Page 133 of Rookie Attraction
“Call me later?”
“Nine?”
Finn licks his lip.
“I’ll be waiting.”
He offers me a wink before his face disappears from my screen, and man, I’m such a sap. I miss him already. Casual Kirkland has left the building and I’m not sure if he’s ever coming back. There’s still a nagging fear that lingers, but I’m ready for this convo, I’m prepared.
The second I call Miki my ability to remain calm shatters. When he answers, I blurt everything out.
“I have something important to tell you, but this stays between us and only us,” I say immediately. “Okay?”
“Of course.”
“I’m involved with another NHL player.”
A long pause doesn’t mean good things.
“Involved as in, you’re fucking another player?” he hisses.
I want to say it’s more than fucking, but I don’t.
“Yes, and there’s another issue.” I close my eyes. “He’s a teammate.”
“Are you freaking kidding me?” Miki yells. “What the hell? Are you out of your—”
I pull the phone away from my ear and wait until the loud swearing stops.
“Don’t, Mik. The last thing I need right now is a lecture. I talked to him before I called you and he’s okay with you knowing. But only you because we have a level of trust that goes beyond hockey contracts. He’s not out. He’s not ready. Yet. Or maybe ever. I don’t know.”
Miki sighs.
“Alright, let’s hear it,” he says calmly.
“It’s one of your new clients. It’s Finn.”
“Baran? The rookie?” he whispers. “Holy fuck.”
“We’re only telling you because we need a plan in case someone finds out and goes to the press before we do. Not that we’ll probably need a plan because we’re being careful. And you know, this is me. I’ve never had a girlfriend or boyfriend so it’s highly doubtful that this will last anyway.”
Every time I say that it makes me nauseous. Maybe it’s crazy, but I want me and Finn to last. I’m also a realist. Finn’s risking a lot and I’m not sure I’m worth it.
“Why tell me all this if you think it’ll be over soon?”
“Because you never know. You’ve seen all the ‘bromance’ coverage about us.”
“Your chemistry on the ice is obvious. But I didn’t realize it crossed over.”
“Like I said, this whole thing may never be an issue. Finn and I might be done sooner rather than later and then no one needs to know.” My stomach flips over. “We can forget about it.”
I hate lying to Miki, to anyone, but worst of all, to myself.
Chapter Twenty-Four
SELWIN
NY RUSH VS. CHICAGO BANDITS
