Page 12 of Forever Finn

He opens his mouth to say something but is cut off when Deak’s voice cuts across the distance.

“Are you guys just out taking a Sunday stroll or what?” he complains. “I’m starving. I skipped breakfast, so unless you want to see me hulk out in the next fifteen minutes, you might want to pick up the pace.”

I clear my throat, ignoring the heavy tension between us. “Uh, he’s not kidding. I’ve never seen someone get hangry as quickly as Deak when he’s skipped breakfast and it’s past lunch.”

Finn snorts before he can stop himself. “Cody was just the same.”

Just for a fraction of a second, that same haunted shadow I saw earlier flickers across his features but is gone before I can blink. We turn and start walking again.

“So, you, Cody, and Reed, huh?” I say, to fill the silence.

“Yeah.” Finn huffs, laughing softly in remembrance. “I imagine the bay has only just recovered from the three of us.”

“Why, what did you do?” I ask, intrigued.

“Everything they told us not to.” He laughs, and his face completely transforms. I almost stumble but catch myself just in time. He’s beautiful when he smiles. I mean a real genuine smile, not the plastic Hollywood smile I’ve seen splashed across magazines and social media.

I shake my head, trying to clear my thoughts, but the truth is the man leaves me dazed, and I have an awful feeling I’m in way over my head when it comes to Finn Gallagher.

6

The morning has dawned bright and clear. It’s still early, but the rain from the day before has left everything looking as if it's been washed clean. I stop and stare out across the glistening water, breathing in the cool, fresh breeze, and some distant part of my soul soothes and settles.

Being at the restaurant yesterday had been like stepping back into my childhood, if it wasn’t for the fact that Sully is no longer there. It was good to see Mel though. Reed’s mum had always been a second mother to me. In fact, she probably took more interest in my life than my own mother did. My parents aren't bad people, just careless. I always felt they had me because it was expected rather than from any genuine desire to have a child.

It was good to see Beck too. Jesse’s twin has barely changed and is just as laid back and easy going as he always was. Jess and Deak were right about one thing though, Beck’s fiancé Nat is not only gorgeous but insanely talented in the kitchen. I can see why he took over running Sully’s.

It’s strange, life in the bay has definitely moved on in the fifteen years I’ve been gone, but also, it’s somehow stayed exactly the same and surprisingly, there’s a lot of comfort in that.

When I walked off the set of my latest film, I wasn’t exactly sure where I was heading. It was instinct that led me back to the UK and then back to the bay, and although I still haven’t figured out exactly why I’m here, I think part of the reason is that despite my parents’ passive neglect I was always happy here, well… I was… until Cody died.

This time, as the thought occurs to me, I don’t shy away from it. There’s a tight, painful pressure in my chest as I force myself to think of him. Not the night of the accident. I’m not ready to face that, but as I pick out a memory at random, I remember his face, his smile… his laugh. That wildness and freedom that was such an innate part of who he was. For a second, I laugh aloud, but then the pain and grief comes crashing back in on me once again.

Maybe Sky is right. It’s time to face my demons. Maybe that’s why I came back… because the weight of my secrets is slowly crushing me.

“Finn?” I turn to find Wyatt jogging down the path, and he slows and stops beside me, breathing heavily. “I thought that was you.” He smiles as he removes his earphones. “You’re an early riser. I thought all you Hollywood types were supposed to party til dawn and sleep til midday.”

“It’s true.” My mouth curves slowly. “I’m an absolute disgrace to my people.”

He tilts his head slightly, watching me as he reaches for his water bottle and takes a long swig. He tips his head back and I stare at the line of his throat, watching as he swallows slowly.

“Uh…” I clear my throat and start again. “I couldn’t sleep. I like it out here first thing. It’s peaceful.”

“I know what you mean.” He grasps the hem of his t-shirt and lifts it, wiping the sweat from his face and gifting me with a mouth-watering view of a set of abs so tightly ridged you could scrub your pants clean on them. “I run along the cliff walk most mornings. Usually, I don’t see another soul.”

“Sorry to break your streak.” I smile.

“I’m not.” He chuckles. “I seem to like your company.”

“Only because I’m less exhausting than Jesse and Deacon.” I snort.

“True.” He grins. “Don’t get me wrong, I love the pair of them, but sometimes…”

“Believe me, I get it.” I turn and start walking as he falls into step beside me. “So,” I begin conversationally, “you’re a long way from home. How’d you end up in the bay?”

“Oh, you know the age-old story.” He smiles slowly. “Boy meets boy, boy falls in love. Other boy uses boy for sex before marrying girl.”

“Shit really?” I wince. “Sorry.”