Page 23 of A Hard Fit (Falling Hard #2)

Pink

“Do you like it?” Cali asked, scrunching up her face.

“Hmm.” Finn stepped back from the canvas and held up his thumb and forefinger in an L as he examined her painting. “I love it.”

“You do?” Her face was shining like a candle glowed from within. She had painted the Ferris wheel with the harbor behind it in broad, bright strokes, the sky a heady mix of blues, and each car packed with boldly-colored people in emerald greens, sunflower yellows and poppy reds.

“Absolutely. Would you let me keep it? I have the perfect spot.”

Her eyes widened. “You’re going to hang it? On your wall ?”

“Of course. Bryson’s too.” Bryson had painted a swirling mass of cotton candy on a red-and-white-striped stick, but had since gone back to his Lego in the dining room.

Cali bounced on her toes. “Where?”

“I’ll show you.” Finn collected the canvases. “Follow me.”

He went into the dining room and took a set of prints off the wall that he’d picked up at the farmers’ market when he’d first moved to Oakport. Cali and Bryson’s paintings looked much better in that spot.

Bryson crawled out of his fort, Lego spaceship in hand. “What are you guys doing?”

“Uncle Finn is hanging up our paintings!” Cali replied.

“He is?” Bryson stood and gaped at his painting on the wall. “Cotton candy is art, too?”

“Anything you enjoy creating is art,” Finn told him.

“That’s so cool,” Bryson said, voice grave. He held up his creation. “Even Lego?”

“You bet.” Finn ruffled his hair as the doorbell rang.

“Mom!” the kids cried in unison and went tearing toward the front door.

Rory had just opened the door, but before they could say anything, Bryson and Cali were hurling themselves into Liz’s arms.

“Hello, my babies!” Liz pulled them close and kissed the tops of their heads. “I missed you so much! How are you?”

“Good!” they chorused.

The news came at Liz in a flurry.

“We went to Thrill Island!”

“I rode all the roller coasters!”

“I won a snake at the arcade!”

“And I won a teddy bear!”

She nodded and oohed as appropriate while the kids bounced around her.

“Would you like to come in for a bit?” Finn offered once they ran to grab their prizes and he was able get a word in.

“Sure, thanks. No hurry for us.”

“Liz, this is my partner, Rory,” Finn said. The word ‘partner’ echoed in his head. Were they telling people? Should he tell Liz? He shot Rory a questioning look. Rory nodded, so Finn corrected himself. “Actually…Rory and I got engaged last night.”

Liz gasped. “You did? Congratulations! That’s so exciting. And it’s so nice to meet you, Rory.” Liz shook Rory’s hand. “Hope you didn’t mind my crew invading your home for the weekend, especially on the night you got engaged!”

“Not at all,” Rory said. “They’re great kids. We had tons of fun.”

“And the engagement wasn’t exactly planned,” Finn added.

“Mom!” Bryson came running toward them waving a rubber snake. “Uncle Finn and Rory helped build one of the rides! It was so cool, it crashed you around like—” He made an explosion noise and threw himself on the couch.

“Okay, simmer down, chief,” Liz told him. “Are you both all packed and cleaned up?”

“Do we have to go?” Bryson whined. “Can we stay another night? Pleeeease?”

“Nope. I’ve got work and you’ve got school. Go make sure you’ve cleaned everything up. Where do you want them to put their sheets?” she asked Finn.

“Oh, it’s fine, I can do it,” Finn said.

Liz smiled. “In the washing machine?”

“Sure.”

Liz waved the kids back toward the dining room. They groaned and trudged off.

“And make sure you don’t leave any socks behind!” she called after them. “Check under the mattresses!”

“Coffee?” Finn asked her.

She nodded. “Wonderful, thanks.”

The three adults retreated to the kitchen. Liz and Rory sat at the table while Finn collected mugs from the cupboard. “Cream and sugar?” Finn asked his sister.

