I FOUND LOVE IN CALIFORNIA 6: Becoming Obsessed

“Finley,” I said as I reached him. “What are you doing here?”

Finley’s eyes stayed locked on me as he answered, his mouth curving faintly. “William Woollett Jr. Aquatics,” he said, glancing around as if the answer were obvious.

I shrugged, pretending ease, and started walking toward the exit. “Cool,” I replied, tone light.

“Wait. What?” Finley said, confusion slipping into his expression as he turned towards me. “Alex, what have I done?”

“Nothing,” I said without stopping. “If you want to swim, you can go on. I’m going home.”

“Finley shrugged once, then glanced at Marco, catching the jealousy in his stare before turning away and hurrying to catch up with me.”

“Not even a hug?” he asked, opening his arms dramatically before dropping them again, bouncing a little as he walked closer. “That's cold already?”

I scoffed, shaking my head. “Talking stage?” I said, smirking. “Bro, go hug a transformer. It will give you all the spark, heat, tingles…”

“You are not a good person,” Finley cut in, laughing, and his laugh pulled one out of me too. He slipped an arm around my waist as we walked, and I glanced up at him before looking forward again, smiling.

“So,” Finley said, tone easing, “the other day, the keys your mom sent me to give you.” I scoffed, and Finley turned his head to look at me, then forward again.

“It was deliberate,” he added, amusement threading his voice. “So that we both might…”

“Obviously,” I cut in. “She couldn’t resist having a charming prince as a son in law.”

Finley laughed softly, and it made him look even more handsome. I watched his smile and felt my attention flare again, smiled back before looking ahead.

“That means…” Finley started.

“They know,” I said quietly, cutting him off. We walked in silence for a moment.

“I wish mine would accept it if I ever open up to them,” Finley said, his voice lowering. “Especially my dad…” He paused, emotion tightening his features, his eyes darkening. “I don’t know why he hates gays so much. Like he lives for it.”

I stopped and stepped in front of him, forcing him to halt. Without a word, I leaned in and wrapped my arms around him, hands settling at his waist. His breath hitched, and the tension in his body eased as he wrapped his hands around me in return. When we pulled back, we held each other’s gaze for a moment, until I broke it, glancing around in search of his car.

“Stretch your eyes no more,” Finley said with a small smile. “You will be driving us home.”

I hesitated, weighing the moment, then suddenly reached out and flicked my hand toward his bulge. Finley jerked back with a sharp gasp, hips snapping away as both hands flew down to cover himself. His face twisted into a dramatic expression that sent me into laughter. I took a few steps away, still laughing, then noticed him standing there staring at me.

I walked back, wrapped my arms around his back, and pushed him forward with a firm hand. My laughter softened into breathless chuckles until he finally started moving again.

“I have something to tell you,” Finley said as we neared the parking area.

I glanced at him, then forward. “Go on.”

“It’s a secret,” Finley added.

“I cross my heart,” I said lightly.

Finley turned to me, then his focus caught on something behind me. “Please come again,” he said, brows furrowing as he looked back at me.

“I cross my heart,” I repeated, reaching behind myself to cross my fingers.

Finley’s eyes flicked behind me, then back up, disbelief flashing. “You’re crossing your fingers on your butt cheek, Alex.”

“Yeah,” I said with a shy. “Because it yearns for you whenever you’re near more than the heart.”

Finley pressed his lips together, laughter fighting to escape as his eyes slid sideways at me. He lifted a hand and tapped me on the back of the head, light but sharp, and we both laughed, the sound easy and loud.

“You are crazy,” Finley said, still laughing, just as his phone rang. He pulled it out, saw the name on the screen, and stopped short.

“Mom,” he said, answering immediately. “Excuse me,” he added to me, slipping an arm across my shoulders and drawing me closer.

“Hello, darling,” Finley’s mom said, her voice quick and warm through the speaker.

“Mom,” Finley replied, his grip loosening as concern crept in. “What is wrong?”

“Your dad and I are taking the next flight to Canada,” she said.

“What now?” Finley shot out, eyes widening as I opened the car and slid into the driver’s seat, and he got in from the other side.