Page 20 of Simmer Down
He shakes his head. “No. It’s just... our parents are good people. They loved us, took us on fun vacations, paid for our schooling. They had the money to do all the things that most parents want to do for their kids. But they had expectations too.”
Finn pauses, possibly hesitating. “They’re both in finance and thought working in food service was beneath me. They were thrilled when Callum followed in their footsteps—and the exact opposite when I told them that my career goal was to open my own food truck in Maui. But I didn’t care. It was what I loved to do. So when my business here crashed and burned, they expected me to finally give up, to get a ‘sensible’ job, as they call it. But I wouldn’t do it. And when I told them that, they made it very clear how disappointed they were by refusing to acknowledge that part of my life.”
I keep from speaking even though I’m curious. My parents were always so supportive of whatever I wanted to do. When I said I wanted to go to culinary school after high school, they cheered me on. When I said I wanted to go to school online at night and earn mybusiness degree while working in restaurants all day, they were just as supportive. I can’t imagine what it would be like to have parents who disapproved of what you did for a living.
“Shit. That sucks, Finn.”
The small smile he flashes holds a tinge of sadness. “It did. I honestly didn’t expect money or for them to swoop in and save me or anything like that. All I wanted was their support. But they didn’t have that to give.” He clears his throat. “Callum did though. He always did.”
He glances up and sighs. “I know he doesn’t seem like it now, but he’s a bloody good person. The best I know. I’m biased of course, since he’s my brother.” He chuckles before reining in his expression. “He didn’t care how angry our parents were when they found out he quit his job. All he cared about was helping me.”
Based on what Finn’s told me about Callum, even I have to admit that’s true.
“The way he went about things with you in the beginning was completely wrong,” Finn says. “I even told him that. I told him I didn’t want to stay at the spot on Makena Road because you were already there. But he wouldn’t budge.”
“Must be that douchebag finance persona he does so well.”
To my surprise, Finn laughs. He wipes his brow with his forearm. Tiny beads of sweat on his skin shine in the sunlight.
“When it comes to business, he’s a bloody shark. It’s good because it’s an effective strategy, but it’s awful, too, because he turns into a complete bellend.”
“You’re right about that.” I bite the inside of my cheek when I hear how borderline bitter I sound.
“Look, I know things are unpleasant right now. We’re technically enemies. And in a couple months one of us is going to have to leave the spot. But you’ve noticed a big increase in your revenue, too,haven’t you? It’s like people can’t get enough of this rivalry between you and Callum, and because of it, business is booming. I mean, it’s odd and a bit terrible, but it’s also brilliant.”
For a second I think about saying nothing. He and his brother are my competition. They don’t deserve to know the goings-on of my business. But they’re not blind. Every day they see the long lines at my food truck. They know just how well we’re doing, just like I know how well they’re doing.
“You could say that,” I say, shifting my weight from one foot to the other.
Finn shrugs. All the worry from his face disappears, and a gentle smile tugs at his mouth. “Then it’s kind of a good thing overall, isn’t it?”
I admit that it is.
His smile fades, and his eyes fall to the ground. “I’m truly sorry for how Callum’s been. He’s always been protective, especially after—”
A trio of elementary school–aged kids dart between us, screaming, “You’re it! No, you’re it!” We both stumble back a step. Finn chuckles, which makes me chuckle. I feel myself loosening from the inside out. He’s got a lovely, joyous laugh. I wonder if his brother laughs the same way.
Finn runs a hand through his hair. It’s shaggier than his brother’s, but they both share the same honey-blond hue. “I just wanted to apologize to you and your mum for how all this started. There’s no excuse for that, no matter how good it’s been for our businesses.”
My gaze falls to my feet. As much as I dislike Callum, his brother seems like a kind and decent person. He cared enough to apologize. And I can’t fault him for his brother’s personality. That’s not in his control.
“I appreciate that. Thank you,” I finally say. “I’m not a fan ofhow this all started, either, but you’re right. It’s working out so far for the both of us.”
He shoves his free hand into the pocket of his shorts.
I glance down. “I’m also not a fan of his blinding hatred of me, but I suppose there’s not much I can do about that currently.”
A smile plays across Finn’s lips. “You think he hates you?”
I nearly laugh at his shocked tone of voice. “Positive. Remember how he came at me that day we met? Remember every argument we’ve had in front of you? One hundred percent unadulterated hatred right there.”
Finn bites back a grin. He opens his mouth to speak, then immediately shuts it. “I’ll admit, Callum hates plenty of people. But you’re not one of them.”
Finn tips his boba tea at me before turning around and walking away. I’m tempted to holler at him so he can come back and explain what he meant, but he’s swallowed by the sea of tourists and locals navigating the market before I can utter a word.
I’m left standing in an invisible cloud of confusion. Every single time I’ve interacted with Callum, his animosity for me has radiated like steam from a volcanic fissure. Why in the world would Finn say otherwise?
I wander through the crowd, half-heartedly scanning items for sale. Does Finn know something I don’t? Did something change since Callum brushed me off at the vet’s office?