“I drink it black now.”

“How was your weekend?” Rory said to Liz.

Her eyes sparkled. “It was amazing, actually. I had fuck all to do.”

Finn poured their coffees. “That’s perfect. You needed a break.”

“Agreed. And I can’t thank you enough for giving me one.”

“It was my pleasure.” He set their drinks on the table and sat with them. “So…how are things going at home…with Neil?”

Liz curled her hands around her mug, shoulders tensing. “It’s hard. Watching everything you built crumble around you, while the person who was supposed to—” She stopped and pressed her lips together. “Thanks for having them, Finn. They were so excited, and, clearly, they had an amazing time.” Her voice caught. “It really means a lot to me.”

Finn took a second to collect his words, held back as they were by the squeeze in his throat. “I’m sorry it took me so long.”

Liz shook her head. “I get it. You didn’t have much reason to stick with me, did you?”

Finn blinked, while twenty years of heartache swirled the surface.

Liz studied his face. “Mom was…well, she was shitty, and I know I took her side a lot. But I…I felt like I had to, you know? She was such a mess. And you…you had it all together. I always admired that about you. Still do.”

Finn’s eyes were wet. “I didn’t feel like I did.”

She blinked a tear from her eye, sending it rolling down her cheek. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have called you selfish. You were just trying to protect yourself.”

“I’m sorry too. I wish we hadn’t…”

“I know.”

Rory sniffled.

Finn and Liz looked at them and chuckled, wiping their eyes.

“You’ll have to come visit again soon,” Finn said. “Maybe you can join us at Thrill Island next time.”

Liz scooted forward in her chair to hug Finn. “That would be great. Thank you.”

Finn sank into the hug. He’d forgotten how good it felt to have his big sister’s arms around him.

Then Bryson appeared in the doorway. “I want to be an artist when I grow up, Mom!”

Liz smiled at her son. “Do you?”

He skipped over to take her hand. “Yeah! Uncle Finn hanged up my art, come see!”

* * * *

They waved at Liz’s car until it rounded the corner, then Finn hooked a finger into Rory’s belt with a mischievous eyebrow quirk. “What time is Bailey’s party?”

“Oh,” Rory replied, eyes darkening. “Not. For. Hours .”

“Then,” Finn said, tugging Rory close and breathing them in, “I believe I made a promise.”

Later, naked and cozy under the covers, the topic of their engagement came up again. Finn kissed Rory’s forehead and wiggled right in close so his words rippled over their neck. “So, what should I call you?”

“What do you mean?” Rory asked, lacing their fingers together.

“Do you like ‘fiancé’?”

“Hmm…” Rory considered. “You know what? How about ‘betrothed’?”

“‘Betrothed.’ I love it. ‘This is Rory, my betrothed.’ ‘Can’t, I’m going for dinner with my betrothed.’”

Rory giggled. “One moment please, my betrothed is calling.”

Finn kissed them. “My betrothed is so sexy.”

“No, my betrothed is sexy.”

Finn growled and rolled on top of Rory. “My betrothed is about to get fucked within an inch of their life. Again.”

Rory grabbed Finn’s ass and pulled him closer. “I always said my betrothed was a generous lover.”

Finn earned his title again, this time as Rory’s betrothed.

* * * *

Parking in Lainey and Jonathan’s driveway was different this time. This time, Rory had chosen him for forever.

He was still nervous to see Jackson, though.

Bailey was at the door to greet them, in a sparkly pink dress and ‘Birthday Girl’ tiara.

“You look so cute,” Rory told her after they exchanged greetings.

“I know,” she said with a hair flick.

“Happy birthday, Bailey,” Finn said, handing her the gift he and Rory had picked out.

“This is gorgeous!” Bailey exclaimed, holding up the present. “My gosh. Who wrapped it?”

