brushstrokes.

rowan o'connell painter, baker, sour candy enjoyer.🏳️‍🌈

[rosieoconnell]

The movie they pick is some sort of Tom Cruise-esque type action film. Entertaining enough. She smiles and kinda rolls her eyes every time there's a car chase. She glances at her phone, not wanting to miss a text from Finn (as pathetic as that sounds). She knows he's probably out celebrating with his teammates, so there might not be a call tonight. And that's okay.

Rosie gets a ping on her social media, which she doesn't think much of. She turned off her DMs and it's mostly quiet unless she posts something of Finn in her story.

People tag her in things every so often, mostly to try and get Finn's attention--but when her phone pings consistently, her eyebrows draw together.

"Popular," Henry teases and she laughs softly,

"I'm sure it's just spam."

But when she opens instagram and clicks on one of the notifs...she realizes it's because fans are tagging her. All for the same reason--

a photo of Finn and about six women. At a bar.

Her body goes cold.

doesn't he have a girlfriend? @rosieoconnell girl yikes @rosieoconnell @rosieoconnell come get your man dude is too good to be chained down, bye bye @rosieoconnell!

[rowanoconnell]

Rowan looks over at his sister, smiling a bit until he can see her eyes looking over the screen. This pinched expression and worried eyes. Rowan puts his glass on the coffee table and reaches out to gently take her phone from her, looking at this grainy picture and then the comments underneath. Rowan hums softly, scrolling back up to the picture and he just isn't sure.

"Rosie," he says softly, "I don't think it'd be anything. It's Nashville, it's a party city," and even saying that it doesn't seem to really aid the picture they're all looking at. "Finn doesn't normally go out after games, and he's been texting you during intermissions. All of that."

Of course, Rowan is cautious of the picture because you never really know someone, right? He looks to Henry, turning the phone to him. "I think it's probably nothing."

[rosieoconnell]

A soft laugh rumbles in her chest because... well,

"No," She grins at Rowan.

Henry brings over a careful tray of margaritas, handing one to Rowan before sitting down next to him. He then passes one to Rosie, "I wasn't eavesdropping but I know what we're talking about." He smiles a little, "And look Rosie, I wouldn't consider myself Finn's best friend or anything. Definitely a friend but... there's obviously something very real going on between you two. And sure, with the hockey stuff, there's a risk...but good things are worth the risk, right?"

He smiles and she nods, "Yeah, definitely."

[rowanoconnell]

Rowan thanks Henry for the drink, taking a small sip to test the alcohol content. It's super good too. Then he laughs softly as Henry claims he wasn't eavesdropping, but the thing is... it's very obvious. He smiles light as Henry speaks and nods along with what he's saying about Finn. "I think it's just something that you and Finn need to talk about," he tells Rosie, same thing he's told her before but as a gentle reminder too.

If this is something that's working for them, even with this PR nonsense, then Rowan thinks it is real. Not to mention, he's read up a little bit on Finn's ex and he doesn't understand why they were together in the first place. Sure, two good looking people but that was clearly where it started and ended.

[rosieoconnell]

standing on business 😤

Rosie knows it's probably silly to miss Finn while he's away but maybe it's not that unusual when they didn't enjoy spending one night away from one another. And now it's multiple games, cities away.

She looks over at her brother as Henry makes them fun drinks in Finn's kitchen. She's in a pair of sweatpants and Finn's jersey...along with her lucky bow. She sent a picture to Finn before her brother and his...boyfriend? came over.

"I feel like a sappy girlfriend," She admits quietly, "I know it's like...fake, and everything but still," She crinkles her nose, "I think I'm in deep Ro. I know more about hockey than I ever thought I would." She grins.

[rowanoconnell]

It is incredibly surreal that Rowan is in Finn Pembroke's apartment. Rowan likes sports enough, he doesn't have a favourite sport or any favourite players but he enjoys sports enough. He learned very quickly that Chicago, just like New York, takes all their sports teams seriously. Whether is baseball, hockey, football or basketball... it's serious business. Naturally he's come accustomed to it through people from work so he doesn't mind.

The thing is, Finn is a big deal in this town and it's insane that his sister is dating him. It's cool, and Finn is a good person from what he's seen. Not what articles have written. Finn's place is sort of like Henry's, a bit bigger but similar layout. He's got a big screen, the game is on, they've got take out and Henry is making drinks. Wild, honestly.

