Jacob nodded, easy and unbothered. “I’m sorry. I forgot all about Maurice.” His tone wasn’t jealous or cold, just matter-of-fact, like he understood more than Finn wanted him to. “We’ll catch up tonight then.”
Finn swallowed, the napkin now a wrinkled mess in his hands. He wasn’t sure if he felt relieved or guilty or both. The Pride Train was supposed to be about freedom and possibility, but right now it felt like he was standing between two open doors, unsure which one he was allowed to walk through.
He said it lightly, but there was something underneath it—something that made Finn’s chest tighten. Like Jacob wasn’t upset, but he’d noticed the hesitation. The way Finn’s voice had gone small. The way Finn couldn’t quite meet his eyes.
They stood, gathering their things. Jacob gave him a smile—gentle, steady, the kind that made Finn feel seen in a way that was almost too much. “Have a good morning, Finn.”
“You too,” Finn managed.
Jacob walked toward the next car, hands in his pockets, shoulders relaxed. Finn watched him go, feeling like he’d missed a step.
As soon as Jacob disappeared, Finn’s brain kicked into overdrive.
Why did I say it like that? Did it sound weird? Did he think I was brushing him off? Was he disappointed? Was he relieved? Was he—
The train rattled beneath him, and Finn stood there in the aisle, clutching his napkin like it could anchor him. He wasn’t doing anything wrong. He knew that. But still, something about the way Jacob had said, “We’ll catch up tonight,” kept replaying in his head—soft, patient, like Jacob was giving him space he didn’t know how to fill.
Finn exhaled, trying to shake it off, but the warmth of Jacob’s smile lingered, stubborn as sunlight.
And now he had to go meet Maurice with his heart still buzzing from someone else.
Chapter Fourteen
Maurice
Maurice followed behind Davidand Theo after breakfast, letting them walk a little ahead. They looked good together—Theo with that simple grin, David pretending he wasn’t smitten. Maurice waited while David said goodbye, leaning in close to Theo in that soft, private way he only used when he actually cared.
The hallway was narrow, the kind where shoulders brushed whether you meant to. A few men squeezed past, laughing loudly, the morning-after voices still rough from last night. One young guy bumped Maurice’s arm and winked like it was a reflex. Maurice gave him a polite nod and kept moving. He wasn’t in the mood for random winks. Not today.
They ducked into David’s room to talk. The door clicked shut behind them, muffling the noise from the corridor.
“Theo suits you,” Maurice said, leaning against the wall.
David shrugged, but the smile tugging at his mouth gave him away. “He does. But I told him he needs to circulate and meet others.”
Maurice grinned. “I said that to Finn too.”
David shot him a look. “Why did you interrupt his date with the doctor?”
Maurice winced. He’d been waiting for that. “Jealous, maybe.” He rubbed the back of his neck. “Jacob looked so thrilled to be with Finn. And why not?”
“You can’t do shit like that,” David said, pointing at him. “You’re chasing him. I’ve never seen you lose your mind like that.”
Maurice let out a breath. “You’re right. I’ve lost my mind.” Saying it out loud didn’t even sting because it just was true. “He felt easy to be around,” Maurice whispered. “Like someone I wouldn’t mind seeing again. Back home, even.”
“Shouldn’t you get to know him more?”
“It’s not about all that.” Maurice shook his head. “It’s this instant attraction like we’re each other’s missing part. I can’t leave that to another. He’s mine.”
David didn’t argue, which was almost worse. He just nodded slowly. “What excuse did you give when you went over there?”
“I told him I had to return something of his.”
A flicker of surprise crossed David’s face as he raised an eyebrow. “And what do you have of his?”
Maurice’s voice dropped. “A moment I’m not done with.”
David pressed his lips together, the way he did when he was half amused, half worried. “Be careful.” David grabbed his jacket. “I’m going to the Welcome Room to meet the Indy guys. You coming?”
