Page 79 of Rookie Attraction

I lower my voice. “Text me?”

Sel nods and returns to staring out the window. I casually stand up, move down the aisle, and grab the seat next to Makela. The physical distance between me and Sel isn’t far, but it might as well be. The loud chatter on the plane resumes as the rest of the players settle in. My thoughts spiral, and I don’t want to talk to anyone, so to distract myself, I select a movie—I doubt I’ll remember any of it—and try to figure out what Sel’s going to tell me.

We can’t do this again.

It was a mistake.

What if he doesn’t want to talk about it at all?

Sel promised he’d contact me later.

The only thing I’ve got is faith in his word.

Sel

I wanted things to be different this morning.

But there was no knocking on Finn’s door, or greeting him with a slow, sexy kiss. Instead, I headed for Berg’s room as instructed and got my second wakeup call of the day. A real one…

“Is there something I should know about?” Berg asked me point blank.

“No, why?”

“I’ve heard talk from someone about your relationship with Finn.”

“What about it?”

“They mentioned Pike Place and inferred there’s more going on than a partnership in hockey.”

Somehow, I managed to put on my game day face.

“I was sightseeing with a colleague, nothing more,” I insisted. “And you know we have history, friends in common. Is it really that surprising that we’ve become friends too?”

I was amazed at how calm and rational I sounded. Good thing Berg’s not a mind reader. Captain stared at me for a long second and then nodded. He bought it.

“Alright. That’s what I thought, but you know how shit gets stirred. I’ll shut it down.”

“Who’s talking about us? It’s Brady and St. Clare, isn’t it?”

Berg doesn’t give me a direct answer. “I said I’ll quash the rumor.”

“Good,” I replied sharply. “Because if they start harassing Finn, I’ll be the one stirring the shit, and loudly.”

Berg raised his eyebrows.

“What?” I snapped.

Captain didn’t say anything else, except, “Maybe it’s best if you keep your distance from Finn until we hit the ice in Toronto.”

“This is ridiculous. Now I need to censor who I can and can’t hang out with?”

“I’m not saying that⁠—”

“Yeah, it sounds like you are. If I were straight, this wouldn’t be an issue, would it?”

Berg looked embarrassed.

“I’m sorry. I’m just trying to protect both of you.”