Page 97 of Ravenous

“Are you going back to The Pointe?” Sophie’s stoic nature kept the questions casual, not invasive.

“Mmhmm,” Ollie nodded eagerly. “Once I settle in at Finn’s, I’ll do part time. It’s the middle of wedding season and Dylan is trying as my replacement, but he’s um…”

“Whenever he does a Live he forgets to shut it off and he either smokes a joint outside or uses the bathroom.” Finn enjoyed the horror that flickered across Sophie’s face.

“He also posted a few pictures of his guitar collection.” Ollie bit his lip, raising his eyebrows.

“And his car,” Finn added.

Ollie stroked his chin, looking at the sky. “Hedoeshave a nice car.”

“You two should take that act on the road,” Sophie deadpanned, causing Ollie to burst out laughing, and he dragged Finn right down with him.

Once he regained his breath, Finn excused himself, wanting to speak with his uncle, who looked very comfortable reclined in one of the shaded lounge chairs. As promised, Uncle Joe had stopped drinking, gotten a bit fitter, and moved to edibles, which eased Finn’s soul. Like he’d said to Ollie, tomorrow wasn’t guaranteed, but Finn would take every single moment he could with his uncledad, which was easier to do now that he lived closer.

“I thought you’d forgotten about me, Nephewson.” Joe toasted with his ginger ale as Finn strolled over.

“Who are you, again?” Smirking, Finn sat in the chair beside him, glancing around. “Where did Owen and Liam go?”

“To grab some food.” He pointed at one of the far tables, where a healthy selection of fruit, bread, and cheeses had been laid out, a cooler of waters and light sodas perched on either end. Honestly, The Clarks had thought of the perfect place, something reminiscent of Ollie’s childhood without the pressure of a meal, or driving the hour south to his childhood home, and Ollie appeared delighted by the choice, energetic and joyful, a bright living flower that constantly drew Finn’s attention.

“He looks a ton better than when I met him.” Joe had followed Finn’s gaze. “You did good, Finn. He’s a strong man. After I got out of the hospital, Ron called, complaining about him, saying he was aggressive and had somehow turned you gay and some other pig-headed bullshit.”

“I’m sorry, Uncle Joe, but he had it coming-” Finn went silent as Joe held up a hand.

“And you know what I told him?” He sat up, far more easily than he had in the past, his eyes intense. “I told him to go fuck himself.”

“You…what?” Finn pulled back a little, impressed. “You didwhat?”

“I told him to go fuck himself and to never bother me or you again.” Joe nodded once, his expression stern and serious, so unlike his usual self that it took a moment for what he said to sink in.

And when it did, Finn laughed like a lunatic, not caring that everyone looked over. “That is the best thingever. You are the best thing ever, well, next to Ollie. What did he say after that?”

“I don’t know,” Joe shrugged, showing off his shiny new spine. “Because I hung up on him.”

“You’re my hero.” Finally free of his awful excuse for a bio dad, Finn shot out of his seat, giving his uncle a hug.

“What’s going on?” Owen appeared, holding a full plate, Liam right behind him. “The tennis court’s over there if you’re going to make a racket.”

“Oh, I forgot you were like this.” Joe’s sarcastic tone balanced out Liam’s giggles.

“We were discussing family stuff.” Finn gave them each a fist bump as they settled on the picnic bench next to him, sharing the plate like lovebirds, of course. “By the way, thanks again for helping me move Ollie in.”

“I owed you one.” Owen sampled some of the cantaloupe. “Have you unpacked anything?”

“The important stuff, but I want Ollie’s opinion on a lot of it. It’s not my place anymore, it’s ours.” No longer was he a singular isolated entity, driving to the lookout and gazing at the stars in an attempt to feel connected; now he had actual friends, surprise siblings, and an extraordinary soulmate, someone to share his life with.

“Aww,” Liam shot him a sincere smile, “I’m so happy for the two of you.”

“Thanks, but I really should be thankingyoufor being such a good friend to Ollie. You visited him a lot too.” Finn had even used Liam as a messenger whenever work had made him late.

“I understood a lot of what he was going through. I mean, I was terrified doing a day program and Olliestayedthere for months. How could I let my best friend go through something like that alone? You know?” Determination flared in Liam’s eyes and Finn knew, right then and there, that he was going to make an amazing lawyer. “And in a way, I think things are harder for him. When someone at school offers me an Adderall, I can just walk away. But Ollie can’t avoid food. He has to maintain a relationship with something that troubles him.”

“Smart lad.” Joe gave Liam an approving nod and then shifted his gaze to Owen. “Keep him. You won’t get anyone better with that sense of humor.”

“You’re not wrong.” Owen’s fast agreement had Finn laughing again and it spread through the group until Joe put his finger up.

“Oh! I almost forgot.” Picking up a small cooler bag, he presented it to Finn. “I went up to the cabin yesterday to get a few things and guess where I stopped?”

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