Page 44 of Ravenous

“Just hit the ball.” One came soaring at them and Finn did the best thing he could do, he went languid and allowed Ollie to lead. That resulted in Finn hitting the cleanest backhand of his life.

“Wow. You really know what you’re doing,” Finn marveled. “You’re a man of many talents.”

Ollie pressed his forehead into Finn’s back and somehow Finn could tell that he was smiling. “Let’s do a few more.”

They clung together long after Finn figured out the stance and swing but he wasn’t going to complain. Ollie’s body against his own was like heaven but eventually he turned his head, looking over his shoulder. “If we keep doing this we’re going to get thrown out.”

“Why would we get thrown out?” Ollie teased and Finn shoved his butt back, giving it a quick grind which caused Ollie to bark out a laugh.

“Okay, okay. I guess you should try a few on your own.” He let go and Finn’s back immediately felt cold, but he was determined. He wanted to retain the lesson, and he was successful, for he hit the next ball over the net as well as the four that followed.

“Awesome! You’re a great student,” Ollie cheered from the side. Then he blinked, shook his head, and stumbled a little.

“Ollie!” Finn was next to him in an instant, putting an arm around him and Ollie took a deep breath, shaking his head again, trying to steady himself.

“I’m fine. Sorry, I guess I used up too much energy.” He seemed embarrassed and a little afraid, so Finn rubbed his back, trying to soothe. It was a little bony under his palm, the vertebrae somewhat prominent.

“How about we sit down?” With one arm around Ollie’s waist and another holding his elbow, Finn guided him back to the bench.

“Really. I’m fine. I’m sorry-”

“Why are you apologizing?” Finn sat next to him, rifling through his bag. “Now, I know you only had breakfast and coffee so how about we fuel for a bit? Would you like the rest of my muffin? Or one of the granola bars I brought?” Finn pulled three out, holding them in one hand while he grabbed the bag with the muffin in his other, giving it a quick shake.

It should have been a simple choice. But Ollie looked like he was being cross-examined in court. He tried to hide it but his discomfort was palpable. “Can I see the granola bars?”

“Sure.” Finn handed them over, hoping that he was acting normal because his mind was racing. Wasfoodthe problem? Did Ollie have food issues?

He watched as Ollie carefully read the labels. Absently, he twirled a curl around his finger, the movement causing his T-shirt to hang low, close to slipping off his shoulder, and the sharp collarbone it revealed was like a slap to the face. Suddenly, the facts in Finn’s brain reshuffled and they began to make sense.

Ollie was thin. He’d lost weight since they met and even more over the last few weeks. He always assured Finn that he’d eaten earlier or was stuffed from a previous meal, and when Ollie actuallydideat, it was minimal. He consistently ordered the healthiest, most unfun item off the menu and left more than half his plate; plus, he exercised a lot more than the average person. And this was the third time that he’d gotten dizzy or passed out in Finn’s presence.

The thing he sensed below the surface? It was coming up for air. Showing Finn exactly what was making Ollie so tired and harried. He wasn’t eating. Butwhy?

“I’ll take this one.” Ollie selected the green-wrapped granola bar, which was the smallest, and tried to hand the other two back.

“You can have all of them.” Finn waved him off, digging through the bag. “I still have my muffin.”

“…thanks.” Ollie placed the extra bars on the seat next to him and opened the chosen one, taking a tiny bite. As he chewed, his eyes shifted to Finn’s. “Let me see how I feel after this. I want to save my appetite for dinner.”

That only increased Finn’s unease but he couldn’t let it show, not right now, not until he had more facts. “All right.” Keeping his tone light, he shifted his gaze away, knowing exactly who he needed to talk to.

“She’s a beauty.” Finn’s voice bounced around the inside of The Pointe’s new shuttle bus. The vehicle was big enough for fourteen people, sporting faux leather seats that appeared high-end but were also easy to clean. Up front sat a top-notch stereo system as well as a comfortable driving chair that Finn was currently testing, and the exterior had been painted white, with“Love is The Pointe of Life”spelled out in gold lettering on each side, layered over a silhouette of the wedding hall.

“I’m very happy with everything, especially the logo.” Standing toward the back, Owen glanced around and nodded his head, satisfied. “And I’ll be even more happy when she’s done because I’ve sold some packages for next month that include this bus.”

“Don’t worry, Opie, she’ll be ready before that.” Finn gave him a thumbs-up, for only a few small tweaks were needed before he could truly call himself the shuttle driver.

“This is the prettiest wedding van I’ve ever seen!” Liam climbed the few stairs to the inside, eyes bright and cheeks flushed with joy, still glowing from the email he’d gotten earlier. In his excitement, he’d rushed over to The Pointe to squeal and hug everyone and had ended up tagging along with Owen and Finn once the excitement had died down.

“Congratulations again, Liam.” Finn gave him a high five.

“Thanks. I still can’t believe I got accepted to college!” Hitting the offered palm with an audible slap, he sat in one of the seats, giving it a test bounce.

“Don’t be surprised. I knew it was a sure thing.” Owen moved to the front of the bus. “Whywouldn’tthey take you? You’re smart, ambitious, and hard-working. They know a prize student when they see one.”

“Owen…” The tops of Liam’s cheeks turned pink and Owen scooped him up, becoming Liam’s new seat as he placed Liam on his lap, wrapping his arms around him and putting his chin on Liam’s shoulder. As usual, they were being disgustingly cute but it no longer twinged Finn’s heart, for Ollie had destroyed the sting of loneliness. Now, all he wanted was Ollie in his lap, just like that.

“So, when’s the double date?” Owen winked at Finn as Liam burst out laughing.

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