Page 58 of Rookie Attraction

Finn laughs and offers a rude hand gesture with his candy.

Chapter Twelve

FINN

Dealing with PR stuff as a professional player is a learning curve. Hugo seems happy about our recent win and the related publicity Sel and I have garnered. At the same time, he starts messaging me, all up in my business, going so far as to call me last night to suggest I need a PR date.

“Why?”

“For a newbie like you, it’ll raise your profile if you’re seen with a celebrity.”

“For what purpose?” I challenged him. “All I want to do is play hockey.”

“Think about it,” Hugo urged. “It’ll be a great way to gain more attention for you and the team and to attract sponsors.”

“Don’t I get sponsors based on how I play? And isn’t it my agent’s job to line that up?”

“It is, yes,” Hugo sighed. “But I’m giving you the suggestion to think about it.”

“I don’t need to. I’ll pass.”

“Suit yourself. You let me know if you change your mind.”

Would I? A date, even a fake one, isn’t on my wish list. The very idea makes me break out into a cold sweat. Most people go on a date to get to know someone. Me? I need to get to know someone before any dating takes place…

Instead of ruminating about it, I head for the dining room for breakfast. Sel’s already there, and we’re the first ones to arrive. My determination to forget Hugo’s comments lasts three seconds as I replay the conversation to Sel. He doesn’t have much to say, except that I should do what’s right for me. Then there’s no more time to worry about it because the rest of the team trickle in. We’re on a deadline, so we scarf down breakfast and head for the bus.

It’s a short drive to our next destination so I distract myself by listening to music, tapping my feet relentlessly and annoying Makela, who has the misfortune to sit next to me. I can’t help it. We’re about to face Anaheim, the home of the Fury, and anyone who knows hockey knows the name fits their reputation. My instinct tells me our game will be no exception; it’s gonna be rough. Since we don’t play until tomorrow, though, we’ve got a day to prepare.

I’m not stressing. Much.

Two hours and much fidgeting later, the bus comes to a seat-clutching stop. We step out to sunshine, with another impressive hotel to take in. Everyone’s in a good mood, so I guess I’m the nervous outlier. Even assholes like St. Clare and Brady seem to be on their best behavior. They talk without making insinuations, and leave Sel alone, but I still don’t trust them.

I’m one of the last to line up for check-in, along with Berg, Sel, and Kuz, and the more we talk, the more relaxed I am. The four of us head for the elevator with our bags in tow.

“What floor are you on?” I ask Sel.

“Eight. You?”

“Same.”

It turns out that my room is directly across from Sel’s but he’s luckier than me; he’s not sharing with anyone. I’m tempted to suggest I switch roommates, but I know it’s not done, and since Berg is within earshot, he’d be the first to reprimand me. As a rookie, I need to suck it up and deal. It’s fine. Despite Kuz’s lethal snoring, he’s a friendly guy, he’s neat—one of us has to be—and he doesn’t hog the bathroom. Kuz grew up on a farm, like me, and while we click in many ways, it’s different from how I am with Sel.

Shut up already about Kirkland.

Fuck, I’m so needy lately. I try to push the feeling down, but every day I spend with Sel, the harder it is to deny that I’m in over my head. This bro crush is getting out of hand. I keep telling myself that’s all it is, I’m not into guys and he isn’t into me. Him and me together? Please, Sel would never look at me that way.

Kuz makes a joke, but I don’t react because I’m too busy staring at Sel’s reflection in the mirrored doors. My partner didn’t shave, and the thick, dark scruff suits him. And when his laugh lets loose? The velvety sound hits me right in the balls, goosebumps popping up all over my body. With his head tilted back, I study Sel, mesmerized by the sight of his Adam’s apple bobbing up and down.

Why is that so freaking hot?

Once I start down a dangerous rabbit hole, I can’t stop.

What does Sel’s skin taste like?

How would it feel against mine?

Sel catches my gaze, and I could be imagining it, but I swear he’s looking at me with the same lusty intensity.