Finn's Fantasy (Maine Men #1) - K.C. Wells Page 0,28

is something. Spill.”

“There’s this guy…”

Seb hooted. “Isn’t there always? Who is he? How’d you meet him?”

“Whoa, not so fast.” Finn related how he’d watched Joel from afar, and how they’d finally met, not forgetting the part where he could have sworn Joel was checking him out while they discussed the deck.

“So he’s divorced?”

“Sounds like it. It doesn’t appear to have been a bad break-up, judging by how they looked when they walked by the house. They seemed… happy. Relaxed. And it’s not as if I’m gonna make a move on a straight guy, so I don’t even know why I’m telling you about him.”

“You’re telling me because you’re interested in him, and there’s nothing wrong with that.” Seb chuckled. “It gives you something to think about on those long, cold nights, right?”

Finn laughed. “Yeah, you know me way too well.”

“Did you ever stop to think he might be bi? That might account for him checking you out—if that’s what he was doing.”

In the days since, Finn had come to the conclusion he’d imagined those glances. “You know what? I’m not gonna think about this. Why torture myself? I’m just gonna go there, get the job done, and leave.”

“Wait—you’re going there?”

Finn let out a noise of exasperation. “Did you miss the part where I said I’m going to build him a new deck? I’m going over there Saturday to show him how to use the saw, so he can break up the old deck.”

“Okay, so you’re going to build his deck. And in the meantime, you get to work in his yard, play with his dog, watch him up close…” Seb cackled. “Just don’t get a boner while you’re doing it.”

“Okay, we’re done. Get your lesson plan ready, Mr. Teacher. No more procrastination.”

“You can be real evil, you know that?”

“Yup. But you know I love ya.”

Seb went quiet for a second. “Love you too, man. You and the rest of our little gang. Are you going to Grammy’s birthday party? I told Levi I’ll be there. School finishes for the summer the week before.”

“I’ll be there. But I think we need to plan a get-together just for us. One where we can catch up.”

“I’m up for that. You can all stay at my place. Of course, some of you will end up sleeping on the floor, unless we camp out in the backyard.” He chuckled. “Because I know how much you love camping.”

“Dork.”

“Wow, such restraint. I thought that would at least merit a Bitch.”

Finn laughed. “You have work to do. Talk soon?”

“You know it. Have fun with Joel Saturday.” He disconnected before Finn could respond.

Finn wasn’t sure how much fun he could expect from a quick session on how to use power tools, but hey, at least he’d get to be around the guy for a while.

And Bramble. Don’t forget Bramble. That dog was adorable. Then he sighed. Who am I kidding? They both are.

Joel was funny, gorgeous—and unattainable. Talk about torture…

Chapter Eight

Joel took one final look around the place to make sure everything was as it should be. Carrie was due any minute, and Joel’s heart was pounding. The last five months had been hard on him. He knew what he wanted—for the kids to feel comfortable enough to visit whenever they felt like it—but that would rely on Nate’s willingness to make the trip.

I think we’re still a way off that.

He knew what Carrie feared—that he was skating a thin line by not telling them everything. ‘Wait too long,’ she’d said, ‘and they’ll believe you don’t trust them enough.’ Nate wasn’t coping with the divorce. Surely learning Joel was gay would only aggravate the situation.

Bramble got up from his bed and ran to the door, his tail wagging. He pawed at it with a soft whine.

“Are they here, boy?” Joel peered through the window. Sure enough, Nate’s car was in the driveway, and Laura was already heading toward them. No sooner had Joel let her in, than she bolted toward the back of the house, Bramble dashing after her.

Joel laughed. “Going someplace? Don’t I even get a Hi, Dad?”

“You’ll be lucky,” Carrie said as she came through the door, Nate behind her. “All she’s been talking about the whole trip is attacking that deck. I had no idea we’d raised such a destructive daughter.” She kissed Joel on the cheek.

Nate gave him a nod. “Hey, Dad.”

Joel opened his mouth to ask how the drive had been, but Laura’s plaintive cry cut him off. “I want to see what I’m