8. Chapter Eight
Chapter Eight
Finn
‘We going to the game together?” Declan asks.
“You know it,” I reply, slapping him on the back before heading into my apartment. The place is filled with plants. Ferns hang from the ceiling, succulents line the windowsills, and a monstera sprawls in the corner, its leaves almost touching the ceiling.
I drop my bag by the door and turn on the TV. I put on some classical music on my phone and connect it to the TV. I need something to calm my racing thoughts. Beethoven floods the room, filling the spaces between the leaves all around me.
I grab my watering can and make my rounds, giving each plant a drink. They’re like my green children, each one with a name and a personality.
Next, I step out onto the patio. The small outdoor garden is my pride and joy. Cherry tomatoes, basil, and a couple of strawberry plants—it’s my little urban oasis. I water everything thoroughly, the earthy smell of damp soil rising up to greet me.
Back inside, I head to the bathroom and peel off the ratty UCLA T-shirt I got from a girl I spent the night with. It was oversized on her but it fits me like a glove.
The worn cotton smells faintly of her perfume and I can’t help but smile. The night was wild, which is evident by the scrapes and bruises scattered across my body.
I trace the small tattoo on my waist with my finger, a tiny reminder of a spontaneous decision. It still makes me laugh.
I hop into the shower, letting the hot water wash away the remnants of last night. I take my time, enjoying the steam and the solitude. Afterward, I throw on a pair of boxers and set an alarm for two hours.
I need to catch up on sleep. I crash onto the bed, falling into a deep sleep almost instantly.
***
My phone rings, jerking me awake. I groan, squinting at the screen. It’s Declan.
“Where the fuck are you? I’m in the parking lot.”
“Shit!” I scramble out of bed, nearly tripping over my skates. I grab my phone, uniform, and skates, pulling on some clothes haphazardly. My apartment is a whirlwind as I get ready, my heart racing.
I dash out the door, nearly forgetting to lock it. Declan’s waiting by his car, arms crossed, looking impatient.
“Dude, you look like you just rolled out of bed,” he says.
“That’s because I did. Let’s go,” I mutter, throwing my stuff in the backseat and hopping in.
We get to the rink, and the familiar scent of ice and sweat hits me. The locker room is bustling, guys gearing up and chatting. I shove my bag into a locker and start changing.
Coach storms in, already looking pissed. He spots Axel chewing gum.
“Axel, spit out the damn gum!”
“Sorry, