Page 8 of A Hard Fit (Falling Hard #2)

Godstrike

Ilona sighed, tapping her nails on the table. “Anything yet?”

Finn checked his email again. “Nothing.”

Finn and Rory were waiting with Ilona in the conference room Monday morning for Markos Palamarou, the owner of Thrill Island, to arrive. He was twenty minutes late.

Ilona stood, smoothing her skirt. “Text me if you hear from him.” She clacked out and the door thumped shut behind her.

Rory stretched in their chair, long and lazy, neck a pale expanse of skin, a pure—

“How was the rest of your weekend?” they asked.

Finn jumped. Fuck . He fluttered his hands over the sketches, ensuring they were laid out with parallel edges, for the fourth time, at least. “Fine,” he said. “Slept off all those beers Saturday morning.” It had been a blurry train ride home. He remembered the games of pool though, remembered their handshake at the end. “Did some yard cleanup, painted, hit the gym. The usual. You?”

“It was my niece’s birthday party on Saturday. It was pretty fun—cake, pi?ata, a clown making balloon animals. You know, that whole thing.”

Finn didn’t really know. A hollow spot in his chest gave a twinge. “Sounds fun.”

“Yeah, it was. My niece is a cutie. She just turned four. You want to see some pictures?”

“Sure.”

Finn leaned over to see Rory’s phone as they scrolled. A smiling newly four-year-old with curly brown hair with a streak of vanilla icing on her cheek. The same girl swinging at a cupcake pi?ata, this time with a streak of determination. Then in Rory’s arms, both in ridiculous balloon hats, laughing at each other, faces alight with joy. Finn breathed out, trying not to let the hollow spot get bigger. “What’s her name?”

“Minnie.”

“She is a cutie.”

“Yeah.” Rory smiled softly at their screen, then tucked their phone away. “Anyway, Sunday I sat around in my pajamas all day binging the first season of Godstrike . Have you seen it?”

Finn shook his head. “Never heard of it.”

“Oh, you have to watch it.” Rory leaned forward, eyes shining. “It’s super cheesy but so fun. There’s these gods, right, like a Mount Olympus-type situation, waging war, messing with mortals, doing all the normal god stuff, but also most of them are queer and it’s like a soap opera, with all the drama and sleeping around and so on.” Rory laughed at the skeptical expression on Finn’s face and reached over to touch his arm. “Trust me! Give it a try, then we can talk about it after.”

Finn looked at Rory’s hand pressed to his bare skin, and noted the goosebumps rise as Rory pulled their hand away. Yup. Watching it. “Sure, I’ll check it out.”

“Yay! You’re going to love it.”

“If it’s shit, though, you owe me.”

Rory’s eyes crinkled. “Deal.”

The door clicked open and Ilona came back in, leading a man who could only be described as ‘large’—tall and thick, huge forearms, ample belly, wide nose, with a thick cul-de-sac of black hair and matching beard. Finn and Rory stood to greet him.

“Mr. Palamarou, this is Finn Owens and Rory Barrett.”

“Finn, Rory!” Markos pumped their arms like he was trying to put out a fire. “So great to meet you in person.”

“Likewise, Mr. Palamarou,” Finn said, glad when he got his hand back.

“Please, please, call me Markos. I don’t like titles.” He pulled out a chair and got himself comfortable, gaze darting around the room. “So sorry I’m late! I wish I had a better reason. Sometimes I lose track of time. I was fixing a leak—that damn boat ride, I tell you.”

“It’s no problem,” Ilona said smoothly. “Thank you so much for coming to meet us.”

“I can’t wait to see what you’ve come up with!” The big man clapped his hands together and rubbed them with anticipation. “Let’s have it!”

* * * *

The meeting could not have gone better. Markos loved the heist angle, and chortled at the redesigned ride names. “You want to keep the boat ride, do you?” he said with distaste.

“Absolutely!” Rory jumped in. “It’s terrific, really takes advantage of all those beautiful willows, and nice to have a few quieter rides for your guests. Plus, who doesn’t love that vibe—gliding through the water, scent of magnolias in the air, breeze in your hair—”

“Scraping slime off the floor in the pump room, pulling wet garbage out of the reeds,” Markos continued, chuckling. “But you’re right, Rory, you’re right. People love that one. I like how you two made it romantic. Something for the couples.”

Finn’s and Rory’s eyes met, and Finn swore Rory’s cheeks flushed a little.

“Exactly,” Rory said, scratching their nose.

They left with Markos’ enthusiastic approval and a rough timeline for the redesign. It was a massive project, for Markos and for them, and the weight of it sat on Finn’s shoulders a little heavier now. But more importantly…

“Who did he remind you of?” Finn asked once Markos and Ilona had left the room.

“I know, it’s been bugging me.” Rory paused stacking their drawings and frowned. “For some reason I feel like it’s a cartoon character?”

Finn paused too, the name dancing at the edges of his brain until he managed to grab hold. “Oh my God, I know! It’s the bad guy in Pinocchio ! The puppet-master dude.”

Rory blinked then threw back their head laughing. “Shit, yes! That’s exactly it!”

“Aw, damn it, that’s all I’m going to be able to think about when I see him now.”

“Same.” Rory giggled.

“Hey.” Finn held Rory’s gaze again. “Great job today. You were amazing.”

This time Rory blushed for real, cheeks flushing the sweetest shade of primrose pink. “So were you.”

“Thanks.” The overwhelming urge to hug Rory swept over him. Instead, Finn cleared his throat and shut his laptop. “I guess we’d better get to work.”

* * * *

Later that night, Finn sent Rory a text.

I watched the first two episodes.

Rory replied immediately.

You did??? And????

Well, the guy with the crown is hot, I’ll give him that, but he seems too attached to his snake.

That’s Colios. Yeah, crazy hot, but…he’s got issues, and that’s putting it mildly!

Wait…he’s not in love with his snake, is he?

No spoilers!

The snake thing is a spoiler???

Rory sent the zipper-mouth emoji.

What did you think of Ophy?

They texted back and forth the rest of the night, in between tidying the kitchen, a quick set of push-ups, brushing his teeth, and undressing and climbing into bed. Cozy under the comforter in his boxers, Finn picked up his phone again. A message from Rory waited.

So you’re gonna keep watching it, right?

For sure.

You have to keep texting me your thoughts!

Finn resisted the urge to kick his feet in glee.

I will. Hope I didn’t bug you too much all night though.

Definitely not.

His heart fluttered. Then another message from Rory popped up.

But I should get to sleep.

Me too. I’m already in bed, in fact.

So am I.

Finn’s heart stopped entirely. Rory. In bed. Fuck . Deep breath, Finn. He fought the indecent thoughts he was having as he sent one more text.

Goodnight, Rory.

Goodnight, Finn.

He put his phone down and burrowed into the blankets, smiling so big it hurt his cheeks. Oh, I’m watching the fuck out of this show.

* * * *

The workdays went by in a blur. Finn scaled up plans for the new Thrill Island signage, while Rory got to work on the website and app design in earnest. Markos would hire a contractor for the actual work in the park, but Finn had the entire marketing campaign to worry about too, so he began building his Breakpoint team. On top of all that, there was the Sartini file taking up a large chunk of his time and energy. Most of the office was in a frenzy about that one, especially as the first meeting with Aleandro Sartini approached. Not to mention, Halloween was close, and he had to start thinking about the party he was hosting.

Tawney leaned on the doorway to Finn’s office the day before the big meeting. “Hey, I’m looking for the final proofs for the Sartini magazine campaign?”

Finn was just about literally buried in paint samples, finalizing colors for the new Thrill Island motif. He looked up at her and scrubbed at his hair. “What now?”

“Sorry, bud.” Her gaze darted to his head. “Did you have those proofs?”

He scowled and smoothed the offending curls. “Gimme an hour.”

“Yeah?”

“Or two.”

Tawney gave him a knowing head tilt. “I’ll be back in three.”

No problem. He had this all under control.

* * * *

Okay, I have to warn you about season two.

Rory texted that night, after they had finished discussing the season one finale.

I’m a couple episodes in, and it’s…more. A lot more. Of everything. In fact, I’m not sure I can recommend you keep watching.

What?

Finn flopped onto his bed.

I’m sure as hell not quitting now, not with that cliffhanger! I need to know what happens with the snake!

Fair enough, but…it gets a little over the top.

Rory, we’re so far past the top already we’re back to the bottom.

His cheeks flared realizing he had sent the word ‘bottom’ to Rory, but it was too late now.

There was a pause that nearly killed him, then Rory’s reply came.

Phrasing.

Finn cackled.

My bad. Still, I’ve gotta give it a try.

Okay, fine, but don’t say I didn’t warn you!

* * * *

The premiere of season two was still worse than Finn had been expecting. He couldn’t wait a whole day to watch it, so he turned it on for his morning treadmill run. The wigs were somehow worse this season, and the dialogue even clunkier. Characters changed alliances without so much as a whisper of logic or motivation, and another one was nonsensically written out of the show—death by stampede. The actor must have been unhappy with the creative direction, and Finn couldn’t blame them. Finn didn’t text Rory on his way into the office though—he decided to wait and talk about it in person, plus he wanted to go over his notes for the Sartini presentation on the train.

His heart gave a little skip when he saw Rory sitting in the staff kitchen. Rory looked up and smiled. Finn realized the first smile of the day from Rory was what he looked forward to the most.

