Page 53 of Rookie Attraction
I nod.
“In college. A lot of my teammates at Sutton got cougar tattoos. But I’m not a big fan of needles. I think I’m ready now, but I want to take my time about it. I’d probably get something on my leg or back, you know, where I don’t have to see the needle up close.” I laugh. “I’d rather visit a few tattooists first, to see what style calls to me. It’s gotta be something special. I don’t want to wake up with regret.”
Sel bites his lower lip and nods.
When our workout comes to an end, I’m ready for sunshine and a shitload of food. Sel suggests we head out for a bite, so when I get back to my room, I text our teammates in the group chat to join us. My phones buzzes like mad but it turns out everyone else is a no; they’ve either made other plans or decided to order in so they can rest. I shower and dress in black jeans and a white button down, and when I’m almost ready, I text Sel to let him know it’ll just the two of us.
Sel: R u sure you still want to go?
Finn: Fuck yes, it’s my first time in LA! I’m not going to waste it looking at my hotel walls LOL.
I’m not going to cancel because I have some silly bro crush happening. If it is a crush. Even so, it’ll pass.
Sel: K, meet you out front in ten.
Grabbing my wallet and key card, I head downstairs right away to catch some rays on the bench outside the hotel. For a few minutes, the traffic on the street sounds like white noise, and I’m half asleep, soaking up the sun like a sleepy cat. Until I get a sense that someone’s nearby and my eyes pop open. Turning my head, I spot Sel stalking toward me wearing a similar outfit, except his shirt is cut closer to his chest and arms. His hair, unlike mine, is stylishly messy, and while the sunglasses cover his eyes, there’s no hiding that smile. Sweat slides down my back, and I pull at my shirt. I’m not used to this heat.
The weather, that is.
“You’re already red,” he teases. “Better be careful.”
“I’ll risk it. Besides, the sunburn will cover up the freckles.”
“Not all of them.”
“I’d need a nude beach for that.”
Sel chuckles and I want to smack myself upside the head.
Why did I blurt that out? Am I experiencing sunstroke?
Sel, thank fuck, ignores my comment.
“We should get going, Finn. My stomach isn’t happy with me right now.”
“Yeah, mine too.”
I quickly stand up and we start walking west.
“I hope you don’t mind but I made a reservation at one of my favorite spots. It’s not trendy, but they’ve always got great food and a covered patio that can’t be beat. I try to visit whenever I’m here.”
“Sounds perfect.”
I keep forgetting that Sel’s traveled all over and this is nothing new for him. But me? I’m glancing around like a stunned tourist, oohing and aahing over every little thing that catches my attention. Sel doesn’t mind. In fact, if his expression is any indication, he’s enjoying my enthusiasm. And he’s right about the restaurant: it’s busy, but not overcrowded, and the patio is like an oasis in the city. We order a pitcher of iced green tea and snack on a plate of homemade focaccia while waiting for our dinner.
“Tell me more about growing up in Santa Barbara,” I ask him.
“We settled there when I was ten. Before that, there was a lot of moving around. My dad was in the military, so we never stayed in one place very long.”
“That must’ve been hard.”
“I wouldn’t say hard, but yeah, it’s difficult to form friendships when you’re uprooted a lot. That’s part of the reason why Karson, Atticus, and I are tight.”
“And your parents?”
“Mom raised us, so we’re close. My dad on the other hand—” Sel clenches his jaw. “The year I turned nine, something happened to him when he was sent on a job overseas. When he came back, he started drinking heavily, and he was always angry. According to my mom, he refused to tell her what was going on and he refused to go to the doctor. Eight months after he came home, he left us for good. Karson was six and Atticus was four. Mom moved us back to Santa Barbara because she had family there and that’s where we stayed.”
“Oh, Sel. I can’t even imagine.”
