He yanked his second foot out of its skate and turned to face Finn head-on. Then he held out his hand. “Let’s start over. I’m Robbie Zeiger, former NHL player and currently semi-closeted bisexual. I’m into yoga,Baba Is You, and podcasts about weird-but-true history. I’m basically a single father to a lunatic kid who’s also a sweetheart who wants me to get over my ‘internalized toxic masculinity and compulsory-heterosexual impulses’ so that I can ‘live free without fear of the closet.’ That’s a direct quote.”
Finn’s lingering tension and embarrassment melted under Robbie’s ridiculous if honest introduction. He took Robbie’s hand and shook it. “Hi, Robbie. I’m Finn Graham, former competitive figure skater turned reality TV choreographer. I live with my soul sibling who also happens to be a producer and very persuasive. I’m bisexual, which most people only accept after seeing footage of me skating with my female ex-partner, since they assume the dick sucking is a given. I’m into home reno DIY,This Old House, and movie nights with my roommate and/or baby sister. Who sometimes likes to drag your kid along.”
“Nice to meet you, Finn,” Robbie said formally, then huffed a laugh. “Does my kid really crash your movie nights?”
Finn waffled a hand in the air. “If Imogen shows up, fifty-fifty she’s got Sawyer with her.”
Robbie considered this. Sawyer wasn’t big into movies, preferring instead the shortform or online-based content typical of his generation. Well, semi-typical. Sawyer was vocal in hisrejection of anything Gen Z or Gen Alpha that he thought perpetuated antiquated social norms. His words. Again.
“You have snacks at these movie nights, don’t you.”
“Somany snacks,” Finn agreed cheerfully. “Popcorn for me and Holly, peanut M&M’s for Imogen, chocolate pretzels for Sawyer. Then of course there’s the drinks.”
“Oh good. I was worried that wasn’t enough salt and sugar.”
“Don’t worry,” Finn said solemnly. He patted Robbie’s shoulder. “Sawyer and Imogen prefer flavored bubbly water, so no calories there. They make up for it by eating a pint of Ben & Jerry’s each.”
“So what you’re telling me is that my teen has been doing his best to eat you out of house and home without even so much as an introduction between us? I am so sorry.”
Finn laughed and shook his head. “Nah, don’t worry about it. Seriously. Holly owns the house, mortgage-free, so we can feed a couple of kids snacks once or twice a month. Also, Sawyer and Imogen are a riot, and their commentary on films is worth the price of admission.”
Huh. That sounded—okay, that sounded like fun, and Robbie wanted to join. “Trying to make me jealous, Graham?”
Finn turned pink, but he stubbornly lifted his chin. Robbie wanted to pinch his cheeks. “Not my fault if your Friday nights are boring. Just because some of us know how to throw a party….”
Somehow, it felt right that this charismatic man spent his Friday evenings entertaining his baby stepsister instead of picking up fellow beautiful people in clubs. Of course Finn would rather stay in on a Friday night with his loved ones, engaging in a boring and predictable routine.
For most of his life, various coaches and hockey organizations had conditioned Robbie to follow routines. Superstition told him routine meant safety. He could empathize.
“Thanks. Next time I throw a party, I’ll remember you’re too busy to join,” Robbie laughed and peeled off his shirt. “Okay, seriously, though, time for a shower.”
Finn waved him off, and Robbie went in search of hot water. He hoped this place had at least semi-decent water pressure.
Chapter Five
Sister Finn Goes to Pride
Transcript fromseason 7 episode 1 ofDANCE YOUR ICE OFF
GREENROOM
FINN and ROBBIE sit together on a couch. FINN is holding a tablet.
ROBBIE
What are we doing?
FINN
Watching.
ROBBIE
Yes, I guessed that, what with the tablet and the YouTube. Watching what, though?
FINN
Our national icons. Our great Canadian duo, the ice-dancing king and queen—
