Page 46 of Something Unforgettable

“I’m sure he doesn’t mean for you—to wait up,” Asher said, a yawn breaking up the sentence.

“I’m fine,” Finn told him. “You should go home. You’re tired.”

Asher chuckled. “Fucking exhausted.” He gave Finn a wave and headed for the front door. “Goodnight, kid.”

The door shut behind him with a thump. Outside, a car started, then drove off, the sound of the engine fading into silence.

Finn swallowed as a lump grew in his throat. He was so tired, but the last thing he wanted to do was interrupt Xavi when he was working. Finn focused on his breathing. He was being stupid. He was an adult, and he didn’t need to be the center of attention all the time. He didn’t even want that. He was fine on his own. By now, he was used to it.

Tears welled up and he dashed at them in frustration. He should just go to bed before someone caught him being ridiculous. He stood, then sat again. He didn’t know where he was supposed to sleep. Xavier’s house was huge and no one had told him. He took a shuddering breath that threatened to turn into a sob before he clamped his mouth shut again. He wasn’t going tocry.

The fucking tears wouldn’t listen though. Finn squeezed his eyes shut against them, but they slipped free anyway.

“Finn?” Something hit the floor, and then a moment later, warm hands were on his cheeks. “Finn. Little one. What is it?” Xavier’s voice was filled with concern. It made the tears come faster. “Are you in pain?” Xavier’s hands skimmed down his arms, touching gently at the cast, then squeezing his cold fingertips. “Sweet boy, please look at me. Tell me what’s wrong.”

That was fear in Xavier’s voice. He didn’t want Xavier to be upset just because Finn was having a breakdown over nothing.

“I’m s-sorry,” he managed to get out, his voice all wet and wobbly, his breath hitching.

“What? Hey, shh. What are you apologizing for?”

Finn’s phone was taken from his hands and set aside, then he was being lifted and a moment later he was in Xavier’s lap, his head on Xavier’s shoulder as Xavi cradled him.

“It’s okay, sweetheart,” Xavier said, his hand rubbing up and down Finn’s back. “You’re okay. You’ve just had a rough few days.”

His soothing words made Finn cry harder. This was all he wanted. To be close to Xavier. Daddy’s strong arms around him, holding him tight and keeping him safe.

Xavier laid kisses against his hairline and down his cheeks, kissing away his tears as he murmured indistinct words against Finn’s skin.

Eventually, Finn’s tears ran out and he released a shuddering breath, lifting his hand to wipe the wetness away. God. How embarrassing was that? He was never going to be able to meet Xavier’s eyes again.

A finger under his chin forced him to tilt his head up, then Xavier was pressing a soft kiss to his lips.

“Better?” he asked, no annoyance or impatience in his voice.

“I don’t know,” Finn admitted. “Maybe a little?”

A thumb brushed the wetness on his cheeks away. He opened his aching eyes to see Xavier looking down at him, his forehead creased with concern. A lamp had been turned on, its dim light just reaching them on the sofa. Xavi was so beautiful. He hadn’t shaved in a few days and his scruffy cheeks were starting to fill in his goatee. Finn liked it. It made him look softer. Of course, Finn had liked him the other way, too.

“Please, talk to me, little one. Is this about your grandfather?”

Finn shook his head. “It’s so stupid.”

Xavier’s frown deepened. “Nothing you’re feeling is ever stupid.”

Finn didn’t agree, but it still warmed him to hear Xavier say it. “I just—I know your work is important. I promise, I do. But I started to feel like… It reminded me of—of when I was a kid.” He closed his eyes again. “My parents. They weren’t that great at remembering I was around.”

Xavier’s arms tightened and Finn took another trembling breath, soaking in the comfort.

“They were older when they had me. I— I…wasn’t planned. They never said that, but one time I heard them talking and—” Finn couldn’t quite get the words out. Xavier’s hand started stroking his back again.

“Take your time, little one. I’m here.”

Daddy’s here.

Finn laid his cheek on Xavier’s shoulder and trained his gaze on the darkness outside the window.

“I wasn’t planned,” he said again. “I was always taken care of. They—they aren’tbadpeople. They just didn’t have time for raising a kid. I mostly had nannies until I was old enough to take care of myself.”

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