The sales clerk beamed. “Of course, sir, what would you like?”
Robbie pointed and refused to second—third?—guess himself.
He didn’t even argue when the clerk upsold him to a near identical but twice as expensive model.
It was all for Finn, because Robbie was going to fix this.
Chapter Fourteen
Wish You Weren’t so Fuckin’ Awkward, Bud
Finn awokethe next morning with regrets.
Not from drinking—his dad never would have let Finn overindulge to the point of regret. At least, not with alcohol.
Food was another matter. Finn should have never agreed to that last round of barbecue.
He groaned as he rolled over. He was being punished for his life choices. This was what he got for deciding to eat his feelings instead of dealing with them like an adult.
To be fair to Finn, he had totally managed to adult after his conversation with Imogen. He was processing… until Producer Paul called.
The travelling show was pretty much a done deal at this point, and at first Finn thought Producer Paul was calling to see if Finn wanted to stay on board as choreographer. Then he threw the curveball.
“We’ve been talking about how much the camera likes you, Finn. If this season has proved anything, it’s that you’re wasted behind the scenes.”
“Uh, thanks?”
“We want to keep you in front, let you put that charm to good use. How would you like to be Michelle’s replacement? Take over her hosting duties.”
“Um,” Finn had said. Thankfully, Producer Paul only laughed and told Finn to take a few days to think about it. In the meantime, he would have his assistant email the details about the contract so Finn could make “an informed decision.”
Shortly afterwards, as he eyed the estimated travel time and the number of zeros on the paycheck, Finn decided reinforcements were in order and headed for his dad’s bar.
His dad listened while Finn told him about the competing job opportunities and rambled about the pros and cons. He didn’t ask any follow-up questions about why travel “might be nice right now,” saving Finn from having to tell his dad that he’d once again given his heart to someone who didn’t want to keep it, and this time Finn couldn’t run home to escape them because they were already here. He also didn’t ask about who had texted Finn and made him frown and then ignore his phone for the rest of the night.
He’d just nodded and given Finn more food and then asked, “Kid, if someone called right now to tell you it’s a done deal, who do you want it to be?”
Scott. No question. That was the dream job.
But Finn wasn’t sure he could survive being in the same city as Robbie right now.
“It’s not a done deal, though. I’m sure they’re talking to lots of coaches.” He snorted. “Probably actual coaches with high-level coaching experience.”
His dad gave him the same look he’d given preteen Finn when he was being dramatic. “You telling me that teaching adults—fully grown people used to being the top of theirprofession—how to do something they’ve never done before isn’t coaching?”
Finn didn’t have an answer for that, so he changed the subject, and his dad let him.
And now Finn was awake and facing a new day of practice with Robbie and deeply regretting that last plate of food. Pretzel bites and beer-cheese dip were not exactly the high protein, fat, and fibre content he needed to fuel a day on the ice.
Figuring the outlook on his day wouldn’t get any better from his bed, Finn stumbled out of it and focused on his morning routine. At least he could lose himself in that well enough to shut down his brain for a little while.
But then he had to go to work.
Naturally, avoiding thoughts of Robbie and heartbreak and life-changing decisions worked better when the man wasn’t standing in front of him.
“Morning, Finn.” He smiled, though it looked a bit forced.
God, Finn did not want to talk about their situationship. He did not want to hear whatever Robbie wanted to say. Yesterday, when he readMiss you already, Finn assumed that meant Robbie was horny. But now, looking at his expression… what if the request to talk wasthatrequest to talk? Finn could not work with this man if he broke his heart.
