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Finn laughs a bit and looks at me like he’s enjoying me getting to know a bit more about him. Maybe he’s just happy to be here with his grandmother.

“What about you, Carter? You played any sports?”

“Yes, ma’am. I’ve also been running for as long as I can remember.”

“Running away from trouble, I’m sure,” Finn interjects, and I give him an eye roll.

“I’m also trained in boxing and mixed martial arts.”

I love the look of surprise on Finn’s face, so I raise my eyebrows at him in a challenge. My face must say it all because he gives me a sultry look back that has my skin heating. I’d liketo show him a thing or two later. Especially if it ends in orgasms.

“What was this oaf like as a teenager?”

“Finn? Oh, he was the best. I’ve got sixteen grandkids, and while Finn isn’t actually my grandson, he’s the only one who calls me regularly. Always checkin’ in on me and making sure I have everything I need. More than I can say about any of the other ones.”

My head snaps to Finn in confusion.

“She’s my great-aunt, technically. My dad’s mom’s sister, believe it or not. But, she’s been a surrogate grandmother to me for as long as I can remember.”

I want to know more here. Finn led me to believe that he doesn’t have any supportive family, but this woman right here seems to love and adore him.

“Are you close to your family, Carter?”

“Yes, ma’am, I am. I have four siblings—three older brothers and a younger sister—and we’re all a little too close for comfort some days.”

“Must be nice to grow up with a big family. Your mom is happy?”

I tilt my head at her briefly, slightly taken aback by her specific question, but I move on quickly, chalking it up to her relating to a mother of a family.”

“She is. I’ve never seen that woman go a day without a smile my dad has put on her face. It’s us kids who’ve given her all her challenges,” I tell her with a laugh. “I couldn’t imagine raising five kids, but she did it. I think my dad keeping her so happy made it easier.”

Finn’s “grandmother” smiles at me and nods her head.

“I’m glad to hear it. A healthy relationship makes all the difference!”

We spent the next hour talking, Finn’s grandmother giving me little bits of the sweet child he was. Finn is relaxed in the patio chair next to me, his laugh genuine, a smile constant on his gorgeous face. It’s easy to imagine life with him, and that scares the shit out of me.

We walk back to Finn’s, side by side, eating lobster rolls that we grabbed from a food stand on the water. I scarf down my first one in two big bites, bunching up the white paper and stuffing it into the bag before pulling out my second. Finn chuckles next to me as he pops the last bite of his into his mouth.

“What?” I ask, unwrapping my roll.

“You really like ’em, huh?”

“They’re fucking good. I can see how someone wouldn’t, though. Kind of slimy, but also chewy? Weird fucking texture, actually, now that I’m dissecting it,” I laugh, taking another huge bite.

“So, your grandmother knows you’re gay, then?”

“I mean, yes and no. I never actually came out to her, but she’s put it together over the years, I guess.” He shrugs.

“You know, I was getting the impression you didn’t really have anyone in your corner, but she seems pretty amazing.”

“Yeah, she is. Our relationship is a secret, though. My dad would . . .” His words cut off and I give him a moment before I decide this time I am going to push him more. I want to know what haunts him; I want him to open up more to me.

“Your dad would what, Finn?”

His shoulders deflate as he looks up at the pink and purple painted sky.

“He’d cut me off.”