“I did. But you might wanna keep it till you’re done with first breakfast.” She beamed and continued into the kitchen. “I hope no one’s naked in here!”
“Fuck no!” Will’s snarl made Finn cringe and Russ and Linc glance over their shoulders to offer matching sympathetic stares.
“Finn, come see this cake!” The last place Finn wanted to be was in a confined space with both Molly and Will, but his feet moved him forward to Will’s voice nonetheless.
Molly brandished a long two-layer cake with the Snow Pirate’s logo in the middle and everyone’s name and numbers printed around it. A model version of Will, on skates, holding his stick stood above their logo, with a C on his chest and it said “Congratulations” in blue cursive writing around the skater.
“Did you make this?” Linc reached out to touch the frosting but Russ slapped his hand away.
Molly snorted. “I didn’t. I got Quinn to make it. Sabrina’s bestie? She’s wicked talented in the kitchen.”
Russ nodded. “Can confirm.” He patted his stomach. “I’ve had to up my gym time to compensate for the deliciousness.”
Molly slid the cake onto the table. “It’s eggless too.” She gave a pointed stare to Austin who smiled.
“Does no one actually remember that Austin doesn’t even like sweets?” Will shook his head. “Poor fucker’s forcing down pancakes and now he has to pretend to like cake?” He draped his arm around Austin’s shoulders. “It’s okay man, I’ll save you from the cake.”
Austin patted Will’s arm. “Such a selfless man, Cap.”
“I do what I can.” Will dropped his empty breakfast plate into the sink, but kept his fork. He swept it through the corner of the cake, swooped up a huge mouthful, and crammed it in his mouth. He moaned. “I think I’ve died and gone to heaven.”
“Do you need a minute, Willy?” Her laugh was like a breath of air to Finn’s tight lungs. “Anyways, I just wanted to stop by to drop it off and say congratulations. We’re all very proud of you guys.” She made her way back toward the door, brushing her fingertips against Finn’s as she passed, sending a jolt to his crotch.
Will followed her out, closing the door behind her after she left. When he turned back, he paused. “Weren’t you having a shower before pancakes?”
“Not hungry.” His stomach churned. “Still not right after last night.”
Will nodded grabbing his arm. “Hey, did you talk to your mom? About the kidney thing?” Finn’s personal life was public knowledge in the hockey house, so Will didn’t need to keep it quiet.
“I did. She’s still interested in having a relationship with me… in rebuilding. Or trying to rebuild, I guess.”
Will scrubbed his chin. “I need to shave this shit off, it’s driving me insane.”
Finn laughed. “Right? Itchy as fuck, man.”
“So.” Will shrugged. “You gonna see her again? Your mom, I mean. Not your mysterious lady friend from last night.”
The invisible cords around Finn’s chest tightened again while he nodded. “I think so, yeah. We’re going to take it slow. No family dinners with her new husband and son or anything. But I’d like to reconnect with her, get to know who she is now that she’s on the mend. She’s on antidepressants and anti-anxiety meds, she’s in therapy… She’s doing much better.”
After a moment of heavy silence, Finn turned to climb the stairs. “Oh.” He paused. “She said she’d like to meet some of my friends sometime. I know it’s a lot to ask, but if we ever get to that point, I was kinda hoping…”
“Ride or die, brother. You know you don’t even need to ask.”
Finn’s voice caught in his throat and continued to swell as he ascended the stairs to his room. Would it always feel so bad? So dirty? Like the ultimate betrayal of his friendship with Will? He swallowed, but the bitterness coating his mouth didn’t budge.
At the top of the stairs, his phone vibrated in his pocket. He waited until he was in the privacy of his bedroom before he tugged the phone from his pants and read the message.
Molly:Wanna come to an open house with me?
Molly:It’s not weird, right? To text the morning after?
Molly:Too needy?
Molly:It’s too needy, right?
Molly:Never mind. Forget I asked.
Molly:In fact, forget I ever texted.
