Page 145 of Rookie Attraction

“Not for long.”

Entering his place feels like home. More than mine does. I never want to leave. Suddenly, the words I need to say to him are right there on the tip of my tongue. They can’t wait any longer.

“Sel, I need to tell you⁠—”

“Later. First you need to go lie down,” he insists as he heads off to his bedroom. “Ice your shoulder, eat, and take your pain meds. Then sleep.”

“But—” I say as I follow him.

“Oh, sorry, do you want a shower first?”

“Uh, yeah, I think so. Maybe?”

I can’t even answer a simple freaking question because I’m shaking all over, trying to hold onto what’s left of my control. What if I say it and he doesn’t say it back?

“Hey.” Sel turns and cups my face. “You’re trembling. Go lie down. I’ll help you shower and change the sheets later, alright?”

I nod nervously, swallowing past what feels like a couple of pucks stuck in my throat. He puts down my bag, helps me undress, gets me settled in bed, and grabs a couple of soft ice packs for my shoulder.

“Close your eyes,” he reassures me. “I’ll be back in a bit to bring you something to eat. Any preferences?”

I shake my head, not sure I’m capable of eating anything. I lean against his pillows, close my eyes, and sink into the mattress. My arm is cold, but the rest of my body’s warming up and my heart’s pounding out of control. Fuck, I think I need to go back to the hospital.

You have time to tell him.

The stress of the last twenty-four hours catches up to me. I nod off for I don’t know how long, until Sel’s voice breaks through my dream.

“Time to eat, Finn,” he says softly.

I admit, despite my earlier nerves, my hunger is back.

“I hope you like grilled salmon and pasta with roasted veg?”

I nod.

Sel places a tray over my lap and sits down opposite me.

“Do you need help with⁠—”

I hold my good hand up and shake my head. “Thanks for the offer, but I can feed myself.”

“Maybe next time we can feed each other,” he offers with a wink.

“That, I’m down for.”

I scarf down the delicious food while Sel talks about the rest of the week: the next practice, upcoming games, one against New Jersey and the other against Winnipeg. Minute by minute, I’m starting to relax.

“Oh,” he adds. “One more thing. I’ll be out tonight for a few hours, leaving at seven, but I’ll be back by eleven.”

“Where to?”

“It’s my final event with Taylor.”

Like an injured animal, I snarl, and Sel raises an eyebrow.

“Fake,” he reminds me. “And it’s the last time.”

“Where?”