“Hey,” he said, joining Rory at the table with a full cup of coffee.

“Morning, Finn.” Rory looked a little tired, face pale and eyes puffy.

“You okay?” Finn asked, noticing their blazer was a little crumpled too.

“Oh, I’m fine.” Rory rubbed their eyes. “Just tired. Was up late working on the website coding. How are you?”

“Tired, too. I didn’t sleep great either.”

“Are you nervous about today?”

Yes. “Nah.”

“Well, we should go to bed early tonight.”

Finn’s stomach dropped. We should what now?

“I mean—” Rory’s eyes widened. “We should both—each—at home—at our houses—”

A snicker escaped from Finn. “It’s fine. I know what you meant.”

Rory palmed their forehead. “Fuck. I am really tired.”

“I watched the first episode of season two on the treadmill this morning,” Finn said, thankful for the easy topic change. “And can I just say, what the fuck? Why would Ophy go anywhere near those wildebeests?”

“I told you!” Rory laughed. “It goes right off the rails in the second season.”

Finn grinned. “You’re right. I should have listened to you. But it started off so good!”

Rory nodded with a deep sigh. “Think of the time we’ve both wasted now. Maybe if we turned it into a drinking game…”

“Every time someone’s wig changes mid-scene.”

“Every time Colios pets his snake…”

“Every time Colios pets his other snake…”

They were both doing what could only be described as giggling when Luka wandered into the kitchen in search of coffee.

“Moreno!” Finn called. “Ready for the big day?”

“As ready as I can be.” Luka topped up his coffee and filled another mug from the cupboard. He looked a little tired, too.

“We’ve got this. Aleandro is going to love it,” Finn said.

“’Course he will!” Rory chimed in. “You’re both brilliant artists.”

Finn looked down at his shoes, cheeks flushing.

“Thanks, Rory. I guess we’ll find out soon!” Luka smiled and left with his coffee.

Rory leaned over to whisper, “He got a mug for Thomas, too. Cute.”

“Yeah, he’s pretty smitten.”

Rory picked up their coffee, eyes sparkling. “Anyway, text me when you’re watching episode two.”

“I will.” Just try to stop me.

* * * *

Aleandro Sartini was a warm, grandfatherly figure, straight out of a post-war English manor house—three-piece suit, pocket watch and everything—with dramatic Dracula-style black hair streaked with gray. His wife Penelope was a little cooler, beautiful but straight-faced with her hair pulled back in a firm twist. A third woman with long, wavy strawberry-blonde hair, who Ilona introduced as Georgia Black, the head of marketing for Sartini Wines, was with them.

Finn felt like he pulled off his presentation okay. He knew his team was strong, and even if he was a little scattered himself lately—a large portion of his brain filled with Thrill Island, not to mention a muscly god and his slinky python—the work spoke for itself.

Luka was awesome— man , that guy was good at getting people excited about his ideas. And Rory was brilliant, of course, rattling off an insane array of marketing figures from memory. Aleandro was clearly impressed, and the office got back to work after the meeting, happily abuzz.

Finn got a text from Tawney after lunch, and he headed straight to Luka’s office. “I hear congrats are in order?” he said. Tawney had let him know that Luka was officially co-leading the Sartini campaign with Thomas.

“Oh, yeah, thanks.” Luka tried to look modest, but was beaming.

“Good for you, bud. That’s great.” Finn looked at Thomas’ empty chair. “So things are going good working with him?”

“Mmhmm,” Luka squeaked. “Good. Great. I mean, fine. Yup.” He cleared his throat. “Hey, I’ve been meaning to ask. What’s your Halloween costume this year?”

Finn shrugged. “Don’t know yet.” He usually picked up something last minute from a costume shop that they still had in his size.

“What? Your party is a week away!”

“I’ll figure something out. What are you dressing up as?”

“Tawney and I are going as Danny and Sandy.”

Finn smirked. “You’re Sandy, obviously.”

“Obviously.”

“Poodle skirt or spandex?”

Luka sighed. “Spandex, even though…”

“Even though her transformation is super problematic?”

The next sigh was louder. “Yes, Finn. Let me have this. I look fucking hot in my costume.”

“I have no doubt. Is it…is it crazy if I ask Rory to do a costume with me?”

“The only thing crazy is how late it is to be finding a costume, to be honest.”

Finn imagined Rory frowning in confusion again when he proposed the idea. “No. I can’t. It’ll freak them out.”

Luka raised an eyebrow. “No, it won’t. You two are friends, right?”

Finn considered the question. All the texting lately, the way Rory was so happy to see him every morning… “Yeah, we’re friends.”

“If you could see the dumb smile on your face right now.”

Finn’s jaw flapped. “Fuck right off, Moreno!” was the best he could do before he stormed out of Luka’s office, leaving that asshole cackling to himself.