Page 64 of Rookie Attraction
“Hungry?” I ask, dazed. “For what?”
“You know, calories, food, fuel.” Finn chuckles. “You sure you didn’t take a whack to the skull in that car?”
Jesus, snap out of it.
Stop thinking with your dick.
“Of course.” I shake my head. “Sorry, I forgot to drink water before we left and I’m kind of out of it.”
“Then lunch first,” he suggests. “And after, a walk?”
“For sure.”
Since I’ve visited Pike Place before, I lead the way. The market is always bustling with tourists, day or night, but at lunchtime, the lineups for food are long. We wait a while to get a seat at my favorite place, but it’s worth it.
Once we settle side by side at a high-top table with a view of the water, we place our orders: clam chowder, crab cakes, grilled halibut, and two large platters of fries. The place isn’t overheated, but I’m sweating up a storm, so I roll up my shirtsleeves and reach for my glass of water while we wait. I keep telling myself it’s only a meal with a teammate, in the centre of a crowded restaurant, in the middle of the day, and yet… it feels like the start of something else. Something I can’t even begin to put into words.
“I know I keep saying ‘wow’ at every city we go to, but wow,” Finn comments as he points to the skyline. “I can’t believe this is my life now. Every new place has me wanting to see more.”
“Traveling is a perk of the job, no question.” I smile. “Although, by the end of the season, you’re gonna be happy to park your ass on a couch for a couple of weeks and not go anywhere. And it can be difficult to be away from family and friends for so much of the year.”
“I’m sure.” Finn rubs a hand over his jaw. “Does your mom ever come to watch your games in person?”
I nod.
“She visited Chicago when I played there. She also takes a few trips to Toronto to watch Karson, and once a year she flies to Sweden to see Atticus.”
“Is she planning on coming to New York?”
I take a long sip of water.
“I’ve talked to her about it, but I haven’t mentioned it to head office yet. It’s on my list of things to do.” I pause, lowering my voice. “After what happened in Chicago, I told her she was better off staying home at first. I didn’t know how people would react and I didn’t want fans, or the team, to say or do anything to upset her.”
“That’s understandable. And now?”
“I think it’s time.” I hope it is. “Maybe in the new year. What about you? Your mom and dad coming to watch you play?”
Shit, I just remembered what he told me about his mom and her diagnosis.
“Sorry, Finn, I forgot—”
“It’s okay.” He places a warm hand on my forearm, the touch sparking ripples of electricity over my skin. “She’s not able to travel yet, and my dad won’t leave her, but when she’s feeling better, when the doctor gives her the all-clear, they’ll come visit for sure. Meantime, I’ve invited my siblings, but I hope they don’t all come at once. I don’t think the team could handle that many Barans in one corporate box.”
I chuckle.
“They all chatterboxes too?” I tease.
“You have no idea.”
“I look forward to meeting them.”
He shakes his head.
“You say that now, but just wait. My brother Will especially. He’s my biggest supporter. You’ll probably hear his cheers above anyone else’s.”
“I can’t wait to meet him. And the rest of your family.”
I glance down, and Finn’s strong, freckled hand is still gripping my forearm. He doesn’t seem to notice that he’s touching me or maybe he’s good with it. Either way, I’m not saying anything. I’m going to revel in his attention any way I can get it.
