Page 54 of Ravenous

“Because he’s kinda thin. Is he dealing with IBS or some shit? Does he need extra time off like Liam did?”

Frowning, Finn leaned forward, his heart in his throat. It was one thing for the people around Ollie to notice but when someone like John immediately honed in on Ollie’s issues? It upped Finn’s concern to nuclear levels. “No…it’s not that.”

“Then is henoteating? On purpose?”

Finn’s eyes stung and he looked down, blinking. Of all people,Johnhad pinned it right on the nose.

“Y-You -” Finn cleared his throat, raised his head, and met John’s shrewd beady gaze again. There wasn’t a lot of emotion there but he could swear he saw a flicker of understanding. “You sound like you know something about this.”

“Yeah, I do. My niece, Fiona? She’s been anorexic for years and, no offense Cooper, your boy kinda reminds me of her.” John shook his head with a frown. “Or what she was like before things got scary. Has he lost any hair yet?”

Finn’s body went cold. “Not that I know of.”

“You should get him to see someonebeforethat happens. He’s on the health insurance, right? Because Parker will be up in my shit if he’s not.”

Finn’s heart twisted, his hands sweaty as the reality of Ollie’s problems came barreling down at him. “Do you think Ollie is anorexic?”

“I’m not a fucking doctor, Cooper. Use the internet, there’s a dozen eating disorders out there, he could have any one of ’em. And far be it for me to give out love advice but this is a long haul so decide if you wanna sign up for that.” The office chair creaked as John tilted back, studying Finn, who was too stunned to speak. “But let me know if your boy needs anything. He can have time off, work from home, I don’t give a shit. As long as he keeps this place hoppin’? He can stay. Now,” John sighed, hauling himself to his feet. “I’ve been here for forty-five minutes, I’m done. Time to hit the greens!”

Dazed and blindsided, Finn barely remembered leaving John’s office but his unconscious steered him correctly; instead of going back to Ollie, Finn ended up outside, around the back of the building in his usualdon’t bother mespot. His phone pinged; on autopilot, he pulled it from his pocket, staring at the words across the lock screen.

How did it go?A kissy-face emoji followed the sentence.

Blinking down at the text, Finn’s eyes settled on Ollie’s name, the letters blurring as he let go of the tears he’d wanted to shed earlier. Sniffling, he wiped at his face and typed out a quick message, unable to leave Ollie hanging.

It was fine. He wanted to talk about the bus. I have to help outside, I’ll be around later.He finished with two hearts that had no space between them.

Within seconds, Ollie sent him a GIF of a small boy giving a salute.

Putting his cell away, Finn slid down the side of the building, sitting on the grass. The tears had been short-lived; however, Finn rarely cried, so his response was telling. When Owen had almost thrown their friendship away, getting angry at Finn for pointing out Liam’s drug use and icing him out for weeks, Finn had broken down for about thirty seconds. But before that? He might have cried in high school but he wasn’t sure.

John had told him to evaluate whether he wanted to go down this road with Ollie but, to Finn, leaving now would be the height of cowardice. Being with someone meant always staying by their side, in both joyandsorrow. Finn knew all about people who didn’t stay, and he didn’t want to be part of that club. Ollie needed someone to care for him, a knight in shining armor, or mildly rusty armor. Finn didn’t see himself as Ollie did but he would try his best to live up to that image.

A low rumbling growl let Finn know that he was hungry and he stood, following the outside of the building until he came to the side door that was always propped open. Nodding at a few of the wait staff, Finn walked through a short foyer and into The Pointe’s kitchen.

“Sup, Finn!” Angelo called out from the other side of the room. “I got a few plates in the fridge from last night if you wanna nuke ’em. I got my hands full with prep over here.”

“Thanks, man!” Finn called out, glad that Angelo was distracted because he needed to gather his thoughts.

Watching his eggplant parmigiana spin around in the microwave, it wasn’t lost on Finn thathewas eating properly, and how much willpower Ollie must have to deny himself this basic need. Disturbed, Finn decided that he’d address everything tomorrow. It sounded like more procrastination but he didn’t want to discuss somethingthisprivate at work; also, giving Ollie a relaxing happy day out and getting him in a good mood might help Finn ease into the subject.

Maybe he should invite Ollie over. In the few months they’d dated, they’d either gone out or stayed in at Ollie’s so a change of scenery might do them good. Finn could use the familiarity of his own home to bolster him and make him brave enough to address his concerns. But would Ollie be receptive?

“Hey Finn, how’s it going?” Angelo popped up beside him and they exchanged a fist bump. He was taller, with a shaved head and an impressive beard that was currently hiding in a net.

“I’m hanging in there. I heard we’re booked two years out now.” The microwave beeped and Finn grabbed a potholder, taking his plate out.

“Yeah, it’s nuts.” Angelo shook his head, hands on his hips. “I’m thinking about hiring another sous chef.”

“Really? Wow. It’s gonna be busy all the time I guess.” Finn dug into the potatoes but they tasted lifeless under his mood.

“Sure is.” Angelo started walking back toward prep but turned around. “Oh, and tell Ollie he doesn’t have to bring food from home. We have more than enough to go around here.”

“What?” Finn dropped the fork into his plate.

“I keep offering him one of the dinners but he says he’s on some kind of diet. Is he gluten-free? Vegan? I can whip him up anything.” Angelo cracked his knuckles like he enjoyed the challenge. Finn wanted to be grateful but this short conversation only exacerbated his stress, adding fuel to a fire that was growing more intense by the hour.

Finn plastered on a smile. “I’ll tell him. He’s pretty strict about what he eats but I’ll pass on the word, thanks Angelo!” With that, he grabbed the plate and left the way he came, going back to his outside corner.

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