Page 140 of Rookie Attraction

“But he probably thinks it’s all me crushing on you. It’s not something to worry about tonight. Berg won’t say anything, and no one else on the team noticed.” He squeezes my hand. “When are they releasing you?”

“Tomorrow morning.”

“I’ll arrange for a rideshare to pick you up. You’re staying at my place for a while so I can take care of you. No arguments.”

My heart picks up speed at that idea, but then I wonder.

“What if the guys want to stop by to see me this week?”

“Tell them there’s some issue in your unit that can’t be repaired for a few days, and that as your friend, I offered my guest bedroom.”

“And that’s not going to make Berg question us more, and make the others suspicious?”

“I’m not worried about Berg. And if we act normal about it and the others want to come over to mine, they can. No biggie, nothing to hide.”

“And when you head back on the road?”

There’s a hard knock at the door and we quickly pull our hands apart. Fuck, this is frustrating and annoying. Sneaking around might do it for some people, but not me. I’m not ashamed of my feelings for Sel, but there’s also the reality of what it will mean when I come out. Am I brave enough? I want to, I intend to. Then I think of Sel, and all my friends who’ve come out already. My whole life will change forever.

“Stay at my place,” Sel whispers. “I want you there.”

I don’t have time to answer because the door opens, and Xavier appears.

“Visiting time was over hours ago,” my nurse reminds me and offers Sel a pointed look.

“I’ll text you tomorrow,” Sel says politely, and he holds my gaze for a long moment before nodding at my nurse and heading for the door.

After Sel leaves there’s no way I can go right to sleep. Instead of waiting until tomorrow, I call my dad, explain my diagnosis, and the next steps.

“We were so scared, Finn,” my dad croaks.

I know, I just know, that he’s flashing back to Will’s accident. I swallow down the lump that lodges in my throat and close my eyes.

“I’m okay. It’s only a month or so and I’ll be back playing,” I reassure him. “Some of my teammates came to visit me in the hospital tonight. They’re amazing guys.”

“That was kind. Your voice sounds strong, even though I know you’re in a lot of pain.”

Tears prickle my eyes, and I blink them away. I’m in love but I can’t tell anyone. Strong is the last thing I feel.

Chapter Twenty-Five

FINN

THE NEXT DAY

I don’t know how late it was, but I finally managed to crash out after I talked to my dad.

Nine hours of sleep later, and I’m still exhausted. I eat breakfast, take my pain pill, and get final instructions from my doctor. They share my information with the Rush medical team so we can create a plan for the next month and confirm my evaluation after that. Once that’s done, I’m discharged and more than ready to head home.

To Sel’s.

I power up my phone, and it buzzes so many times it sounds like it’s possessed by bees. As soon as I get settled in, I’ll call everyone back.

Searching through my contact list, I tap on Sel’s name at the exact same time he calls me.

“Freaky,” I answer.

He starts laughing. “What?”