Page 68 of Rookie Attraction

By the time I reach my room, I’m tempted to turn around and knock on Sel’s door, but I force that urge away. Instead, I swipe my card and no surprise, Kuznetsov’s already asleep on his bed. Or maybe he’s just resting his eyes, because I don’t hear his telltale snoring.

For once. Thank fuck.

I drop the armful of candy on one side of my bed and flop down on the other. My thoughts circle back to Sel and how I didn’t want our lunch to end. He makes me feel like I could talk for hours and he’d still be listening.

Eventually I drift off, but even then, it’s all about the crush I’m trying desperately to fight.

Two hours later, groggy from my not-quite nap, my alarm pings, and I snatch my phone and silence the notification. I blink and glance around the room; Kuznetsov’s already up and dressed.

“Hey, Finn.” Kuz nods. “I’m heading down to grab a coffee. I’ll see you on the bus.”

I nod, and glance at the time. I still have half an hour, which is more than enough time to get ready.

But there’s something I need to do first, and before I know it, I’m sitting up and calling my Sutton U bestie. I remember, too late, about the different time zones, and hope I’m not disrupting him.

“Finn,” Silas’s familiar rumble answers. “What’s up, bud?”

“I’m chilling before the game tonight. You?”

“Damien and I just finished dinner. I’m heading out in a bit to pick up Jo from his friend’s place.”

“Shit, if you’re busy, I can call you tomorrow.”

“It’s good. I have time to talk. How’s Seattle? You ready to punish their ass?”

We’re talking about hockey, but I’m picturing something else entirely.

“Finn?”

“Uh, yes, for sure. The game. I am. I mean, I’m ready. For it. Ready for the game.”

Silas chuckles softly.

“I recognize that ramble. What’s really going on, bud? Are you still nervous? Are you getting along with your teammates?”

I cough and clear my throat.

“In general, things with the Rush are great. I mean, outside of a few asshole teammates who have an issue with Sel being queer, and there’s the fact that we got annihilated by Anaheim, but other than that⁠—”

“Damien told me about those dickheads. Ignore the homophobic fuckers.”

“We’re doing our best.”

“Anything else going on? You sound different.”

Deny it.

“I don’t know where to begin,” I blurt out. “I’m in a situation that’s totally unexpected, and I’m at a loss. I mean, I know what I should do, which is do nothing, but still⁠—”

“Finn?”

I take a deep breath.

“Sorry,” I whisper. “I’m overwhelmed because this thing is… it’s personal.”

“Okay.”

“You remember back when we became friends, when I told you I was demi?”