Page 45 of Something Unforgettable

Finn nodded even as tears pricked his eyes. “Yeah,” he gasped out. “Just stupid.”

“Everyone makes mistakes,” Remy parroted back at him, making Finn laugh through the pain. He sat up carefully, getting a glimpse of Remy’s concerned face. “What happened to your arm?” he asked.

Finn gave him a half smile that was more of a wince. “I fell down the stairs.”

Remy made ahuhsound. “You’re gonna need a better story than that for Hollywood. People out here have wild imaginations, and you never know what they might come up with for a beautiful but mysteriously injured younger guy dating a very rich older man.”

Finn was lost for a minute, then his eyes widened. Crap. That did sound bad. “I, um… I fell off a horse?”

Remy nodded. “Better, but make sure you picture it in your mind when you say it. Rub your shoulder, look sheepish—yeah, just like that—and say ‘riding accident.’”

Finn did as he was told, then blushed when Remy waggled his eyebrows at the word riding.

“Jerk,” he said, giving Remy a light shove. “That’s not better than falling down the stairs.”

“Trust me, it absolutely is. They’ll be so busy trying to figure out if you mean riding orridingthat nothing else will ever cross their minds.”

Finn considered that and had to agree that Remy was right. “You’re really good at this,” he said.

“I’m an actor, pet. It’s my job.” He reached out and startled Finn by threading his fingers through his hair and sweeping it back from his face. “I just noticed your eyes. They’re too fucking gorgeous to hide behind all this. How about we get out of here tomorrow and I’ll take you to my stylist? My treat,” he added at Finn’s obvious hesitation. Then he grinned. “I bet your Daddy would love to see you all done up and pretty for him.”

Finn blushed so hard and so fast, he felt lightheaded. “How—” he managed.

Remy laughed, but this time the sound was warm and kind. “Don’t be embarrassed, pet. I’ve known Xavier a long damn time. And don’t forget, I dated his ex-boyfriend. These kinds of things come out.” He smoothed Finn’s hair back into place. “No harm, no foul if you don’t want to. I just feel the need for some pampering after this shit show, and it’s gonna be boring sitting around here all day. C’mon,” he said, pulling out some impressive puppy eyes. “Let me gay you up a little.”

Finn had to laugh at that. What the hell, he figured. When in Hollywood…

“Fine. But not too pretty, okay? I don’t want people to laugh when I go back home.”

“Trust me, pet,” Remy said with a grin. “No one is going to be laughing.”

Finn’s stomach chose that moment to growl again and Remy chuckled and ushered him up and to the kitchen.

“All right. Enough of that. Let’s raid Xavier’s fridge and get you fed. Ash should have stocked up while you were on the plane.”

Finn trailed after him, bemused. Was he actually hanging out with Remy Dalton? A-list actor, Hollywood superstar, and potential gay icon? What even was his life right now?

Asher hadn’t, in fact, stocked up. Because he’d been out looking for Remy and then “babysitting his drunk ass” as he pointed out when asked. Instead they ordered Thai food, and Remy bought way too much, because “leftovers” and “fuck cooking anyway.” Remy cursed more than anyone Finn knew, including Ev. Which was saying something. Finn’s best friend had a filthy mouth, which he liked to claim he was saving so Daddy could spank it out of him. After Xavier’s little smack that morning, Finn thought he might be able to see the appeal.

Or maybe he was just horny. Their cottage in Split Rock felt like a long time ago.

After they ate, Remy said he was going back to bed and sleeping for at least twelve hours. Asher had wandered out of the office around the same time dinner arrived, taken his order of Pad Krapow Gai—Finn had declined a serving after Remy’s warning about exactly how spicy Asher liked his food—Xavier’s Pad See Ew, and gone back in. He said there was still a lot more to sort out before he went home for the night.

Finn washed the dinner dishes and settled back on the sofa with his phone. The book Ev had downloaded was good, but he struggled to focus. He was tired and he hadn’t seen Xavi in hours and hours. He rubbed his eyes and checked the time. Ten p.m. That made it one a.m. East Coast time. He held back a sigh, hoping Xavier and Asher would be done soon.

A few minutes later, the office door opened. Finn straightened as Asher walked out, shutting the door behind him.

“Oh,” he said when he saw Finn sitting on the sofa in the near-dark room. “You’re still awake?”

Finn nodded, then realized Asher couldn’t see him. “I was just waiting for Xavier.”

“Ahh.” Asher slid his arms back into the sleeves of his suit coat as he studied Finn in the darkness. “He’ll probably be done soon.”

Finn nodded.

“He was finishing up with a reporter. One of those guys who loves to talk, you know?”

“Okay,” Finn said, managing to keep his voice steady.

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