Chapter 11
Chapter Eleven
Brody
Who the hell am I?
Did I just kiss Finn and then let him suck my dick?
I had sworn to myself that I wouldn’t make the first move. That I wouldn’t risk my secret, but now, here I am kissing hot guys and letting them blow me at work.
Maybe Jamie has finally rubbed off on me.
Fuck, she will never let me live this one down. Maybe I won’t tell her about our little escapade.
Who am I kidding? Of course, I am going to tell her!
Lying in bed, I managed to close my eyes and go to sleep with images of Finn’s perfect head bobbing up and down on my dick.
***
The next few days were intense.
The Stallions had two games in a row, followed by several grueling practices. I was busy working on new injuries, keeping up with old ones so they didn’t get worse, and making sure everyone stayed healthy.
Finn and I managed to steal glances and send flirty texts, but we hadn’t been able to talk or really hang out.
Now that it was Friday, I found myself growing excited about our date.
Well, our not date, date.
We had made arrangements to meet at 7 p.m. for dinner at a small restaurant overlooking the Ohio River.
I met Finn there, waiting right outside the restaurant.
The sky was painted with a beautiful array of pinks, purples, and golds.
A light breeze was in the air, and there were a lot of people out walking on this beautiful evening.
When Finn arrived, it took everything in me not to kiss him right there in public.
It would have been against everything I’ve stood for so far, but when Finn was around, I felt reckless.
I felt bravery I had never felt before. He made me feel as though I was healing a part of me that was ashamed of who I truly was.
“Hey,” I said, as Finn approached me.
He looked dashing in a pair of tan khaki pants, a blue Polo, and his hair slicked back. I had gone for black dress pants and a white, long-sleeved shirt that I had rolled up to the elbows.
A few people stopped and stared as Finn smiled my way. They whispered and giggled.
“This is a great spot,” he admired, glancing around the restaurant. We walked inside, where more people gawked at him. I mean, I can’t really blame them. Finn is hot as hell and is a major sports celebrity.
The hostess quickly seated us outside on the patio with a great view of a riverboat. We both picked up menus and began eyeing the food.
“So, what do you recommend?” Finn asked me.
“They have a great catfish dinner,” I told him.
Our waiter arrived and took our drink and dinner orders. We took a few moments to take in the scenery before we started our conversation.
“How’re the team dynamics?” I asked Finn.
Finn sighed as our waiter placed our wine glasses on the table. “There are still some issues, but for the most part, we are starting to work out our issues. Dylan is still being an asshole,” he chuckled.
I wish I could tell the team to get rid of Dylan, but from what I’ve seen, he’s about to get himself kicked off, anyway.
I was going to say something, but a man and a boy who looked to be around twelve came over to the table. “Excuse me, but we are big fans,” the man says.
Finn smiles and shakes the man’s hand. “That’s great.”
“Could we get a picture with you? My friends won’t believe this,” the boy says.
Finn agrees, laughing as he stands and poses. I offered to take the photo and laughed as they smiled and talked. Finn is great with his fans. He takes the time to listen to them and chat about hockey. Most celebrities would only entertain a fan for a moment, but Finn gives them all his attention.
It made me admire him even more. It also made my heart race.
After a few more minutes, the man and his son left, and Finn sat back down. “I’m really sorry about that.”
I waved away his apology. “Don’t be sorry. You were great with them.”
“I really love my fans, especially the ones who don’t treat me any differently,” he noted.
Sometimes, I forget that Finn had a tough time on his last team. It’s hard to imagine people hating someone as kind as he is.
“I can understand that. It’s great to feel admired and accepted,” I agreed.
Finally, the waiter brought our dinners, and we ate and continued to chat about our days.
I asked him about his new apartment decor, and he laughed about how some of the players are big babies when I have to inspect their wounds.
You wouldn’t believe how many six-foot-six hockey players are terrified of needles.
When we finished our meal, the sun had already set, and stars twinkled above in the night sky.
We left the restaurant, but we both paused as we stood right outside the building. Finn shoved his hands into his pockets. “I really don’t want to go home yet. Want to show me the river walk?”
I chuckled. “Sure, we can take a walk.”
I should be more careful, but I don’t care. I don’t want my time with him to end. I can feel my walls crumbling every time we are together. Finn makes me feel more alive than I ever have. I don’t know him that well yet, but there is something about him that draws me to him.
We moved past the parking lot and down toward the river. Music plays as a live band is set up near another restaurant. A few shops line the walkway, and twinkle lights hang above us. It’s magical and romantic. Part of me wants Finn to reach out and take my hand in his, but I know he won’t.
Not in public.
Not because he doesn’t want to, but because I have made it known I don’t want people to know that side of myself yet.
Maybe I’m wrong in thinking that way.
Maybe it’s time for me to accept who I am and not care what the world around me thinks. An amazing, sweet scent lingers in the air as we pass a small shop.
“Wow, that smells wonderful,” Finn says, licking his lips at the sight of melted chocolate in a display case.
“This shop has the best bourbon balls,” I noted. “You have to try one.”
We move over to the shop, and I order each of us a bourbon ball. Finn tells me he’s never had one before, and by the rich chocolate aroma and woodsy scent, I know he is going to love it. We watch the sky, blue-black and crowded with clouds. The city buzzes around us, but I don’t hear any of it.
I paid, even though Finn tried to fight me, and then handed him a warm chocolate ball the size of a golf ball. I took a bite and moaned as the rich flavors danced in my mouth.
“This is the second-best thing I’ve ever had in my mouth,” Finn said around a full mouth of the dessert.
I took a bite of mine and turned to me. “Second best?”
Finn moved in closer so that only I could hear what he was about to say. I felt his body tense as my arm brushed against his. “Your dick was the best,” he whispered, his hot breath cascading over my neck.
I gasped, and I swear I saw the bulge in his pants grow. This was better than foreplay; flirting with Finn in a public place was hot in a way I never could have imagined.
“Hey, is that Finn the new wing for the Stallions?” someone yells out, breaking the glorious moment we were having.
“Tell me about your friends,” Finn encouraged, taking a step away from me. I’m still turned on and hot, but thankful for the distraction.
“Well, I only have time for one friend, and she is a lot,” I laughed. “Jamie is my best friend. We’ve been friends since childhood. She’s so amazing and funny and a total hot mess.”
Finn laughs at that. “Does she know?” he asks, not needing to fully state the question.
I haven’t had to say that I am gay. Finn knows it, but only two people in the world know it .
“Yes. She basically told me that I was gay even before I knew it.” I smile.
“Does she know about me? About us?” Finn asks.
A few people walked past us, obviously recognizing Finn and snapping a few photos. At first, I get scared, but then I ignore that gnawing feeling. These people only care about Finn. They don’t think we are on a date. Do they?
After the people pass, I finally feel comfortable enough to respond to him. “Yes.”
Finn nods. “And, what does she think we should do?”
I hesitate for a moment and then release a heavy breath. “She thinks I’m dumb for hiding who I am. She wants me to pursue something with you. And, she thinks you are hot.”
Finn smiles, and his hand brushes against mine. Our footsteps slowed, and we stopped and looked out over the water. “I already like Jamie. Maybe you need to listen to her.”
“Maybe you are right,” I acknowledged.
For a long time, neither of us spoke. We continue walking, side by side, and it feels so good to be with Finn. Maybe they’re all right, and I should just take the leap and let myself be happy.