Page 44 of Addicted

“Just?” Owen countered. “It’s been eight months now, going on nine.”

“I’m trying to make sure that no one takes advantage of you.” Finn popped a piece of dragon roll into his mouth, staring Owen down.

Even though Owen knew that Finn was being protective, the mention of Liam doing anything negative sent a spike of anger right through him. “Liam doesn’t have the ability to take advantage of anyone.”

”Are you sure that you’re not doing this out of some misplaced guilt?” To anyone outside of their friendship Finn might seem nosy but he cared deeply and it made him fearless in his boundaries, which Owen respected.

“I’m sure. I talked it over in therapy. I’ve thought about it a lot. But I don’t know what to do.”

“You focus on Michael. That’s what you do.” Finn’s statement was like a knife in Owen’s heart.

”Iamfocusing on him.“ Owen shot back, suddenly not hungry. “He’s always on my mind, my heart is always breaking, but all I can do right now is sit and wait. And hope that I get to see him again. Should I lock myself up in my condo and stare at the walls? Work and go home and never show interest in anyone again?”

“That’s not what I mean and you know it,” Finn’s eyes flashed, challenging him. “I meant that you shouldn’t be distracted from getting custody.”

“Then I shouldn’t be working because that’s a distraction from getting custody. And so is this lunch with you.” Owen took a breath, trying to calm down. He wanted this to be a discussion, not an argument. “I need a life, Finn. Some normalcy after the last year, hell, after the last decade. I’m starting to find my footing again and I have Liam to thank for some of it.”

“Isn’t he closer in age to Michael than you?”

“He’s a grown man, Finn.”

“And so are you, Owen.” It was getting serious if Finn was using real names. “But you’re his boss and you’re - what - like a zillion years older than him-”

“Twelve years. Twelve years older. And didn’t you date someone who was twenty-four last year? That’s some pot-kettle from you.” Owen crossed his arms, challenging Finn right back.

“Yeah, Ellie. But it was only for fun, I wasn’t her boss, and I didn’t have a divorce and custody battle on my plate. Does Liam know what’s happening with you right now?”

“Of course.” Owen’s indignant mood faded as he remembered how sweet Liam had been after The Rushio Incident. How he’d tried to cheer Owen up with a meal and gentle touches, bolstering him with the cutest combination of fierceness and shyness. “When I got the call a few weeks ago, Liam was there. He saw how upset I was and brought me food and comfort when I was brooding in my office. We’ve discussed the divorce several times. He knows how bad this is and he isn’t running away.”

Finn frowned, taking that in. “And how does he feel about you?”

“You sound like Dr. Lawson. You should be a therapist.”

“Nah, why would I want to sit around and listen to people talk about their problems all day? Besides, I’ve got my hands full with you. But you still haven’t answered my question.”

“I’m pretty sure he feels something for me.”

Finn nodded, finishing up the dragon roll and chewing, deep in thought. “You’re his boss though. That’s problematic.”

Owen sighed. “I know. That’s why I’m still trying to figure things out. I like working at The Pointe and I don’t want to screw up my life even more.”

“You haven’t screwed up your life. And I’m going to say it over and over until you believe it butnoneof this is your fault.“ Finn pursed his lips and nodded decisively as if everything he said was right. “Speaking of your job, I have to admit that you seem a little better since you started working there. Itisgood that you’re not staring at the condo walls all day. I don’t want that for you.”

Owen took the concession for what it was. “It’s not like I’m forgetting about Michael, not for one second. It’s just…this whole custody battle is killing me. Legally I’m doing all I can but sometimes I want to hire someone with a special set of skills to get him back. By now he probably thinks I don’t care-”

“That’s bullshit and you know it. He’s as stubborn as you. I bet he’s giving Sharon hell. I hope he is.”

Owen gave a despairing shrug of his shoulders. “I just want to see him again. But I have to face the fact that she might win, especially after the…new developments.” He waved his hand vaguely at nothing, still unable to talk about that horrible phone call unless he was in his therapist’s office. It was silly but he was afraid that if he said the words too much it might make them real.

“When do you find out?” Finn’s tone was soft and there was compassion in his deep brown eyes.

“In a few weeks. Worst case scenario is in court. She’ll probably try to arrange it that way but Freddy will do everything he can to give me the news before then. He thinks the entire thing is another stall tactic, a distraction but…I don’t know.”

“I’m with Team Freddy. I don’t think what she’s saying is true.” Finn exhaled and the compassion was replaced by caution. “But what if it is? What will you do?”

Owen stared at the sashimi while his stomach rebelled, twisting as it always did when he thought about living without his son. During the last few years of marriage, Sharon had spent most of her time away from home. Owen had practically been a single parent to Michael since he started first grade, and Sharon’s absenteeism didn’t go unnoticed. Owen had to constantly reassure Michael that his mother loved him; and now Michael was trapped with her and Nathan while they tried to strip Owen of everything, even fatherhood. It constantly haunted him. “Move on with my life? I guess? When Michael turns eighteen he can find me so I owe it to him to keep going. I’ll always be his father.”

“Plus, you have a good job and good friends,” Finn stated, nodding again like those were facts.

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