Page 38 of Rookie Attraction

My voice squeaks and I cough to cover it up. I wonder what kind of person Sel is interested in dating. Probably someone sophisticated, gorgeous, and of course, charming and funny. Like him.

All the things I’m not.

Whoa. That is a weird jump in logic, even for me.

When he doesn’t reply, I nudge him with my elbow. “Isn’t that a good thing?”

“No, it’s not.” He turns his head to meet my gaze and it’s clear that the tension is back. His eyes are guarded, his jaw clenched. “Hugo is setting me up on a PR date. An athlete, some guy who just came out. I don’t know who. I’ll find out soon enough. So much for being true to myself.”

“Oh.”

Sel takes another sip of his coffee and sighs.

“Yeah.”

“Well, you never know how it’ll turn out. Maybe you’ll want to date him for real?”

“I’m not in the right headspace for that. For anyone,” he whispers. “If you could keep this between us. I’m not supposed to talk about it. Not that some guys on the team won’t suspect once it hits the news, but still.”

“No worries. My lips are zipped.”

“Thanks, Finn.”

Sel’s shoulders slump and I fight the the urge to comfort him with a hug. Would that be pushing the limit of our tentative friendzone too far, too fast? Probably. I shove my affectionate instinct aside and reach for my phone instead. He clearly doesn’t want to talk about relationship stuff. It’s time to pivot.

“So, the reason I stopped by today and plied you with baked goods is because Coach sent us the link to the game and I was hoping we could review it together. I’d appreciate your expert analysis of our first game, partner.”

Sel leans back, his arms crossed. His posture is all defense, but the smile that breaks through tells me I’m the one who’s scored.

Sel

Breakfast with Finn turns into a two-hour breakdown of last night’s game, which turns into lunch, and then an afternoon watching football. Well, Finn’s watching TV. I’m spending more time studying my teammate than the actual game going on in front of me.

“Holy shit!” Finn exclaims as he leaps off the couch, clutching one hand to his head, the other pointing at the screen. “Did you see that interception, Sel! Did you see that?”

“Unreal.”

It’s all I’ve got since I totally missed what was going on in the game. Is it the second or third quarter? I have no clue.

Focus, Sel.

Watch the fucking game, not the rookie.

Finn reaches down for his Diet Coke and takes a swig. “It’s not over yet. One touchdown and LA could turn it around.”

I’m not invested in the game, but I’ve enjoyed Finn’s enthusiasm for it. Even when he’s sitting still, there’s an unbridled energy about him, and no matter where my thoughts go, they always turn positive while he’s around. Out of all the players I’ve worked with, there’s something special about his vibe. He’s simply himself. While he’s not as blunt as Damien, Finn does have something in common with my oldest friend: there’s no artifice with either of them.

“You’re really into football, aren’t you?”

Finn offers me a slow, wide smile, and the biggest dimples I’ve ever seen pop out.

“I was raised on it. Everyone in my family are diehard college fans. I probably could’ve played if I’d wanted, but nothing captured my heart like hockey.”

“Love at first sight?”

I regret the words as soon as they leave my lips.

“The only time that’s happened to me,” Finn quips.