Page 186 of Rookie Attraction

“I’m in love with Finn,” I announce loudly.

Four sets of eyes look at me. Yes, even the dogs notice that something major is happening.

“Shit, I meant to keep my mouth shut until Atticus called.”

“He just did,” Mom replies and turns her tablet around.

My baby brother’s face appears. With a mop of chestnut curls, angelic gray eyes, and a mouth that knows no boundaries, he can pretty much get away with saying, or doing, anything. He’s biting his lower lip to keep from smiling. The razzing’s about to unleash and I know it’s going to be brutal.

“Celery, you fucker!” Atticus yells, and his sudden voice scares the dogs off my lap. “You always know how to make a dramatic entrance.”

“Fuck off, twerp.”

“Ooh, you’re getting testy as you near thirty.”

“I’m not nearing thirty!”

“You’ll be twenty-nine in June, do the math. I can, and I’m already drunk,” he giggles.

“Shut up.”

Reluctantly, I move to sit beside my mom so we can all see Atticus, and she gives me a raised eyebrow.

“You’re in love with your teammate?” she asks quietly.

“That wasn’t the way I wanted to tell you.”

“How else were you going to say it?” Atticus grins. “Hey fam, Finn and I are fucking!”

Mom turns to the screen with a warning look, and my baby brother doesn’t make a sound.

“As I was saying,” I continue. “It’s not just sex. I love him. And we’re exclusive.”

“You? Wait, hold on, you’re in an actual relationship? And you’re monogamous?” Atticus blurts out.

“No that it’s any of your business, but yes.”

“I thought you were allergic.”

This time, it’s my turn to give Atticus a glare.

“I know it’s crazy because, hello, we both work in the hockey world, and you’re going to ask me if I’ve lost my fucking mind and all common sense, but I haven’t. I love him, he loves me. It’s real and it’s right. And I wanted you guys to know because I don’t want to lie to you.”

“What about dating that football star—” Mom starts.

“Fake. And it’s done.”

“But Finn isn’t out, is he?” Mom continues, her eyes filling with worry.

I shake my head.

“And what will management say when they find out about the two of you? The rest of your team?”

“First off, Finn just told his family about us. He needs time to process that. Miki knows, Hugo sort of knows, and our teammates and management will know when we feel the time is right.”

“Which is when?” Karson adds.

“We don’t know yet, but sooner rather than later. Taylor confirmed to the press he and I are done. Add to that, Brady’s mouthing off to the media that I’m a distraction to the team and fueling rumors about me and Finn. Then again, I’m not sure that announcing that the rookie and I are dating is a smart idea right now. One shocking news item at a time.”