“I did,” Finn said, cheeks flushing as they always did when someone gushed over him. He had chosen shimmery pink wrapping paper, multiple pink and silver cloth ribbons, and, instead of a bow, a pink paper flower that was woven with a rose quartz beaded necklace.

“You did? You made this flower?” She marveled over it.

“Yup.”

“Isn’t my—my partner so talented?” Rory asked.

Finn shared a look with Rory. He could tell how much they wanted to tell her the news. But she would make a big deal about it and it was supposed to be her night.

Bailey didn’t notice their meaningful glance, enraptured as she was by the wrapping. “I’ll say. This is too beautiful to open. Anyway, come on in. Dad’s made a signature cocktail for the party but he hasn’t revealed it yet. He’s been waiting for everyone to arrive.”

“Are we the last ones?” Rory asked. They might have been a little slow getting out of bed.

“Not quite. We’re still waiting for Jackson. He’s apparently stuck at work.”

“Work? It’s your birthday!”

Bailey rolled her eyes. “You know him.”

They followed Bailey into the living room. It looked like pretty much the full clan was there—aunts, uncles, cousins and a couple faces Finn swore he’d never seen before. Steffie and Mikala waved, but Finn didn’t see Dimitri anywhere.

“There you are!” Lainey said when she saw them. “Hello, darling.” They swapped air kisses—the Jackson drama apparently swept under the designer rug—while Jonathan rolled in a bar cart draped in a white cloth.

“All right, everyone!” he called. “Apparently Jackson will be on his way shortly, but I’m not waiting.” He paused to make sure he had the room’s attention. “First of all, we would like to thank you for joining us for this special girl’s birthday.”

Bailey smiled and flushed as everyone cheered.

“She is the sweetest, most beautiful person, and we are all so lucky to know her,” Jonathan continued.

“Oh, Dad,” Bailey said.

“So, in honor of Bailey’s twenty-third birthday, I give you…” He paused for dramatic effect before whipping the cloth off the bar cart, revealing a tray of tall pink fizzy cocktails, topped with lime and fresh strawberries. “The Straw-Bailey margarita.”

Bailey laughed and clapped her hands over a chorus of oohs and ahhs. “What’s in a Straw-Bailey margarita?”

“Magic,” Jonathan said. “Just like you. Plus some tequila.”

“Aw, Dad.” Bailey hugged him, then accepted the first drink. She clinked her glass with his. “Cheers!”

Davis came in carrying another tray of the signature cocktail and circled the room distributing drinks.

Finn and Rory wandered over to Mikala and Steffie to chat as they enjoyed their beverages.

“Did Leo and Troy crash as hard as Cali and Bryson did last night?” Finn asked.

“So hard.” Steffie laughed. “I think Troy was sleepwalking by the time we got home. He kept telling me to get off the Ferris wheel.”

Finn chuckled. “Bryson just worshiped your boys. It was so nice of them to include him.”

“Oh, not at all, they had lots of fun too. They already asked this morning if they could have Bryson over one day.”

“Aw, that’s so cute. Next time they visit, for sure.”

It wasn’t long before they were herded to dinner and the adults found their seats in the dining room. The massive table was adorned with white and silver china, pink roses and pink candles.

They had loaded their plates with food—pork ribs, rice pilaf and corn on the cob—when Bailey stood and clinked her glass to get their attention. “I just wanted to say, thanks for being here tonight. It really means a lot to me—”

Jackson dashed into the room in a wrinkled charcoal suit. “Hi, folks,” he drawled. “So sorry, Bailey. I couldn’t get away.” He went to kiss his mom on the cheek.

“Hello, dear,” Lainey said.

“We’re glad you made it,” Bailey said.

Griffin snorted. “Just trying to imagine what you would have said to me if I had rolled in in the middle of dinner.”

“You would have been coming from, like, a foosball tournament or something. I was at work ,” Jackson snapped.

“Everything sorted?” Jonathan asked. His cheeks were pink and hair mussed. Finn wondered how many Straw-Bailey margaritas he had sampled before the party.

