'Til There Was You - Jerry Cole Page 0,63

couldn’t fathom why someone would be so against the idea. Being in a relationship like he was with Finn was the epitome of happiness. Why fight it?

“Whatever,” Austin continued. “I’m just looking forward to going back.”

Unfortunately for Austin, there was no going back. No sooner had their drinks arrived did Michael receive a phone call from New World Publication. Apparently, Finn’s book had started trending up in New York City and New Jersey, and they wanted him there immediately to push it. What this meant was a last-minute cancellation of flights, booking new ones, and an open-ended ticket that wouldn’t see him not going home for at least another two weeks... maybe even longer.

“Do you have any idea how long it’ll be?” Austin had his phone in hand, ready to dial Finn. He didn’t want to call until he had an answer, something to keep Finn’s mind at bay.

Michael shrugged but didn’t respond. He was busy texting and emailing hotels, bookstores and anyone else he needed to in order to make this last-minute change work.

Austin so wanted to be back in Australia with Finn... so very much. But at the moment, this was more important. And the good thing about Finn, one of the things he loved about him, was that he knew he’d understand. At least he hoped.

As for not seeing him for another two weeks? It was going to be hard, damn difficult really, but their relationship was strong and would easily withstand this. He knew it and he knew Finn knew it too... but either way, as he dialed Finn’s number, he mentally told himself to remind Finn of this fact. The man was bound to be a little upset. Best to let him know that Austin would be coming back. For Finn, he always would.

Chapter Eighteen

What had Finn become? A shadow of his former self. A mirage of the person he used to be? A lovesick puppy that couldn’t function without his significant other by his side? That was exactly what Finn had turned into over the past month, and fucking hell did he hate himself for it.

Yet he couldn’t stop! It was four-thirty in the afternoon on a Saturday. The weather outside was perfect. He had plans to briefly see his son later on, as he now always did. Work was going well. He was fit. He was healthy. He technically had a boyfriend that loved him. Really, everything in his life was going about as well as it could... and yet Finn was locked up inside his house, sitting on his couch, staring at his cell phone as he waited for it to ring.

For thirty minutes now he had been staring at that phone. For thirty long, painful minutes he had stared, checked the time, double checked that the phone actually worked, did some more staring and all while playing dozens of terrifyingly real scenarios out in his head as to why his phone wasn’t ringing yet. Each scenario was worse than the last and each left him with a feeling in his stomach that had him sure he was about to throw up.

It was Austin he was waiting on, of course. Who else could possibly have him feeling this way? At four thirty in the afternoon everyday was their scheduled phone call and up until today, Austin had never once been late. Even if it were just a quick call to say hello, no more than thirty seconds long, he would still make the call. One time he even sent a text! But at least that was something. It was one thirty in the morning where Austin was, so Finn was willing to give him some leave way. But to not contact him at all?! That was a bridge too far.

Finn’s entire leg was going bananas as he waited. He checked the time again – four-thirty-three in the afternoon. He unlocked his phone and again made sure it was working. He then sent a message to Austin, just a question mark, just a prompt to let him know that he was waiting. He then put the phone back down in front of him and... well, he continued to wait!

Austin was on a book tour around the US, and truly, Finn could not have been happier for him. How could he not be? When Finn had first met Austin, the kid was a mess. He had no aspirations, no motivations and no real life to speak of. Two weeks after the two started working