Page 16 of Rookie Attraction

“Oh, uh, okay.”

I don’t miss the disappointment on Finn’s face, and I feel like shit. Until I remember that he’s better off making friends with someone else.

“Rain check?” I add.

Finn nods.

The guilt hits me hard because it’s one promise I have no intention of keeping.

Chapter Four

SELWIN

My first week in New York goes by before I know it. I settle into my condo, which is bigger than I expected, and get into a solid routine. My days are packed with workouts, practices, and meetings with Hugo and his PR team. Gone are the days when I’d be out at a party or a bar in the evening and late into the night. Now I don’t see or talk to anyone outside of work. And by the time my day’s done, I’m too tired to be lonely. I keep my interactions with my teammates short but polite.

Even with Finn. Especially with Finn.

It pains me to be cold to him, but it’s for the best. All I want is to make it through this season as quietly as I can and then things will get easier.

When? Well, that I don’t know.

No one on the team has said anything negative to me, but I sense a subtle shift with a few of the guys. Brady and St. Clare, two of my fellow d-men, barely make eye contact outside the ice. Maybe they’re not friendly or maybe it’s me. I wonder if anyone else has picked up on it. Is it because I’m new to the team, or does it have to do with my sexuality? My guess is the latter because the two seem okay with the rest of the guys. They even talk to Finn once a while.

Speaking of my defensive partner…

“Hey.”

I finish lacing up my skates and look up to find anxious eyes staring back at me.

“Hey, Finn. How’s it going?”

“Good. Great. How about you?”

He shifts awkwardly from one foot to the other, and I feel like crap for being cold to him.

“Same, but I’m looking forward to a break this weekend before the chaos of the season starts.”

“Yeah, no shit.” He pauses and bites his lower lip. “Is… is everything okay?”

“Of course. Why do ask?”

His shoulders drop.

“You seem really quiet this week. Like, barely talking. I hope I didn’t do or say anything to upset you.”

“No, not at all. It’s not that.” I look around, but no one seems to be paying us any attention. “I just think it best if we stick to communicating on the ice. For your sake.”

Awareness dawns in Finn’s expression and he shakes his head.

“In case you haven’t noticed, Sel, I’m a big boy just like you,” he snaps. “I can handle myself. And I don’t let anyone dictate who I can and can’t talk to.”

I’m not surprised by Finn’s statement but the tone of his voice. Unfortunately, I don’t get a chance to reply because he stalks off toward the exit. Stunned by his reaction, I finish getting my gear on, grab my stick, and head for the ice. Finn’s already warming up and I skate in his direction, only, the glare he gives me has me stopping short. I’ve never seen him pissed off before, like an angry ginger cat, and it’s unnerving. I need to talk to him, to explain. He’s got to see that I have a point. The less interaction with me the better.

“Trouble with the rookie already? You gonna create drama here too?”

What the fuck? I turn around to find Brady smirking.

“There’s no trouble.”