Page 66 of Rookie Attraction

Wait. What?

Thankfully, despite my shock, I manage to swallow the soup and forego spewing bits of clam and potato all over the table.

“Do you?”

Finn leans in closer.

“For the first time in years I’m into someone I really like. But it scares me. I haven’t felt this way about another person in so long and it’s… it’s complicated. I don’t know if I should tell them how I feel or⁠—”

“Hope that the feeling goes away?” I finish.

Finn nods.

Jealousy slams into me like an opponent on the ice, all the air rushing out of my lungs. I want to ask more questions, but at the same time, I’m afraid to hear his answers. Who is this woman he’s crushing on? Someone in his building? One of the Rush staff?

“I wish I could offer advice,” I reply hoarsely, my emotions rising to the surface. I ruthlessly shove them back down and do what I always do. “Unfortunately, I’m no expert when it comes to relationships. Sex, I’m your man, but anything else⁠—”

Finn coughs and clears his throat.

“I’ll keep that in mind.”

We stick to safer topics of conversation during the rest of lunch and then after, take a long stroll around the venue. Finn takes a million photos, insists on selfies with yours truly, and buys every tourist item he can lay his hands on. He also makes several new friends when he enthusiastically drags me over to view the market’s disgustingly popular wall of gum.

Don’t ask.

It doesn’t matter if we’re talking, taking pics, or enjoying the atmosphere, I find myself smiling and laughing the entire time. I don’t know what I’m doing, except soaking in every second of this experience with Finn.

After an hour of walking, it’s back to our hotel. I’m tempted to ask if he wants to hang out in my room for a while, but I let that idea go. Both of us need rest before the game and I don’t want to take up any more of his time. Time he could be spending with other teammates. Time he could be spending texting whoever it is he’s hung up on.

Anyone but me.

As we enter the lobby, I hear someone calling Finn’s name, then mine. I look around to find Makela, Sorensen, and Berg headed our way.

“Hey, what’ve you guys been up to?” Sorensen asks.

The question is completely innocent, but my internal reaction, not so much.

I’ve been keeping Finn all to myself.

“Sel took me to Pike Place,” Finn replies. “Actually, I dragged him there. He gagged so bad at the wall of gum.”

I snort. “Like you didn’t?”

“Please.” He swats my shoulder playfully. “You ever clean up piles of manure?”

“Thankfully not.” I grimace.

“Well, I have, and trust me, used gum has nothing on that. Only, we should’ve gone there before we ate, not after.”

I nod in agreement. “Next time.”

It takes me a second to remember that we’re not alone. Berg and Makela give each other a look and then stare at us. Sorensen is surprisingly silent too.

“What?” I ask.

“Nothing,” Sorensen adds with a grin. “But what the fuck, man? Why didn’t you text us? We would’ve gone with.”

“It was a last minute thing.” Finn pulls out his phone. “Check out these pics.”