“For now.” Jackson sighed, so put upon. He loosened his tie. “We really need to take another look at our distributor in the south-east—”

“Can I get you a Straw-Bailey margarita?” Bailey interrupted. “Dad made them. They’re so good.”

“Uh…” He eyed the pink beverages dotting the table. “I’ll have a beer, thanks.”

Davis slipped from the room with his tray.

“You made it,” Amy said dryly when Jackson took his seat next to her.

He muttered something in reply that Finn couldn’t make out. Jackson’s gaze flicked up and met Finn’s.

Neither of them looked away.

Jackson curled his lip and lifted his beer at Finn in a sarcastic salute.

Without breaking eye contact, Finn lifted Rory’s knuckles to his lips.

Davis stepped between them as he leaned over to place Jackson’s beer on the table and the moment was over.

For now.

Once the meal was completed and the plates cleared, Lainey stood with her drink in hand. “Time for presents and cake!” she announced. “Everyone to the living room.”

“Jackson,” Rory called, hanging back as the room cleared. “Can we have a second, please?”

Jackson stopped with a sigh. “Whatever you’re going to say, can it wait? I’ve had a long day.”

“It can’t.”

Jackson rolled his eyes and leaned against the sideboard. “So, talk.”

“Mom said you were going to call me,” Rory said.

Jackson shrugged as he took a swig of beer. “She mentioned I should call you, like once.”

“Yeah, and you didn’t.”

“I’ve been busy.”

“Jackson, I need you to understand something, and I hope I don’t ever have to repeat myself, or it’s going to be a serious problem. I love Finn. He is the most important person in my life. He’s not going anywhere. In fact…” Rory paused to look at Finn and take his hand. “We are engaged.”

“You’re engaged ?” Jackson’s eyes bugged out.

“That’s right. So, you will stop being a fucking snob and you will be respectful to him at all times. And if you pull any more shit again, you won’t be invited to the wedding.”

Jackson looked back and forth between them a few times, then bobbed his head. “Okay. You’re right.”

Finn and Rory exchanged a look. “Really?” Rory said.

“Really.” He offered a hand to Finn. “I hope you can accept my apology, Finn.”

“Er…yeah, of course.” They shook.

“And welcome to the family,” Jackson added.

“Thanks.” Finn’s insides itched.

But Rory beamed. “Thanks, Jackson. I really appreciate that. Now come on, we’d better get in there for presents.”

Finn filed obediently behind Rory to the living room, unable to tear his eyes away from Jackson’s frame.

Bailey was thrilled with every gift, gushing over each item she revealed. She seemed to especially love what Finn and Rory had picked out—a coffee tumbler in trans flag colors, a soft pink scarf and rose quartz beaded earrings that matched the necklace wrapped around the flower on the outside of the present.

The party was winding down, older aunts and uncles saying their goodbyes, when Finn excused himself to use the washroom. His stomach dropped when he heard footsteps following him down the hall. He knew who they belonged to before he turned around. And he was right.

“Jackson.” He folded his arms, waiting.

“Finn.” The smile on Jackson’s face was as slithery and cold as a snake. “I had to ask…was that convincing?”

Finn’s stomach bottomed out in his shoes. “Was what convincing?”

“I only apologized to make my mom and Rory happy. But you and I both know you will never belong here. My mom knows it, and, deep down, so does Rory.”

Finn nodded, digesting those words as his gaze flicked down the hallway behind Jackson. “And what happens when I tell Rory about this conversation?”

Jackson waved a dismissive hand. “Go ahead. I’ll deny everything, and, honestly, it really only matters if I convince the rest of the family. Rory will never go against them, not in the long run.” Jackson’s eyes glittered. “Get married if you want. You’ll lose in the end.”

“Jackson. Gene. Barrett.” The words sliced through the air like a knife.

Jackson whirled.