God, Robbie wanted to see him. Robbie wanted to fall into bed with him and spend a few eternities mapping that body with his tongue. Wanted to wring orgasm after orgasm from him from the inside, and then curl up around him and sleep until they could do it again.
But tonight he had other priorities. “Hi, sweetheart. I have some bad news.”
Right away, Finn was all business. “What happened? Is Sawyer okay?”
“He’s fine, physically. His grandparents are filing for custody of old what’s-her-name. I just broke the news.”
There was a pause before Finn said, incredulously, “Old what’s-her-name?”
Okay, Robbie could see how that might need context. “The artist currently known as Sawyer. You know. That’s what he calls it when people use his deadname. Humor as a defence mechanism or whatever.”
He could hear Finn fighting to smother a giggle even as he asked, “Is that… healthy?”
“What am I, the gender expression police?” He couldn’t imagine a job he was less qualified for. “His therapist said it’s okay for him to deal with it however he likes as long as he’s dealing with it.”
“That sounds… reasonable.” He could see Finn turning that thought over the same way Robbie had, looking for flaws. “But uh, I guess this means we’re postponing tonight?”
“Unfortunately, it looks like duty calls. Sawyer didn’t even want to see Imogen, again, so you know it’s dire.”
“I get it.”
“I know you do.” But that didn’t mean Robbie was just going to leave him hanging. “We’ll reschedule as soon as we can, I promise.”
“I’ll hold you to it. But no hard feelings, eh?”
Robbie snorted. “Well…somehard feelings.”
Finn laughed. “You’re such a child.”
“That’s why I hang out with one,” Robbie agreed cheerfully. “See you soon, princess.”
Chapter Ten
The Payoff
Scott didn’tbeat around the bush. As soon as Finn knocked on his door, he stood up, smiling, and offered his hand. “Finn! Thanks for taking the time, I know your schedule’s nuts with filming going on. Good to see you back on the ice, by the way.”
Some of the tension left Finn’s gut, and he smiled back. “Thanks. Hope I’m not too rusty.”
Scott gestured him to a chair. “So here’s the thing. I need a new coach for a pair of twelve-year-old ice dancers, and I think you’d be a good fit.”
Oh. Finn licked his lips, trying to reconcile this information. Before he could ask any questions, Scott went on.
“The problem is I need someone with provincial qualifications.”
So the kids weregood. Finn’s stomach sank. He hadn’t sent in his final assignment to qualify for regionals; he couldn’t even apply for the provincial courses to be allowed an in-training designation. He shook his head. “I don’t understand. You know I don’t….”
“Don’t have your regional?” Scott asked. “Funny thing about that. I got CC’d on one of those reminder emails CanSkate sent you. You know what’s great about the fact that you workin entertainment, Finn?” He leaned forward. “There is so much footage of you teaching. I asked your producer for it. So. Congratulations, you’re eligible to apply.” He slid an official-looking paper across the desk. He saw the wordsFinn GrahamandRegional Coach.
That was so much new information that he felt dizzy with it, like he needed to sit down. He was already sitting down. His heart needed to relax. “Uh. Uh, okay, but—doesn’t Carlos usually…?”
“Yeah, Carlos.” Scott huffed. “Carlos is about to do eighteen months for tax fraud. Surprise!”
Oh my God.How bad did you have to fuck up to serve more than a year for that?
“Look, I can see you weren’t expecting this.” Scott softened and shook his head. “Which, okay, I can kind of see, since I took some liberties. You’re welcome.”
“Thanks?” Finn tried weakly.
