Gus James wasn't kidding when he said his wife knew how to cook. The serving platters and casserole dishes were a pristine white, making all the sides pop. The broccoli was the perfect shade of green. The corn casserole was baked to golden perfection. The mini marshmallows melted into a gooey quilt over the mashed sweet potatoes. The main feature had been sliced in the kitchen and presented once we were all seated around the massive dining room table.

I could hear the younger kids laughing and talking in the kitchen while the adults sipped their wine and conversed on more serious matters. Gossip about the politicians stepping forward for the next round of election season. Debates over who, in their exclusive circle of friends, were going to have a bad quarter. The women were more focused on who was wearing what and the next big society gathering. A gala, or a dinner of some kind.

We were half way through the third back-in-my-day story from the patriarch when chimes echoed from the foyer. Colleen looked at her husband who raised a brow with just as much curiosity. The woman who had taken our coats floated past the entrance of the dining room to answer the door. A deep voice bellowing over the otherwise pleasant conversation made Finn sit straight and his mother to shift in her seat. My hand found his under the neatly dressed table.

"Sorry I'm so late everyone," Finn's father announced carelessly as he appeared.

The expressions around the table were divided between surprised and relieved. Uncle Robert had been one of those who looked happy to see the missing clan member. When I saw that his own parents were left speechless by his arrival, I knew that they honestly believed he wouldn't be attending the holiday festivities. Showing up unannounced not only threw off the mood of the room, but it also put our little trio on edge. Finn's fingers cutting off the circulation in mine was proof of that.

"That's perfectly alright, sweetheart," Colleen cooed. The way she shifted into doting mother mode, as she got to her feet, was impressive. My own mother took weeks to figure out how to be motherly again.

The guests scooted and shifted as another place was added to the table. Colleen set him up beside his wife. The sight of Finn's jaw flexing from the corner of my eye made me nudge him with my foot. The unmistakable scent lingering on the man as he passed had pushed the boy beside me closer to the edge. He was barely holding it together before the grand entrance.

"Mind showing me where the bathroom is," I asked softly. "I can't remember what hallway it was down."

"I can show you," Zoey piped in, clearly looking for a reason to get away from the tension filling the air.

"I've got it," Finn answered sharply. The sound his chair made as he pushed away from the table drew all eyes to us once again. I gave a nod of my head with a muttered apology as I mirrored his motion, but with less noise. The heels made it impossible to catch up to him without calling more attention to our sudden disappearance.

"What the hell," Finn growled. His fists were clenched at his when I finally made it to his side. We were in the hall near the library, and I did the only thing I could think of. Pushing open one of the double doors, I snatched his hand in mine and dragged him inside. My back was against the now closed doors as I looked up. I half expected to find him pacing or trashing the room, like my brother would have been doing. Instead, he was rooted in place between the reading chairs and the desk.

"Finn," I whispered. The hesitant step was followed by another as I made my way to him. He jumped when my hand landed on his forearm. There was no sign that he had been crying, but the frustration was slowly building to some kind of emotional storm. The emerald color of his eyes lost the sparkle as they grew dark enough to match the needles of a pine tree. Every muscle in his body had stiffened as the heat became visible from the anger he was trying to keep at bay.

"Can you believe him," Finn growled. "Showing up here like he was only running late. He didn't even bother to change."

"This is his family, and a holiday. Being an idiot doesn't mean that he's completely heartless."

"He reeked of bourbon and perfume." His voice got a little louder and I panicked that someone could be outside listening. My fingers wrapped around his wrist, a silent reminder to calm down. They curled tighter when I felt the first tug of him trying to pull free.

"Remember what your mom said about making a scene."

"These aren't his precious employees, Blaine. They're his fucking family."

"Exactly. His family. If you go storming out there now making accusations they're going to look at you like you've lost your mind."

"You don't think they'd believe me?"

"I think they will, but you can't expect them to pick sides."

"I don't -"

"Yes you do. It's the only reason you're considering it." My other hand reached out to take his other hand. "This isn't you, Finn. Plotting to take down your father in front of his own family. You are kinder than that. Smarter than that. If you go back out there and start a fight, you'll no longer be Finn. You'll be your father's son."

"I don't know how much longer I can keep pretending," he growled, collapsing into one of the leather chairs.

"Imagine how your mother must feel. I'll bet she's been pretending a lot longer than you."

"She deserves better." I shrugged, because he wasn't wrong. Most of us deserved better than what we have. At this moment, though, it was about them. "Can I ask you something personal?"

"When have you ever asked something not personal?" The corner of his mouth twitched. Trading my hands for my hips, he pulled me forward to stand between his legs. My own hands laced behind his neck as he tilted his face up to study mine.

"Are you ever going to move back home?" My thumb stopped stroking his hair line. Of all the questions he's ever asked, none have made my mind stop working.

"What?"

"Things have gotten better with your parents, right? So you're going to move back home soon. Aren't you?"

"I've been a little too busy to think about it. Why?" Another tug from him and I was sitting on his lap. It didn't take a genius to know he was trying to distract himself. Working on a way to calm himself enough to return to the meal.

"Luke made it sound like you were going to go back soon."

"Just once," I sighed, my arm wrapping around his neck, "I'd love it if my brother would share his plans with me."

"You said it yourself, Lainey. You've been busy."

"Doesn't change the fact that he could send me a text at least. An invite perhaps through social media."

"Say a carrier pigeon and you might just make my night." I smacked his chest as he chuckled. The smile growing on my face made my heart ache. He'd finally relaxed to the point where I felt like I could, too. Our foreheads touched and I was able to breath. "Do we have to go back out there?"

"Probably," I sighed. "I'm sure they're already making up some scandalous excuse for why we haven't come back yet."

"That stuffing tasted funny to me." The glint in his gem colored eyes earned him a disapproving shake of my head. "I think I'm sick and need to go home."

"And your mom?"

"Maybe she can convince Dad to drive her home. It'll give me a chance to talk to him."

"I recommend talking to her before you force her into that position."

"She could always stay here," he shrugged. "There are plenty of rooms."

"Let her know that we are leaving before you announce it in front of everyone." I started to pull away only for him to trap me in place. "We need to head back, Finn."

"They already think we're up to no good. Might as well enjoy it for a few minutes." He planted a kiss to my cheek. Light, gentle kisses followed. They littered my face and jaw, making me giggle.

"Seriously," I gasped, gently pushing at his shoulders. "You've got to stop and head back."

He grumbled a refusal. Perfectly content with stealing away these few minutes. No Lucas hovering and waiting to step in. No mocking jokes from Joseph while Heather playfully scolded him. Shan wasn't rambling on about scenarios only his warped mind could come up with. I did miss being able to sit in peace with him.

Between midterms and play offs we haven't had time to go on another date. If I was being completely honest, I had considered going back to his cousin's place. The sanctuary was always opened. She'd promised that as we made our way back to the car. I was ready to take her up on the offer. Finn would need some time to unwind after he faced off with his father. I would be on my own for a day or two. Just enough time to try sculpting something, or maybe I'd stick with the paint.

"You're mind's wandering, isn't it?"

"I'm sorry. There's so much going on." He let out a sigh as his forehead fell to my shoulder. My fingers combed gently through his hair on their own. "I was considering taking Zoey up on her invitation to visit again. That massive canvas won't paint itself."

"You don't want me to go."

"I didn't say that."

"Sure you did." The warmth of his hand cupping my cheek made me curl into the touch. "It's okay though. Promise me that someone will go with you. Preferably one of the guys."

"I promise."