CHAPTER ONE
"Are you sure you don't want to come with me?"Bevin, Finn's best friend and roommate, asked."We're talking white sandy beaches, clear blue waters, and did I mention all the hot bodies your eyes can handle?"he added giddily, his gaze going dreamy as if he were already stretched out on the beach.
Bevin was one of those guys who lived in the moment, while Finn admittedly took life a bit more seriously.Then again, Bevin could afford to be as carefree as he wanted.He was born into money, while Finn grew up with his grandmother, who worked two jobs just to keep a roof over their heads, even if it was a one-bedroom apartment where his bed was a couch that had seen better days.Despite their different backgrounds, they’d clicked instantly.Finn and Bevin had met during their freshman orientation.
Bevin did not act like a trust-fund baby.Although he could have gained admission to the school because of his prestigious name and family connections, Finn was impressed by Bevin's intelligence.Finn, on the other hand, received an academic scholarship that thankfully covered everything.
During their sophomore year, Bevin had told his grandfather that they wanted to move off campus in their junior year, but were holding off because Finn couldn’t move with them or he would lose his stipend.So the elder Sullivan quickly donated a shit ton of money to have a new apartment complex built on campus.The individual apartments were spacious enough for two people, with a desk and a study area.
They also had separate bathrooms, a shared kitchen, and a combined living and dining room.The apartments were open to juniors, seniors, graduate, and fellowship students, which was great because it was a pivotal time when they were learning to balance work and life as they neared the end of their educational journey.Finn would not complain about Bevin's privileges because he selfishly reaped the benefits.
Like him, Bevin was an only child to divorced parents, but there was one difference his friend had two parents who loved him.Finn had never met his own parents.He had only seen pictures of them.His mother died after giving birth to him, and soon after, his father took off for parts unknown, leaving him in the care of his grandmother, who loved him to her last breath.
His grandmother died just shy of his first year of college from late-stage cancer that was discovered only a month before she passed.Finn missed his sweet mama.She had been his sounding board, his defender, and before Bevin, the only person who believed in his dreams.Finn had always joked that one day he would be so rich he would buy them a mansion, and she would never have to lift a finger if she didn’t want to.He was just sad that she wouldn’t be by his side when he succeeded.He was grateful she had been there when he got his acceptance letter, and he had promised not to disappoint her.
Finn knew from a young age what he wanted to do when he grew up.He hated seeing his grandmother struggle and suffer, and his goal had always been to give them both a better life.Even though she was no longer with him, he was still working toward that goal, carrying her memory with him every step of the way.Now that he was in his last year of graduate school, he was working extremely hard to secure a permanent position at Hamilton Conglomerate's Shoreline Providence division.Finn was an intern for Lucas Hamilton, one of the CEOs.
Lucas was married to a sexy-as-fuck FBI director who oozed badassery.Tucker Stevens was so Finn’s type.The kind of man with strong arms and a sturdy chest to comfort him whenever he needed it.Although they both seemed too good to be true, Finn learned a lot from Lucas.He admired Lucas's work ethic.Even with family obligations, the man was committed to his job and didn’t mind going the distance for his clients.
The other CEO was Tyler, Lucas's twin brother.Both men took over running the company after their father stepped down, who was also happily married.Although the company was large in name and stature, it felt like a well-oiled mom-and-pop operation that genuinely cared about its employees.It was a welcoming and supportive environment that made Finn happy to go to work every day, especially since Lucas and Tyler encouraged employee recognition and advancement.He enjoyed a healthy work-life balance, good health benefits, a culture built on trust, and a steady paycheck.There was nothing he could complain about.
He was grateful for the company's two-week holiday break.Even as an intern, he had earned personal time off and saved every hour, which would give him a full three weeks away, returning just in time to start work the next day.It was exactly what he needed.While Bevin set off for the sandy beaches of Jamaica, Finn headed north to Vermont, ready to ski to his heart's content.
Before meeting Bevin, Finn had never skied, but after going once with his friend, he became hooked.Finn had been looking forward to this vacation.He had saved and paid for his trip in advance and booked his cabin months ago, opting for the all-inclusive experience.The resort offered privacy, which was exactly what Finn wanted.
From the pictures in the brochure, the cabins were spread out across vast, snow-capped mountains.Finn could have stayed at the hotel, but the cabins seemed more inviting.They sat along a narrow, tree-lined path not far from the main lodge, each spaced just far enough apart to ensure privacy.
Finn had requested a cabin within walking distance of the best slope.He didn’t need to rent gear; he had his own.The cabins included a full kitchen, so Finn paid extra to have a staff member purchase a few groceries and stock the refrigerator and cupboards for his stay.He was making sure he wouldn’t have to interact with anyone if he didn’t want to.Most would find that odd, but Finn didn’t mind his own company.
Some people would encourage him to fall in love on vacation, but Finn was not looking for a fling or love right away.He knew that the day he gave himself to someone would be the only time.So he planned to let loose and enjoy his time skiing.Just thinking about swooshing down the crisp snow made him giddy.
"Nah, I'm good, dude," Finn said, turning to his friend."You go have fun your way, and I'll do my thing."He tilted his head, studying him with quiet curiosity."How come you're not spending it with your dad?"
After his parents' divorce, Bevin lived with his mom but spent every Christmas holiday with his father.Even after starting university, he’d made a point of going home for the holidays.But this year, things seemed different.
Bevin shrugged."My dad and I wanted to do things differently this year.He wanted to hang out with his friends, and I wanted to hang out with mine."He paused."I think he's seeing someone and isn't ready for me to meet them yet."
"Ah," Finn said."What makes you say that?"
Bevin shrugged."I don't know.He's acting weird.He's not as uptight as usual."
"That doesn't mean he's seeing anyone."
Bevin shook his head."I know my dad.If he's just fucking someone, he wouldn't make time for them.But now he's taking vacations and shit."
Finn sighed inwardly, still not convinced by what Bevin was saying, but he no longer contradicted his friend.He had met Bevin's father, Princeton Sullivan, a few times over the years.Honestly, the man had always seemed intimidating, even though he barely acknowledged Finn, offering maybe one or two words at most.Still, Princeton Sullivan left a lasting impression.He was tall, powerful, and solidly built, nothing like a typical university professor.With broad shoulders and a strong, sculpted chest, he looked more like a professional wrestler.
Princeton Sullivan taught at one of New York's top-ranked universities.He also ran a multi-billion-dollar company, which he had taken over from his father.Finn thought Princeton Sullivan was amazing, but kept that to himself.He had always wondered, though never asked, why Bevin didn’t attend the university where his father taught.
A knock on their apartment door pulled Finn from his thoughts.
"That must be Shane.We're on the same flight," Bevin said, grabbing his suitcase and heading to the door.
"Alright, go on.Get out of here.Have fun, and call me when you land," Finn told him, waving him off.
"Yes, Mom," Bevin joked, rolling his eyes."Are you sure you won't change your mind and come with me?It's not too late for me to get you a ticket."
"I've been planning this trip for months, so that's a big fat no for me," Finn told him.
