev leaned into Finn’s side as he eyed Xavier up and down, then turned his attention back to Finn. “I went to the store first, but it was locked and the sign still said ‘closed.’ Then I tried the hospital, but they wouldn’t tell me anything since I’m not family.”

Finn winced at that and rested his head on Ev’s shoulder.

Ev laced their fingers together on top of the blankets and sucked in a shaky breath, clearly more upset than he was letting on.

“I got lucky. There was a cop coming out of one of the rooms who said he knew you. He tried to call your man, but it went to voicemail. I managed to convince him to tell me where you were.”

Xavier stepped over to his phone where it was plugged in on the nightstand. He had a few missed calls that were business related and one from an unknown number. There was a text as well.

Paul Avery

Fiery redhead coming your way. Might want to answer the door before he kicks it down. ;)

Xavier paused at the winky-face emoji. Micah and his father were a lot alike. He looked back at the boys. Finn looked tired but Ev looked exhausted.

“It’s what? A twelve-hour drive from Chicago?”

“Eleven,” Ev said dully. “But I may have made it in nine and a half.”

Xavier frowned. Poor kid must have been scared to death. And he obviously hadn’t stopped to rest or eat. “Why don’t the two of you take a quick nap. I’ll go grab us lunch.”

Ev rolled his eyes. “I don’t need a—” He cut himself off with a yawn and Finn giggled.

“Suuure you don’t.” Finn pulled away from his friend then sank down under the blankets.

Ev huffed, but caved and did the same, snuggling up next to Finn. He reached out to hug him, then paused, a wicked grin curling his lips. “Finny, are younakedunder there?”

Finn made a choked sound, his eyes going wide as he flushed the color of Ev’s hair.

Ev started laughing. “It’s about damn time!” He rolled away and out of bed. “I’m gonna borrow your bathroom while you find some pants. I’m not sleeping with you if you’re naked.” He paused next to Xavier, offering his palm for a high five. “Way to go, man.”

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