He looks to his sister and smiles lightly, patting her hand, "Fake is such a fictitious word at this point, Rose," Ro laughs softly. "Do you feel bad about it?"

[rosieoconnell]

Rosie lets out a slow breath and smiles just a little when Ro tugs on her hat. She nods and...and maybe it shouldn't be so complicated, especially since it's not like they're ruining the deal or contract they signed by having real feelings for one another. It's just...she's not sure if that's the direction Finn wants to go in. Maybe he just wants something easy or fun.

Or maybe it's nice to be friends with someone and have some relationship benefits but not have to commit. She wouldn't be surprised, given his past with Lindsay. But it...it feels more real than that.

"Thanks," She tells him, gently nudging him under the table, "I know I have to talk to him, it just doesn't feel like the right time. Like, ever." She laughs softly, "But he is. He's wonderful. He makes me happy--I know it hasn't been very long but we've really just...clicked. Just happens when you find the right person, I think."

[rowanoconnell]

The thing is, he can't blame Rosie for developing feelings in this fake relationship. If he were in her shoes, he thinks it would have happened to him too. Rowan also doesn't believe what people have written about him, how Finn is hot headed and has some problems. If he did, Rosie wouldn't be in this and he fully believes it. She wouldn't be smitten, falling, kissing this guy no matter who he is.

Rowan offers Rosie a smile and nods, "You two should probably talk about it at some point," he agrees with her. "And I think that's true, sometimes you click really fast, sometimes it takes a little bit, other times it doesn't happen." For himself, he thinks him and Henry clicked but have been both a little nervous. Well, at least on Rowan's part but he thinks he's over that bump now.

[rosieoconnell]

Rosie tries not to let her hackles rise (she has no idea why this is her first reaction). Rowan is just pointing things out that she knows, that she is fully aware that she's doing. He's just noticing actions and feelings that are out in the open for all to see--the difference is that he knows it's fake (or it should be, anyways).

And he knows her. Rowan knows her better than anyone.

She swallows and bites down on the inside of her cheek, looking down at the table.

"Am I that obvious?" She mutters, glancing up at her brother before her gaze wanders to Finn. This time to make sure he's not coming over. "I don't know what's going on," She admits. "It's complicated."

[rowanoconnell]

Rowan shakes his head, leaning over to tug on Rosie's hat. "No. I'm your brother, so you're obvious just to me. Maybe Henry too," he teases her softly. But it's interesting how Rosie and Finn are swirled into this complex arrangement with each other, and they might have turned it into something more genuine.

"I know it's probably a lot," Rowan nods. "But you look happy, and that's a good thing. To be your typical big brother, I'm obliged to tell you to be careful but that's only because of how this started. That it's a job. And if it really is more, than that's really great as well. Finn's good, he's surprising."

[rosieoconnell]

Rosie smiles a little as Rowan talks about Henry. From what she can tell, Henry is sweet. He's artistic and fun and kind. Both of them are very down to earth and she thinks that's something hard to find in the dating pool sometimes--especially if that dating pool is online. She's hoping that whatever they're sharing continues to be nice.

"That can be good sometimes, I think. Taking it slow, figuring things out." Her gaze wanders to Finn again and then Rowan reads her mind.

Her eyes snap to him and she nonchalantly shrugs her one shoulder, "What do you mean?" She asks, a soft smile, "We're kinda uhm, friends." She nods then amends, "I mean, we are friends."

[rowanoconnell]

Rowan's brows lift and he doesn't doubt that Rosie and Finn are friends, they clearly are. But there's two things happening here and the first one is there is light tension between them, it's attraction and to Rowan it's crystal clear. Second, Rowan knows his sister and sweeping things under the rug isn't her strongest suit. She's a feeler, so is he.

"Sure, I know that," Rowan nods a few times. "I'm talking about your crush on him," he smiles, a guide to let her know it's okay but, "I mean... how can you not, right? I don't know him like you do but it feels like he is a decent enough human being." He says, "Also you keep staring at him."

