Inbetweener (Completed)

Part 5

"I didn't know you were friends with Nyora," I say to Fin during a lull.

"Yeah, she's nice. Said we could all go out for drinks one night soon."

"Yeah?" I like the idea, but there's no way Nyora won't spot I have a crush on Fin bigger than bloody Port Phillip.

"She said you were buying this place too."

"Well, she's getting pretty ahead of herself there. We don't exactly rake in heaps."

"Maybe you should." I look at him quizzically, but he continues eagerly. "I mean, I'm sure you know what you're doing better than me, so you know..."

Debatable, but I shrug, encouraging him to carry on.

"It's not like I know anything about business. But this is a perfect location to pull in tourists with cosmetic changes like comfortable couches, maybe a wider range of food; sandwiches and quiche. And I bet you could get more locals if you just offered things that made you different from other places around here - you know, live music, open mics, art shows, that kind of thing."

I've thought of some of those things but always been too afraid to take the next step. The casual way Fin says it makes it seem somehow less daunting though.

It's embarrassing to admit I've been holding myself back, so I don't. "You seem to know enough?"

"Yeah, well, before... My job had a lot of self-promotion in it. I got good at knowing what people want. But I don't have qualifications."

I suppose that makes sense if he did the kind of thing I've assumed. Sex work, or porn, or something. Definitely customer-focused work.

* * * * * 

It's the end of the day when he looks at me shyly, a little nervous, and my own heart skips about optimistically.

"Do you know Foster Street?"

"Do I-? Oh, yeah, it's not that far from me."

"Would you mind showing me? I've seen a place that looks nice, but I'd like to see the area."

"Sure."

We're ready to leave, and he shrugs on his jacket, before reaching to my hand and linking our fingers as I lock the door. I turn to smile, when I see Nielsen standing over his shoulder, and I get it then.

"Mr. Brewster," he says, sneering as his eyes catch our hands.

"What is it?" He's creepy, and I want to get away. Plus, I don't like the way he looks Fin up and down.

"I'm just here to look at my new building," he says, "let me in."

"I spoke to my landlord, it's not yours yet," I tell him, and he looks taken aback as if he'd thought I'd just bend over on this.

"Well, it's only a matter of time."

"Whatever," Fin interrupts, tugging my hand, pulling me away from the door. "We have places to be, Mr. Nielsen. Speak to your precious agent."

"He's a creep, right?" I ask as we walk briskly up the high street, trying not to move my hand too much because I think Fin's forgotten his fingers are still wrapped in mine.

"Huh, yeah. Used to it though."

"You are?"

"My ex." He pauses to glance at me and I try to keep my face stoic. I know there's a story here and I want it. Even if all I am to him is something temporary. An inbetweener. A rebound or a fuck buddy. I want to not make the same mistakes the idiot who came before me made.