Then, of course, Chad stormed by in his tiny strongman getup and scowled at them both, which had the same effect as a bucket of ice water.
They did the group dance number and then headed backstage to change again before they settled in the stands to watch the competing pairs.
Halfway through the second performance, Finn saw the writing on the wall. Kevin was headed home. He couldn’t keep up, and Emily had been charming even when she lacked full proficiency.
Afterward, they headed backstage for one last change—just because they looked casual, didn’t mean they were—Finn and Robbie found themselves with about two whole minutes in private.
“Tomorrow?” Robbie purred softly, his eyes making all sorts of promises.
Finn swallowed. “Tomorrow.” His voice came out hoarse. “Text me details.”
At that point Sawyer and Imogen arrived, all limbs, energy, and enthusiasm. They’d come alone tonight, because as much as Finn’s parents loved him, they couldn’t commit two nights a week all summer to watch him skate for less than ten minutes. But apparently fourteen-year-olds on summer vacation had nothing better to do.
Or, Finn reflected as Sawyer hugged Robbie and asked several questions, maybe they wanted to keep an eye on their plotting.
Finn slung an arm around Imogen’s shoulders and asked her what she thought of the program.
“The skate-off was predictable. But the opening number was fun. Especially the costumes. I liked your outfit best, Robbie,” Imogen added with a smile in his direction.
Robbie laughed. “Yeah? The magician’s look suited me, do you think?”
“Well,” Sawyer said cheekily, “you are kinda flashy and cheesy.”
“Thanks.” Robbie laughed and ruffled his hair.
By the time Finn dropped Imogen at her place and settled into bed at home, there was a new picture text waiting for him. Another screenshot of a hotel booking. If Finn had a Pavlovian response to the mention of book-in times, well, no one else had to know.
He reached down to cup himself, then remembered Robbie telling him last time not to jerk off. He pulled his hand away and flushed hot as he thought about Robbie’s reaction when Finn admitted to waiting for permission.
Like a good… good girl.
He groaned and buried his face in his pillows.
Then he lifted his head enough to text back a string of emojis: thumbs-up, heart, looking eyes, eggplant, peach.
Robbie sent back a droplets emoji and then followed it up withGo to sleep, sweetheart, and be good. I’ll see you tomorrow.
Finn fell asleep with a smile. He couldn’t wait to have Robbie all to himself.
So naturally, not two hours before he was supposed to leave, Finn’s phone rang with a call from Scott, the manager at the skate club where Finn taught.
Twenty minutes later, he hung up and stared at his phone in shock. Then he dialed Robbie.
“I’m going to be late.”
“Everything all right?”
“Yeah. Yeah, uh.” Finn blinked at the wall, still processing.
“Finn? You’re kinda freaking me out here, baby,” Robbie prompted softly.
“Shit, oh, sorry. I’m fine, honestly. It’s just that, uh, my boss at the skate club phoned me.” When Finn wasn’t busy withDance, he coached kids of various ages in synchronized skating and ice dance. “He wants me to come down for a meeting.”
“Why do you sound kind of sick about that, sweetheart?” Robbie asked gently.
How could he tell through the phone? Finn exhaled slowly. “I don’t know why he wants me to come in. Unless he found out I never submitted my portfolio for regionals coach, but….” But that wouldn’t impact his current course load, andScott might be disappointed, but not enough to call him into a meeting about it.
“He probably wants to see you because you’re a talented skater and excellent coach. Maybe this is the chance you’ve been waiting for,” Robbie suggested.