[rosieoconnell]

Rosie hums lightly because a hot drink sounds so good right now. There is a few tables tucked near the pumpkins where the food trucks are. She surveys the snacks she might want later and reaches out to tug on Rowan's sleeve,

"Let's get a seat," She says and then turns towards Finn, "Hot chocolate please." She smiles, squeezing his hand.

Admittedly...it feels kind of odd not to have his hand pressed against hers as she takes a seat with her brother. She draws her coat tighter around herself, tucking her hands into her pockets. She watches the back of Finn as he moves up in line and then looks to Rowan,

"So things with Henry are good."

[rowanoconnell]

Rowan watches Henry go with Finn, his neighbour and friend and his sisters suspiciously fake boyfriend. He nods to Rosie and walks towards a table with her, sitting down. Rowan's thankful he brough some light gloves because it is quite cold out here. He sits down, stretching out his legs under the table.

"Yeah," Ro smiles softly. "Things are good with Henry. We're taking it day by day but I think that's great. Figuring it out. I think we're both a little nervous still," he sort of laughs, shaking his head and looks over to the beverage line as well.

Rowan breathes in, "You and Finn, what's going on?"

[rosieoconnell]

Rosie just wonders if...if everything kind of happens for a reason. Maybe her life in LA didn't work out because she's not meant to be an actress or...maybe she was meant to move to Chicago for whatever reason. She chews on her lower lip. She loves acting, but no one's ever given her a chance. Rowan's right--she can at least talk to Stella about whatever jobs this might open up.

"One can only hope, right?" She squeezes her brother's hand. "Thanks Ro. Always my number one fan." She teases but he's right. He's always been there to support her and honestly, it means everything to her.

She leans over and kisses his cheek before settling against his arm, looking at the TV,

"Let's put on a baking show and judge all contestants." She grins.

[rowanoconnell]

Rowan smiles. "Of course, that's what good big brothers are for," he laughs softly, grabbing the remote again to change the channel. He turns up the volume and sinks back into the couch, content if this is how his day is going to go. He means it when he says he wants the best for his sister. It sucks that acting hasn't taken off as well as she hoped, but maybe she'll get the chance now.

They watch TV, order normal pizza and enjoy the rest of the day on the couch with one another.

[rosieoconnell]

Rosie hums lightly, tugging the blanket over her legs. She thinks maybe, maybe she'll give the mini pizzas a try. Perhaps that's something she can explore with Finn, if that's something he'd like to do. Other than some details about his schedule and 'need to haves', she's pretty open.

She's still settling into her apartment, waiting for it to feel like home.

She curls her hair around her ear about Stella and well, she probably did wrap up the package like that but, "Well to be honest, I barely let her describe the job to me before I said yes," She winces, "I was kind of desperate for whatever I could get my hands on. But you're right, there could be something there. I'll ask."

[rowanoconnell]

Rowan sits up a bit, resting against the arm of the couch. "I know, the money is important. But Rosie, if you still want to act, if that's still you're passion... that's important too," he smiles a little bit as he leans over to squeeze her hand. "I get it, if I was in that position I would have agreed too. And I mean, it's not like Finn is terrible to look at at all." He laughs softly.

"But talk to Stella again, she's good. She listens. Maybe she's got something up her sleeve?" Rowan shrugs his shoulders. And he doesn't want to see Rosie so crushed again if this doesn't work out, she works hard and while Rowan is biased, he really means it that Rosie is a good actress.

[rosieoconnell]

"I do like deep dish," Rosie laughs, "Just not Chicago style," She crinkles her nose, "I mean, who enjoys that much sauce on top, anyways." She playfully bokes Rowan's side, following him to sit on the couch. She breathes out, thinking about what her and Finn have talked about, what's coming further down the pipeline. It's been a good balance, she thinks.

She chews on the inside of her cheek--she'd been thinking about making good money but, her eyebrows raise, "You really think there might be an acting angle?"

[rowanoconnell]

"Oh yeah, whatever," Rowan laughs softly. "That's what I meant. Too many kinds of pizza out there, he shakes his head about it. "You gotta get the mini Chicago pizzas, they are significantly better but I get it," he smiles, finding a movie marathon channel and leaves it there for them. Now he's craving pizza. Maybe him and Henry could go get some, hopefully he likes pizza.

