Page 7 of Ravenous

Hoping to change the subject, Ollie took another bite and let loose the hum he’d been holding back. “This pizza is delicious.”

Theminutethey left Ollie was going to work this off; even though he’d only had a little, he could already feel it pushing him down, tethering him to the ground. But soon he’d be free enough to run as much as he wanted and break that tether, become faster, as if he were air itself, slipping up and away from the dread that constantly chased him and the disaster that followed behind.

2

FINN

“Finn!I’msogladyou’re here! And you brought muffins? That’s why you’re my best friend.” Owen gave him a hug that included several pats on the back and then ushered him inside.

“Opie, what’s so important that you texted me…” Finn looked at his phone, absentmindedly toeing off his shoes by the door. “‘Come over as soon as you can, it’s good I promise’first thing in the morning?” Still holding the bag, he made his way to the couch and got comfortable, studying Liam, who paced back and forth. However, he wasn’t nervous; he was positively glowing.

Finn smirked. “Are you pregnant?”

“Oh my god.” Liam stopped short, giving Finn a ghastly look that made his laughter spill over until it echoed off the living room walls. Even Owen smothered a smile as he wrapped Liam in his arms, kissing him on the temple.

“Well, weareexpecting…” Owen began to chuckle and Liam twisted around to set that expression on him. “Expecting Liam to go to college-”

“Wait, what? Weren’t you always going to college?” Finn pulled a carrot cake muffin out of the bag and bit into it, tilting his head in confusion as he chewed.

“Yes. But now it’s happening sooner than I thought because I don’t have to get my GED. My old high school just got back to me. I was close to graduating when everything happened and since I was a good student with a college offer, they said I had extenuating circumstances and are mailing me my diploma!” Beaming, Liam bounced in excitement, taking Owen up and down with him.

“It should be here next week!” Owen added with glee.

“Which means I can start college this summer!” Liam finished, the two of them completing each other's sentences like it was the most natural thing in the world. Finn had seen it so many times that it wasn’t odd anymore, but it still hurt like a pinprick to the heart.

“That’s amazing, Liam!” Putting the muffin aside, he stood, brushed the crumbs from his shirt, and piled onto the hug, causing his friends to shout and almost tip over. It was chaos for a minute as Finn steered the bouncing group around and around until they broke apart. Liam and Owen ended up on the floor, and Finn tottered to the side before picking up his breakfast and resuming his seat on the couch. “Congratulations!”

“Thank you! I’m still in shock but I’m super happy.” Liam said from the carpet.

Getting up, Owen held out a hand and Liam accepted it, going from the floor straight into Owen’s arms again. “I’m happy for you too, Angel.” Owen tucked Liam’s bangs behind his ear and the touch was so comfortable, so gentle and affectionate, that Finn’s loneliness bubbled beneath the surface, making him grit his teeth. It wasn’t usually this bad but he was having one of his Lone Wolf days, where he’d woken up feeling bereft, forlorn, and disconnected. It was bound to happen sooner or later; Ollie’s effect had been fading for weeks, so Owen’s morning invite had come at the right time, pushing Finn out of bed and away from the glaring solitude of his place.

However, anything having to do with Owen was a double-edged sword since the canoodling was only making Finn feel worse.

He dropped his eyes to his barely eaten muffin but not before he caught the unbridled love in Liam’s gaze as he stared up at Owen, and Finn’s soul ached. He wanted that, wanted it so badly, and his loneliness surged, rising with a roar, the sound cutting through his mind and making his temples throb.

This wasn’t jealousy, not really. Finn was truly happy for Owen and Liam. It was more like his best friend finding love only reminded Finn of how alone he was, reinforcing a pattern of loneliness that had permeated his entire life. Sure, he had his uncle and Owen, and as an attractive, gregarious, optimist he also had plenty of casual partners and acquaintances but he always seemed to fall through the cracks when it came to anything serious. Aging made it more difficult to find new friends, never mind The One, and he began to wonder if he’d ever meet someone who understood him, who could touch the deepest parts of his heart and eradicate that loneliness.

And then Ollie stepped into his life.

Blond curls the color of sunshine, expressive powder blue eyes that had tugged on Finn’s heartstrings, high regal cheekbones, full lips that had turned Finn’s world on its axis, lips that were making Finn question so much because the minute that Ollie had kissed him, Finn’s desolationvanished,onlycoming back over the last few weeks.

“How do you feel about omelets?” Owen cut through Finn’s thoughts like a sledgehammer.

“What?” Finn looked up at Owen and Liam as they lightly swayed back and forth in their embrace. He wanted to go out to his car and scream.

“I mean I dragged you over here, I certainly owe you breakfast.” Owen untangled himself and went over to Finn, snooping through the bag. “Ooooo, you bought a blueberry one and a corn muffin for Liam. Thank you, Finn.”

Clearing his throat, Finn stood, giving the bag to Owen and hoping that his poker face was good enough to get out the door. “Sorry, Opie, I wish I could stay but I have a shift in an hour and I just stopped by to hear the good news.”

“Oh.” Little creases appeared on Owen’s forehead. He was picking up on something that Finn definitely needed to hide. Turning away, he hugged Liam.

“Congratulations again.” Finn tousled his hair when he pulled away. “Now it’s college application time!”

“Ugh, don’t remind me.” Liam smoothed down his bangs. “Have a good day at your various jobs!”

“Thanks.” Finn waved at them, heading to the front door and pulling on his shoes.

“Wait! You forgot your muffin!” Owen came over and handed it to him, the worry lines still apparent.

---