Page 40 of Something Unforgettable

“Just be careful with him, okay?” Ev asked. “He’s gone through some stuff and I—I think you’re good for him. I just worry.” He darted in and also gave Xavier a hard squeeze before entering the cottage. “Finny! You look well fucked.”

“Oh my god, Ev.” There was a thump and then laughter. When Xavier got inside there was a pillow on the floor and all three boys were cross-legged on the bed with their coffees and pastries.

Xavier followed the smell of rich, dark coffee over to the table and found the drink with his name on it. “Thank you for getting this, Ev.”

“No problem. There’s a croissant in the bag, too. The guy at the bakery said you come in a lot and that’s what you always get.”

Xavier was impressed by Ev’s thoughtfulness. It was clear the longer he was around him why Ev and Finn were so close. Despite his exuberant personality, Ev was a thoughtful boy who cared deeply about others. Xavier wondered who, if anyone, was taking care of him back in Chicago.

The boys had finished their breakfast and were discussing plans for the day when Asher’s name popped up on Xavier’s phone. Xavier checked the time. It was only five a.m. on the West Coast. He stood and stepped toward the door as he answered.

“What happened?”

“We need you in LA,” Asher said, not beating around the bush. “Remy Dalton was just outed by TMZ.”

Shit.Shit.“All right. I can be in the air in two hours. Where is he now?” This had always been a possibility—it was the reason Dalton had retained their agency in the first place—but they’d had a plan that was now shot to shit. How had this happened?

“We don’t know. No one’s been able to get in touch with him. Gabriel is using his connections to get the other outlets to hold off for as long as possible. We assumed you’d want Remy to put out a statement.Page Sixin particular is champing at the bit, but my friend over there says they’ll wait if it means they can have an exclusive quote to go with the article.”

“Okay, see if you can track Dalton down. I’ll call you when I’m in the air.” He ended the call and turned to find all three boys staring at him. Finn’s eyes were shuttered, his face blank in a way Xavier had never seen it. Ev was clutching his hand. Xavier’s heart, which was already racing from the adrenaline, dropped to his feet. “I’m sorry, sweetheart,” he started, but Finn interrupted him.

“It’s okay. I understand.” He tried to smile, but his voice was toneless and he didn’t meet Xavier’s eyes.

Xavier crossed the room and crouched down in front of him, taking his hands in his own, the cast cold and hard against his knuckles. “Finn. Sweetheart, I don’t want to leave. You have to know I don’t. But it’s an emergency.”

Finn nodded. “Of course. I understand.” But he clearly didn’t, and he had every right to be upset. Xavier didn’t want to leave him either, not when they were still figuring things out. But he had an obligation and people who were relying on him.Fuck.He didn’t know what to do.

Micah spoke up. “You should go with him.”

Xavier looked over in surprise. Out of everyone there, Micah had the clearest idea of what Xavier’s job was and how this might be overwhelming for Finn. The timing was also terrible with everything going on—Finn’s responsibilities to his grandfather and the store. He turned back to Finn, seeing the hope in his eyes before he tucked it away again.

He shook his head. “I can’t. I need to stay here and take care of Pops.”

“He’s going to be in the hospital for a few more days,” Micah said. “And I’m happy to help Grace out at the store. This time of year is slow at the ranch, now that the leaf-peepers are gone.”

“I can help, too,” Ev chimed in. “I know fuck-all about feed and stuff, but I have tons of retail experience. I can run a register like a goddamn pro.”

Xavier examined Finn’s face. “I would love it if you came with me,” he admitted. “I won’t have much free time, but I can show you my home and introduce you to some of my friends.”

Finn looked torn. “I want to go,” he said. “But, Pops. What if he needs me?”

“My dad will check in on him,” Micah assured him. “So will I. And Maggie has been to see him twice already. She knows what it’s like to be laid up in the hospital.”

Xavier squeezed Finn’s hands. “How about we go by the hospital and see how he’s feeling and what he thinks. We would be gone a few days, but if something happens I could have you on a plane and back here in about seven hours.”

Finn took a deep breath then nodded his acceptance. “I need to talk to him first.” He looked at his friends. “You’re really sure—”

“Of course we are,” Micah interrupted.

“Yeah,” Ev agreed. “You run off to Hollywood with your fancy boyfriend. Just promise you won’t forget us, working our fingers to the bone in Small Town, USA.”

Finn laughed at what seemed to be an inside joke and it sounded a little wet. Then he threw his arms around Xavier’s neck, hugging him tightly.

Xavier rubbed a hand up and down his back and looked at the other boys questioningly. Ev shook his head. So therewasa story, but Xavier would have to find out what it was later. They had a plane to catch and a stop at the hospital to make first.

Xavier adored Finn’s grandfather. Finn barely got the question out before Mac was telling him to get the hell on the plane. That he already had too many visitors and needed some damn peace and quiet. Finn had laughed and relaxed, finally looking excited about the prospect of a trip to LA.

They packed the clothes Finn had brought over to the cottage and let Miss Crystal know they were leaving. Then Finn hugged Ev and Micah goodbye, still giving them last-minute instructions about the store, despite the fact that Grace would be there the whole time and had been working there longer than Finn had. It took some herding, but Xavier got him into the rental car and shut the door.

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