Chapter 14 #2
“Right,” he muttered to himself, adjusting his glasses with a rueful smile.
The walk home wasn’t long, maybe twenty minutes through the quiet neighborhood streets.
He shoved his hands in his pockets and started walking, his mind replaying moments from the night before with each step.
The chilly morning air cleared his head, but did nothing to dampen the warmth that had settled in his chest since waking up in Finn’s arms.
He wasn’t even a block away when Jules texted, asking him if he wanted to grab breakfast.
Be there soon.
“So,” Jules said, sliding into the booth across from Ollie at Brew & Barrel, “based on that dopey smile, I’m guessing last night went well?”
Ollie felt heat rush to his face. “Is it that obvious?”
“Honey, you’re practically glowing. I’m surprised the health department hasn’t quarantined you for radioactivity.” Jules grinned, signaling to Sam for coffee. “Details, please. And don’t skimp on the good parts.”
“I’m not giving you a play-by-play,” Ollie protested, though he couldn’t keep the smile from his face. “But yes, it was…really good. Better than good. Kind of amazing, actually.”
Jules’s expression softened. “I’m happy for you, Ol. You deserve this.”
“Thanks,” Ollie said, wrapping his hands around his mug. “It feels different, you know? Not like the beginning of something casual.”
“Finn seems like the type who doesn’t do casual,” Jules observed. “Then again, he’s not really the type to do serious either. But if I had to peg him as one or the other, he’s definitely the type to go all-in once he’s interested in someone.”
“That’s what scares me a little,” Ollie admitted. “What if I’m not worth that level of commitment? What if I mess this up?”
Jules reached across the table, squeezing his hand. “Or what if you don’t? What if this is exactly where you’re supposed to be?”
Ollie sighed, staring into his coffee. “Brooklyn came home early this morning. Found us having breakfast in the kitchen.”
“Ouch.” Jules winced. “How’d that go?”
“Not terrible? But not great either. She was cautious. Watching us like she was trying to figure out how she felt about seeing another man wearing her dad’s shirt first thing in the morning.
” Ollie ran a hand through his hair. “I want her to like me, Jules. Not just because she’s Finn’s daughter, but because she’s this amazing, smart kid who deserves to feel secure in her own home.
I don’t want to be another adult she has to accommodate. ”
“Give her time,” Jules advised. “Trust doesn’t happen overnight, especially for teenagers. She’s protective of her dad, and that’s a good thing.”
“I know,” Ollie said. “I just don’t want to mess this up. Any of it. The thing with Finn, his relationship with Brooklyn, the whole delicate balance they’ve built.”
Jules studied him for a moment, their expression thoughtful. “You know what your problem is, Ollie? You’re always so busy worrying about taking up too much space that you forget you deserve to be there in the first place.”
The observation hit with uncomfortable precision. Ollie looked away, unable to meet Jules’s knowing gaze.
“You’re not an intruder,” Jules continued gently. “You’re not forcing your way into their lives. Finn invited you in. That matters.”
“But what if I want more than he can give?” Ollie asked, voicing the fear that had been lurking beneath his excitement. “What if I’m too much, too soon? What if I scare him off by wanting a real relationship when he’s just looking for… I don’t know, something simpler?”
“Then you’ll talk about it like adults,” Jules said firmly. “But from where I’m standing, Finn wouldn’t have brought you home and let you into his space if he wasn’t serious about this.”
Ollie wanted to believe that, desperately. “Maybe you’re right.”
“I usually am,” Jules said with a grin. “Look, relationships are messy. Families are messy. There’s no perfect way to navigate this. But you care about both of them, and that counts for a lot.”
“I do,” Ollie admitted. “I really do.”
“Then trust that. Trust yourself. And for God’s sake, stop assuming you’re going to be too much for someone who clearly thinks you’re exactly enough.”
Ollie smiled, feeling some of the tension ease from his shoulders. “When did you get so wise?”
“I’ve always been wise. You’ve just been too busy overthinking everything to notice.
” Jules took a sip of their coffee. Ollie didn’t bother pointing out it wasn’t that long ago when their roles were reversed and he was trying to help yank Jules’s head out of their ass.
“Now, can we please talk about something more important, like whether Finn is as good in bed as he looks like he would be?”
“Jules!” Ollie sputtered, nearly choking on his coffee.
“What? It’s a legitimate question. For research purposes.”
Despite himself, Ollie laughed, the sound releasing some of the anxiety that had been building in his chest. “Let’s just say I have no complaints.”
Jules’s eyebrows shot up. “Interesting. Very interesting.”
As they settled into an easier conversation, Ollie felt his phone vibrate with a text. He glanced down to see Finn’s name on the screen.
Brooklyn’s asking if you like sci-fi movies. She’s in the mood for a movie night. No pressure, but you’re welcome to join us if you want.
Something warm unfurled in Ollie’s chest—not just at the invitation, but at the knowledge that Brooklyn had been the one to suggest it. It wasn’t acceptance, not yet, but it was an opening. A possibility.
I’d love to.
What time should I come over?
As he waited for Finn’s response, Ollie caught Jules watching him with a knowing smile.
“Good news?” they asked.
“Maybe,” Ollie said, unable to keep the hope from his voice. It was ridiculous how much Brooklyn’s acceptance of him meant.