know he doesn’t seem like it now, but he’s a bloody good person. The best I know. I’m biased of course, since he’s my brother.” He chuckles before reining in his expression. “He didn’t care how angry our parents were when they found out he quit his job. All he cared about was helping me.”
Based on what Finn’s told me about Callum, even I have to admit that’s true.
“The way he went about things with you in the beginning was completely wrong,” Finn says. “I even told him that. I told him I didn’t want to stay at the spot on Makena Road because you were already there. But he wouldn’t budge.”
“Must be that douchebag finance persona he does so well.”
To my surprise, Finn laughs. He wipes his brow with his forearm. Tiny beads of sweat on his skin shine in the sunlight.
“When it comes to business, he’s a bloody shark. It’s good because it’s an effective strategy, but it’s awful, too, because he turns into a complete bellend.”
“You’re right about that.” I bite the inside of my cheek when I hear how borderline bitter I sound.
“Look, I know things are unpleasant right now. We’re technically enemies. And in a couple months one of us is going to have to leave the spot. But you’ve noticed a big increase in your revenue, too, haven’t you? It’s like people can’t get enough of this rivalry between you and Callum, and because of it, business is booming. I mean, it’s odd and a bit terrible, but it’s also brilliant.”
For a second I think about saying nothing. He and his brother are my competition. They don’t deserve to know the goings-on of my business. But they’re not blind. Every day they see the long lines at my food truck. They know just how well we’re doing, just like I know how well they’re doing.
“You could say that,” I say, shifting my weight from one foot to the other.
Finn shrugs. All the worry from his face disappears, and a gentle smile tugs at his mouth. “Then it’s kind of a good thing overall, isn’t it?”
I admit that it is.
His smile fades, and his eyes fall to the ground. “I’m truly sorry for how Callum’s been. He’s always been protective, especially after—”
A trio of elementary school–aged kids dart between us, screaming, “You’re it! No, you’re it!” We both stumble back a step. Finn chuckles, which makes me chuckle. I feel myself loosening from the inside out. He’s got a lovely, joyous laugh. I wonder if his brother laughs the same way.
Finn runs a hand through his hair. It’s shaggier than his brother’s, but they both share the same honey-blond hue. “I just wanted to apologize to you and your mum for how all this started. There’s no excuse for that, no matter how good it’s been for our businesses.”
My gaze falls to my feet. As much as I dislike Callum, his brother seems like a kind and decent person. He cared enough to apologize. And I can’t fault him for his brother’s personality. That’s not in his control.
“I appreciate that. Thank you,” I finally say. “I’m not a fan of how this all started, either, but you’re right. It’s working out so far for the both of us.”
He shoves his free hand into the pocket of his shorts.
I glance down. “I’m also not a fan of his blinding hatred of me, but I suppose there’s not much I can do about that currently.”
A smile plays across Finn’s lips. “You think he hates you?”
I nearly laugh at his shocked tone of voice. “Positive. Remember how he came at me that day we met? Remember every argument we’ve had in front of you? One hundred percent unadulterated hatred right there.”
Finn bites back a grin. He opens his mouth to speak, then immediately shuts it. “I’ll admit, Callum hates plenty of people. But you’re not one of them.”
Finn tips his boba tea at me before turning around and walking away. I’m tempted to holler at him so he can come back and explain what he meant, but he’s swallowed by the sea of tourists and locals navigating the market before I can utter a word.
I’m left standing in an invisible cloud of confusion. Every single time I’ve interacted with Callum, his animosity for me has radiated like steam from a volcanic fissure. Why in the world would Finn say otherwise?
I wander through the crowd, half-heartedly scanning items for sale. Does Finn know something I don’t? Did something change