Chapter 31 Finn
FINN
FLIGHT RISK
Slapshot/Blistering Slapshot: A powerful, full-windup shot that sends the puck rocketing toward the net. This might also be used to describe the look on her face when I’ve disappointed her, because it feels like a snapshot hitting my balls.
I know something’s wrong the second I see her name light up my phone.
My wife is texting me. She doesn’t usually text during training camp hours, not unless it’s something important. And right now, my gut’s already tight from the headlines circling like vultures.
I wipe the sweat off my face, sliding my thumb across the screen.
Her message hits me like a punch to the ribs.
We’re done. Don’t bother calling. I saw everything.
I stare at the words, waiting for them to make sense—but they don’t. They can’t. I call her immediately, but it goes straight to voicemail.
Again. And again. Nothing.
The locker room fades out around me—teammates talking, trainers yelling, the noise all blurring into static.
She thinks I’m with Tessa.
I already know that’s what this is. There was only one place Kate hadn’t been with me that I even saw Tessa.
It had to be the night the team went to the restaurant—yeah, she knows we go there.
I figured Kate wouldn’t like it, but I saw the TikTok’s.
I thought we’d talk it out later, once we weren’t both in the middle of everything.
I never touched Tessa. Hell, I never even wanted to. I’m into my wife, I’d never do anything to screw up a future with Kate.
I was there with the team—half the damn offensive line sitting at the table, but of course, the media cropped every shot to make it look like it was just me and Tessa, cozy in some dark corner.
They didn’t show the six other guys eating wings two feet away from me. And now Kate thinks I lied. She thinks I chose my ex over her. My throat’s tight, but I shove everything into motion. I don’t care if camp’s still going. I don’t care about the season, the fines, the media.
I have one priority. I need to get to her and make her understand. I booked the jet and, as soon as they release us, I’ll be airborne.
By the time I land, my phone is still silent. Not a single word from her.
But I don’t need her to answer because I already know exactly where she is—her hotel downtown, the one the entire tour booked out for the week.
I walk in through the back, dodging cameras and whispers, head down, hood up, my heart thudding out of my chest with every step closer to her.
Security hesitates, but they recognize me fast enough. Everyone does.
Room 1503. I’m worked up when I reach her door. I barely knock. When the door finally swings open, Kate’s standing there—barefoot, eyes puffy, hair in a messy knot like she hasn’t slept in days.
She freezes when she sees me.
I don’t wait. I can’t see her. Seeing her makes my heart hurt. She’s obviously taking this to heart.
I step inside, shutting the door behind me, my chest burning.
“You don’t get to end this over a headline,” I say, my voice low but sharp. “Not without hearing the damn truth.”
She folds her arms, defensive, but there’s a flicker of hurt in her eyes.
“I saw you with her, Finn.”
“I wasn’t with her,” I bite out. “I was at a team dinner. Tessa showed up—sat two seats away. I didn’t invite her. I didn’t talk to her. And I sure as hell wasn’t there with her.”
She shakes her head, but her hands are trembling.
“The pictures—”
“They cropped the fucking photos, Kate,” I snap, pulling out my phone and shoving it toward her. “Here. Look at the real ones.”
She hesitates, but she takes the phone. And when she scrolls, her face pales—photo after photo showing the whole table, the rest of my teammates in clear view. And Tessa’s nowhere near me in half of them.
Her lips part, her breath catching.
“You believed them,” I say, softer now, the words hitting me harder than I expected. “You believed her over me. The media manipulated you, Kate.”
Her eyes fill, but she looks away, like she’s too ashamed to meet my gaze.
“I didn’t know what to think,” she whispers. “Everything’s been a mess. The media, the pressure, the headlines… and then I saw that, and I—I panicked.”
I let the silence stretch between us for a minute so we could take a beat.
I step closer, my voice rough.
“I didn’t touch her. I’ve never wanted anyone but you.”
She finally looks at me, eyes glossy.
“I’m not here to clean up my image, Kate,” I add, my voice breaking just a little. “I’m here because you’re the only woman I want in my life.”
She inhales and for a minute, I think she might pass out… And the next second, she’s in my arms, where she belongs—and I’ll be dammed if she’s going to dump me again.
But I spent the entire night convincing her just how much I’m into her.