Blinking, Rowan looks back at his sister. "I mean... I would hope so. I would hope Stella offered this for you to get you some visibility with people in the industry," he says. "To get you a a role on TV or a movie, another play. You need to push for that too. Again, two way street."

[rosieoconnell]

Rosie huffs out a soft laugh, getting a container to put these waffles in for herself. But like...with how much more time she's probably going to spend here, hanging out with Ro, she already knows she'll end up snacking on them until they're gone.

"Yeah, another home game. I made my own shirt!" She grins, very excited. She took like a white t-shirt and did some fun prints that she saw online. So she did the logo and Finn's number and then his name on the back. She's very proud of it.

Then she grins, "Oh a nice dinner?" She asks, teasing, "Like McDonald's or deep dish pizza?" She waggles her eyebrows. She is not about to ask this man to wine and dine her, not unless it builds their narrative. She doesn't care about stuff like that.

[rowanoconnell]

"Well you don't like deep dish, so not that," Rowan laughs softly, motioning for her to come hang out on the couch. He lights a candle and pulls the big blanket from the back of the couch to snuggle up in. Maybe there's a Halloween movie on they can watch and just be lazy for a while. "Maybe something more upscale than McDonalds like... Shake Shack," he teases her.

Rowan turns on the TV, rubbing his face. "I guess what I mean is that I know you're helping him with this, but I hope you're getting something out of it too. Maybe he has connections for acting or something. It's a two-way street."

[rosieoconnell]

Rosie isn't sure she's ready to see Finn with any kids and she lets out a low breath about the one with his nephew. Look, she's not going to pretend that Finn isn't really attractive. She knows she's got a job to do and won't let feelings (physical or otherwise) get in the way of that. But oof.

"That's really cute," She chews on her lower lip, making a mental note to like the picture later. She doesn't care if Finn sees her snooping his feed.

She leans against the counter, sipping on her coffee, "Yeah, I did some deep diving into her insta when I took the job. She still has some photos up of her and Finn but," She crinkles her nose, "It's definitely feels like she's using him for likes, you know? Even now."

[rowanoconnell]

"I think that too," Rowan agrees, shaking his head. "Not surprising she has photos still, probably trying to prove some weird point. Who knows." He slides off of his stool and cleans up some of the dishes, leaving the extra waffles on a plate if Rosie wants to take some home. He stretches his arms over his shoulders, leaning against the counter as he looks at the pictures again.

"So what's next on your docket with Finn? Just going to some more games?" Rowan asks. He actually is very fascinated by all of this. He trusts his sister, that's where he's at about this whole situation. "You should at least ask him to take you to a nice dinner."

[rosieoconnell]

Rosie chews on her lower lip, considering it. She knows that this all kind of comes with the packaging of what she signed up for. Rowan's right; if she talked to Finn about any of this bothering her, she knows he'd be supportive. He's a decent guy, least what she's learned so far. So she'll keep these things in the back of her mind. For now? She can deal with it.

She smiles as Rowan says he's got a second date, hoping it'll be just as amazing as the first one. Maybe even better.

She leans over his shoulder as Rowan opens up Finn's instagram, a small smile pulling the corners of her mouth. There's a variety of posts, mostly hockey related, but some with Finn's friends, some with him alone. Workout videos, brand experiences--

"Yeah," She chews her lower lip, "Handsome, right?"

[rowanoconnell]

Rowan nods. "It's probably a crime, actually," he smiles at his sister. "There's his big banner of him and a few other players I see on my way to work every single morning. It's insane," he laughs softly, going through this Instagram. He stops at one from Christmas and he's holding a little boy, with the hashtag of uncle duties and he has his sister tagged. "That's sweet," he motions to the picture.

"You know he does seem like a pretty normal guy," Rowan says. "Still have caution but... I dunno. His ex was kind of scary. Her Instagram is one big 'look at me' sort of thing." And it seems like Finn has scrubbed his ex right off his feed too.

[rosieoconnell]

Rosie lets a slow breath from her lips, getting up to get herself some coffee. She knew this conversation was coming from Rowan. Not that it's a bad thing--he's looking out for her and only voicing concerns that she's thought about herself. She taps her fingers on the counter, adding cream and sugar.

"I turned my DMs off but..." She shrugs, "It's all kind of part of it. I'll talk to him if it gets too out of control," She promises, "It's mostly people just making the eyeball emoji to whenever Finn's in my story."

