Page 7 of Always Him

Yes, we’ve been mistaken for a couple before. I just laughed it off because what? Men can’t show affection without being a couple? I hate that shit. I just want to be held and fed.

I want to be cared for.

Finn does that for me. He always has, and hopefully always will.

I could give two shits about people and their assumptions. All that matters is that I’m happy and he’s happy.

“God, they make the best scones here,” I say around my bite. “Like, how are they so delicious?”

Finn pops a piece into his mouth and rests his hand on my thigh, massaging it lightly.

“No idea. But you won’t be finding out.”

“They should really share their recipe,” I grumble, glancing at the counter where a cute blonde girl is serving customers. “Maybe that new chick will hand it over if I ask nicely enough.” I waggle my eyebrows.

Finn’s hand tightens on my leg slightly and I laugh softly. “Hey, I gotta put what God gave me to good use.”

I gesture to my body and Finn’s eyes slide across it. I mean I’m not as hot as Finn, but I got stuff to work with. I’m a bit taller than average with lean musculature, and even though I’m not as wide or as strong as Finn and my brother, Logan, I used to run track so I have some definition. Even if some of it slipped away while I was healing. But I’ve always been active, and I’ve been slowly building it back up.

Plus, my face is nice, I think.

I never had any complaints at least.

The only thing I’ve struggled with confidence-wise is losing my leg. I joke about my disability a lot; making light of the situation helps me to cope. But honestly, sometimes, I just don’t feel whole anymore. It makes me sad that I can’t do some of the things I used to do and I worry that people will think I’m a burden. I’m working on that in therapy though, and I know one day I’ll meet someone who will love me as I am, missing limb and all.

Maybe soon I’ll start dating.

But then again, it doesn’t really appeal to me. I haven’t really looked at someone like that in a while. Not since the accident really. I know that the trauma of losing my leg, of accepting that it happened, is part of the reason I’ve been so reluctant to put myself back out there. The other reason is…huh, I’m not really sure what else is holding me back. But to be honest, I don’t really care enough to analyze it at the moment. I’m happy enough with how things are now.

Finn removes his hand and gestures toward the counter.

“You’re welcome to try and pry it out of her, but you know how they are. They don’t share their recipes. You can flutter your pretty eyes at them all day long, but it won’t help.”

“Oh, you think I have pretty eyes?” I ask, fluttering my eyelids at him dramatically.

He huffs a small laugh and then gestures toward the girl behind the counter again. “Go ahead. Do it.”

Meh. I have no desire to get up and flirt with someone right now. It sounds exhausting. So I just scoot a little closer to Finn, practically on top of him now.

“Later,” I say, sipping at my drink again. “Anyways, did you know Logan and Theo are going to be at my parents’ house for a week? They’re bringing Curie.”

Finn throws back the rest of his drink—this man does not savor coffee like I do—and says, “Yeah, we should hang with them when they’re here. I know Logan has been bugging me about it. Wants us to get to know Theo better or some shit.”

“Yeah, and man, they are so cute together, right? Ugh, the way they look at each other,” I say and Finn shrugs.

“Yeah, I guess.”

“I mean, it was kind of a weird start, but I like Theo. He’s quiet, but nice. I think he’s good for Logan.”

Finn doesn’t say anything and I let him stew for a few moments. I know he struggled with the two of them being together. I was there while he was processing all of it. He felt like Logan was being used and hadn’t liked Theo in the beginning, but now, I think he realizes how much they need each other. How well they complement each other.

I finish off my latte and then let Finn feed me the last of the scone, his fingers lingering against my lips as I chew.

I purse them a little, kissing his fingertips lightly, and let out a sharp laugh. Because his eyes narrow in annoyance and something else I can’t quite make out.

Well, too bad, Finn. I’m kissing you now. Try and stop me.

“Alright.” I sit up a little and pat my stomach. “I’m going to order a cup to go and then we can go to my parents’. Dad has been bugging us to stop by.”

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