Page 42 of Rookie Attraction

To play it safe, instead of taking him up on his offer, I stay where I am but shift slightly. No more tussling with him unless it’s on the ice.

“Appreciated, but I’m okay.”

“So, what’re we having for dinner?”

Hockey players never stop thinking about their next meal.

“Dinner?”

“Unless you have your date tonight?”

“Not tonight.” I shake my head. “Next Friday.”

“Alright.” He claps his hands and rubs them together. “That means for now, you’re all mine.”

He’s referring to us as friends, but the deep tone of his voice has me reacting to his words like a fucking horny teenager. Slowly, I lower the pillow to my lap.

Jesus, I need to go out and get laid.

“Really?” I croak and clear my throat. “I mean, yeah, sure, we can hang out.”

“Because once you start dating that gorgeous athlete⁠—”

“Football player. Taylor Grimaldi.”

“Holy shit, Grimaldi?” Finn exclaims. “He’s the newest tight end for New York and so freaking good. He’s out? Why didn’t I know this?”

“It’s very recent. I didn’t know either until Hugo told me. Then again, I haven’t exactly been online that much. Not lately.”

I make a mental note to check out Taylor’s backstory so I can find out more about him.

“Anyway,” Finn continues. “Once you start dating Taylor, you’ll be busy.”

“Not too busy for a friend.”

Finn’s smile lights up the room. “Promise?”

“Swear on my surfboard.”

Chapter Nine

FINN

NY (OCTOBER)

I step into the Rush training rink, and like the first time, like every time, I can’t help but squeal with excitement. Internally, of course, because even if I’m not cool, I can act cool. Not that I hold back my inner geek with my friends. I send them pictures and log every moment like I’m making a podcast about the rookie experience. My texts are full of mind-blown emojis every time I discover something new.

Or anytime you’re talking about Sel.

I still can’t believe I’m playing my first pro season with him. Not just playing, hanging out. It’s amazing that we’ve become fast friends. Which is why I haven’t mentioned to Sel what I overheard on game night at the Velvet Beast. The last thing he needs is negative crap from teammates getting in his head. I’m waiting to see what Brady and St. Clare are like this week. So far things have calmed, and they’ve been fine on the ice, but I don’t miss Brady’s side-eye every time Sel’s around.

We’ve got another home game coming up and then we hit the road, heading west to California. Before our road trip, however, Sel has his “date” with Taylor Grimaldi. I’ve been reading up on Taylor, and the football star isn’t just talented when it comes to football, he’s sophisticated, well-spoken, and handsome. I’ll be shocked as hell if Sel doesn’t fall for him. Still, I’m feeling protective about Sel, and I worry that Taylor might try to take advantage of the situation. The very idea is laughable, I know, but I get like this when it comes to my friends. I’m intense once I commit to a relationship, and I’m fiercely protective of my friends, no matter what.

Sel’s probably sick of me by now. Not that he acts like it. In fact, he texts me as often as I text him. Like yesterday, when he was walking through Central Park and sent me a bunch of photos, including a selfie of himself sitting by the lake. Admittedly, I saved the picture. I thought playing alongside my idol would be hard to beat, but getting to know Sel as a person is even better. He talks a lot about his brothers and how close they are, and his love for his family reminds me of my own. Sel’s sense of humor is slowly making a comeback too, along with that incredible smile, and his mood seems to be improving every time we talk. Not that that has anything to do with me, though. I’m sure it’s his friends, like Damien, and his family that have made all the difference.

The weird thing is, I’m feeling kinda possessive about my friend. Last time I was at Sel’s place, I suggested we head out and grab a beer at a local bar. He told me he had other plans and left it at that. And he didn’t offer any details, I didn’t ask, so I assumed his silence meant he was going out to get laid. It shouldn’t have bothered me, but my stomach twisted painfully at the thought. My friends talk about their hookups and it’s no biggie, but strangely enough, I don’t want to hear about Sel’s. Not that it stops me from wondering who he was with, what kind of man or woman he’s attracted to, and plenty of other questions I have no right to be thinking about.

It’s only because he’s vulnerable and you’re concerned.