He glanced at Bevin, who still wasn’t looking his way, far too casual for what he had just handed over.Then Finn looked back at the documents.He flipped to the front page and quickly skimmed through the rest, his pulse beginning to pound in his ears as the pieces fell into place.The realization hit hard.This wasn’t an assignment.
It was a contract.
Finn snapped his head up, disbelief flashing across his face."Bevin, what do you mean by this?"
"Don't play dumb," Bevin said as he put his cellphone away and finally looked at Finn, his expression steady now, no trace of teasing.
"But…"
"Do you remember our freshman year when you told me you wanted to start your own company?"
Finn nodded, wondering exactly where the hell Bevin was headed with this conversation.Of course he remembered.He had laid out his entire plan that night, every goal and step he wanted to take.
He had been certain Bevin wasn’t listening.After all, he had fallen asleep before Finn even got to the part about wanting to be the CEO of his own company.Still, it wasn’t as if he had only said it once.He had repeated that dream a few more times since that night, stubborn and determined each time.
"I know you thought I haven't been listening to you all these years, but Finn, how can I not?"Bevin stood, walked over, and sat on the bed beside him, close enough that their knees brushed."I've always heard you, Finn.I know what this might look like.I went ahead and put every idea you talked about into action before you could even get started.You might feel cheated, or what I'm about to say might make it sound like I'm pitying you or using my wealth to get what I want, but not this time."
He sighed and gently took the files from Finn's hands, holding them between them.
"I can't run a business without you.I tried.Sure, the figures look good, but it's not where I wanted them to be before I presented them to you."Bevin lifted his gaze to Finn's, earnest and unguarded."I wanted to impress you with everything you taught me and helped me with.But Finn, seriously, your dream is not my dream.So I'm giving this company to you.I'll stay on as a silent partner."
"Bevin, I don't know what to say," Finn said after a few moments of heavy silence, his voice quieter than usual.
"Say yes, because everyone already thinks you're the CEO anyway."
Finn blinked."What do you mean by that?"
"It's not on paper, but since the beginning, I've been telling every investor that you were my partner.And when they ask where you are, I tell them you're speaking with other investors."
Finn stared at him, incredulous.You and your father are so alike.Bossy and always trying to take over my life.
The thought burned through him, equal parts frustration and reluctant affection, because beneath the control was something else entirely.They both believed in him, sometimes more than he believed in himself.
"You're backing me into a corner here," he muttered, torn between annoyance and awe.
"I know," Bevin said quietly."And although you're not showing it, you have every right to be angry and far from impressed that I did this without your permission.But I want to plead my case."
Finn exhaled slowly."Go ahead.I'm listening."
Bevin held his gaze, steady and sincere."I didn't want you to struggle or delay your dream."
Finn snorted and shook his head."Are you serious?"
"I am.Hell, I'm sure that's why my dad offered to be your partner."
Finn opened his mouth to respond, but Bevin lifted a hand, stopping him before he could get the words out.
"No, wait," he said quickly."I blame your charisma, your ability to bring out this protectiveness in people that they probably didn't even know was there.I admire your intelligence, your independence, and your willingness to do things on your own without asking for help.But after coming close to almost losing you, I refuse to not see you happy."
His voice lost its edge, turning earnest.
"You're my friend, Finn.No, friend is the wrong word.You're family.And if whatever is happening between you and my father doesn't work out, I'd be on your side, not his."He held Finn's gaze, making sure it landed."I want to see your dream come true, and I don't want you to wait.You're talented.You shouldn't have to work for someone else just to get experience.You already have it."
Bevin knew Finn well, but in this case, he was wrong.Finn was not nearly as angry as he probably should have been.If anything, he was quietly impressed that Bevin had gone through all of this just to do something for him.Still, he didn’t want it handed to him for free.
"I know this isn't your dream, Bev, but what does that mean when you take over your family's company?"
"I'll be fine then, because that is my dream.I know my dad wants me to live a little, and I plan on starting from the bottom because I want to know every damn thing about my family's company.This…" He tapped the file between them."This is for you."
