'Til There Was You - Jerry Cole Page 0,57

could never have dreamed.

Austin stared down at the hand. His breathing was heavy, but Finn’s was thunderous. His brow was sweating, but Finn’s was drenched. His heart was beating, but Finn’s was... everything that Austin was feeling, Finn seemed to be feeling it too, only tenfold. This was the definition of putting oneself on the line. How could Austin possibly turn him down?

So, he didn’t. He quickly glanced over to where Freddy had been sitting, only to see that his ex-boyfriend was now gone. He hadn't even noticed! Then, a final steadying breath and Austin placed his hand in Finn’s. The moment he did, Finn closed his hand and all that tension, all the panic, nervousness and everything else seemed to fade away.

What was going to happen after this, Austin had no idea. All he knew was that in this very moment, these few seconds, he’d never been so happy. If only it could last forever.

Chapter Sixteen

It was Saturday evening, just past six o’clock, and as was always the case now, Finn had plans. Once upon a time, plans on a Saturday usually involved a hot date, a pre-organized sexual encounter, or both! Something promiscuous certainly, and something that would see him cruise into Sunday both exhausted and happy. Finn’s plans tonight could not have been further from this.

Tonight would start at six fifteen in the evening with his son, Zac, being dropped off at his apartment. That’s right, his son was being dropped off by his mother on her own accord to spend the night. The entire night, from six fifteen in the evening right on through to the next morning when Finn dropped him back off at home, at any time, so long as it was before lunch. He basically had free reign with him, something that would have been unheard of even three months ago.

Where six fifteen was where the night started, it was at seven o’clock when things really got going. This was when Austin had said he would be arriving, and Austin was never late. His plans tonight with Austin revolved around Zac, of course, but that was the point. The three men would hang out, bond, chat, watch movies, and do whatever the hell they felt like. It was to be a chilled Saturday evening, and God damn, Finn could not wait.

Zac arrived a few minutes early, which Finn was grateful for. Any chance to spend more time with his son. Plus, things had been going to well recently that he relished in every extra second he got to spend with his son. He also loved that Zac seemed to enjoy it too.

“What have you got planned for tonight?” Angela asked as Zac pulled himself free of his mother, pushed past Finn and hurried on inside toward the couch. It was like that now. No awkwardness, no wondering what to do or say. He and Zac were as close as ever.

“Oh, I was thinking of hiring some strippers, and then maybe a few hours of poker with the boys. That kind of thing,” Finn joked.

“Funny,” Angela said back with zero emotion in both her face and tone.

“We’re just watching movies.” Finn held his hands up in defense.

“And dinner?” she pressed pointedly.

“Austin is coming around soon, and then we’ll cook – healthy, don’t worry. I want Zac to grow at least a few inches taller than he is now... for the ladies,” he finished with a wink.

“Call me tomorrow when you know what time you’re dropping him back off.”

“Will do.” He tried for a smile, to which Angela half-smiled, half-rolled her eyes. The two were closer than they had been in years... but that wasn’t saying much. Although she was much more lax with him and Zac now, she was still ice cold toward Finn. Not that he gave a damn.

There was once a time where the idea of hanging out with his son alone would have terrified Finn. Now he loved it. For the next forty-five minutes, he and Zac sat together on the couch half talking, half watching tv, half playing with the Nintendo DS he bought for him for his birthday. There was no longer any tension or much of anything. It was the most natural feeling in the world really... well, the second most.

As much as Finn loved hanging out with his son, he had to admit that he still preferred the company of Austin. That was just a given. And when he heard Austin knocking on that front door, he