Henry does text back after about ten minutes, apologizing because he was in the shower...and that he'd love to go on a second date. Maybe dinner and movie?

[rowanoconnell]

"You should talk to him. He likely understands, probably deals with it every day," he tells Rosie with a shrug. Rowan doesn't know Finn, only from stats and what he's seen here and there in the news. Someone people say one then, others say another but Rosie hasn't sad one bad thing about the guy. He's either really committed to the bit or is genuinely nice.

Ro sighs softly. "It is a lot though, and like I said, you're worth more than this whole arrangement," He sits back down at the island to finish his waffles. His phone dings and it's Henry. Rowan has to purposely slow himself to swipe his phone.

Rowan: Yeah, definitely dinner and a movie.

"I've got a second date," Rowan laughs, opening up Instagram and types in Finn's name. "Damn, over a million followers."

[rosieoconnell]

Rosie chews on her lower lip, wondering now if Finn's ever been on something like that. For some reason, she doesn't want to ask. She doesn't know why.

"That app would probably cause more problems than not," She muses, at least in Finn's current situation. Though when this whole fake-dating thing is done...maybe he would?

She has more of her waffles, adding one more to her plate and buttering it up, "These are great," She smiles, "Thanks." She tugs her phone out of her pocket when it pings and taps on DND, looking up at her brother, "Becoming a bit more popular than I thought."

[rowanoconnell]

"Probably," Rowan laughs softly, looking down at his phone too. Henry hasn't texted back but it is the weekend. Maybe he's still sleeping and that's okay. Ro thinks he's going to have a lazy day himself, maybe get some groceries later. He drinks his coffee, getting up to pour himself some more and grabs Rosie a mug too.

He looks over his shoulder and nods, "I think that's kind of what happens, you know? Finn is... he's larger than life to some people, Rosie," Finn gives her a soft smile. "How are you feeling about that? You could always private everything. I don't think Finn would care."

[rosieoconnell]

Rosie raises her eyebrows, a soft laugh leaving her lips because oh my gosh, "Ro, Henry is so cutie." She flips through some pics and her eyebrows draw together. Hmm. "He kinda looks familiar for some reason," She hands Ro his phone back, then grins, "Are you sure he's not a secret model for Calvin Klein or something?"

She has some more of her waffle, adding a bit more syrup. Definitely a taste of home that she lets settle right into her bones.

"Let me know how date two goes, okay?" She squeezes his wrist, then, "Uh--no," She laughs, "Unless there's some sort of private dating apps for celebrities and athletes." She blinks, "Wait, do you think they have those?"

[rowanoconnell]

Rowan hums, "Not that he's told me, no," he laughs softly about Henry being a model, though he thinks he probably could be. He smiles to himself because he's definitely going to ask Henry if he is some kind of secret model the next time they go out together. He enjoys getting to know Henry, something about it feels more organic compared to other dates he's been on with people.

"Yeah, Raya," Rowan eats some more pancakes. "Celebrities use it, it's a paid app. And there's a whole application process. I looked into it one time," he laughs as he looks at his sister. "Serious business stuff. Bunch of rules. I don't think a lot of 'normal' people are on it. You gotta get invited."

[rosieoconnell]

Rosie reaches for the waffles, her gaze on Rowan. She's so excited for him that he's managed to find someone that deserves a second date. Dating is so rough, especially on apps? She's done a handful before and shudders about the type of messages she got...let alone meeting up with anyone.

"Oh my god," She grins, buttering her waffles, "Ro, that's amazing." She laughs. Henry sounds decent. "You're a catch, don't forget that." She licks her lips, "Can I see a pic of him?"

[rowanoconnell]

Rowan plates up his waffles and pulls out the other stool to sit at the small square island with Rosie. He drizzles too much syrup over his waffles and begins to cut into them to eat. They're good, their dad's batter recipe for waffles and pancakes and it's always so good. Just the right amount of cinnamon. He eats a few pieces, nodding to his sister. "It's definitely a positive, probably one of the more normal people I've been here," he laughs softly.

He reaches for his phone again, opening the app even though him and Henry moves to texting. Rowan taps on Henry's profile and lets Rosie swipe through his photos.

"You think your fancy fake boyfriend has been on the apps?"