Page 9 of Only Ever Yours
Chapter Three
Hollis
When I woke up the following morning, it took me a couple of moments to get my bearings. Sunlight streamed through the window, and the sound of birds filled the air, such a difference from the low hum of London traffic and occasional sirens. I stretched, the sense of freedom washing over me. Not having to go to work was a strange feeling; it had been a while since I’d taken any more than the odd day off here and there. I took a quick shower before heading downstairs.
Finn sat at the kitchen table, his laptop in front of him.
“You were out late last night.”
It’s Gil all over again. Then I remembered Finn was my older brother and we looked out for each other no matter what. He wasn’t trying to control me; he wanted to protect me as he always had.
I went to the fridge to check out the contents. Honestly, I shouldn’t have been disappointed or surprised by the lack of actual food in there. Shutting the door, I turned to Finn, resolving to addmake a trip to the supermarketto my list of things to do.
“How do you two even survive?” The kettle was at least still warm, and I could make a coffee. Without caffeine, I couldn’t start the day.
“Felicity sometimes makes us breakfast.”
A strange tightness in my chest developed at the mention of Felicity’s name again.So she stays over.Why does it even matter to me?
“I’ll have another coffee if you’re making one.” Finn held out his mug.
Rolling my eyes, I took it from him. “Milk and two sugars?”
“No sugar these days. Ella managed to wean me off of it.”
“And there’s another reason you shouldn’t have split up with her,” I said triumphantly, spooning coffee into two mugs and getting what was left of the milk out of the fridge.
“Sis, if you’re going to keep banging on about me and Ella, you can find somewhere else to stay. Maybeshehas a spare room?” Finn smirked as I handed him his fresh coffee.
I held up my hands. “Okay, okay. I get the message. No more talk of you getting back with Ella.”
Settling into the chair opposite him, I gestured to the laptop. “How’s it all going?”
He blew out his cheeks. “Harder than I thought. I mean, running the businesses, the practical side of things, is easy. Jase and the guys fix cars and bikes; the guys at the gym train and motivate. Dealing with the back end of two businesses is tough. I pretty much know my way around the garage, but the gym’s a different story.”
“You want me to take a look at it?” I offered.
Finn shook his head. “You’re here for a break, to get your mind off everything that happened with Gil. You don’t need to start helping me with spreadsheets.”
Cradling the mug in my hands, I stared at the milky-brown liquid. It might not have been the morning coffee I got at Gail’s on my way to work, but it sure tasted a lot better this morning. “I guess I want to keep busy. If I don’t, I’ll only start thinking about everything.”
“I get it.” Finn shut the laptop. “What did you tell the people at work?”
“I told them I had a family emergency and wouldn’t be around for a few days. They’ve given me some compassionate leave.” I put imaginary air quotes around the last two words.
“You can stay here as long as you want. We need someone since Barney’s moved out. It may as well be someone we know.”
I fell silent. Moving back to Maplebrook hadn’t even been on my radar; however, it was good to know I had it as an option if I needed it. Sipping my coffee, I asked, “Would Jase be okay with it?”
He shrugged. “You’re my sister, Hollis. If he can’t understand that, then he’ll be the one who has to move out.”
“Thanks, Finn. Good to know.”
Finn’s phone pinged. His frown deepened as he read the message, tutted, typed out a reply, then tossed the device back on the table with a huff.
“Everything okay?” I asked.
“Jess has called in sick. I’ve got no one to make coffee at the café in the gym, and Friday morning is when all the mums come in to catch up with their mates. I can’t risk having it closed; it’s an easy money maker.”
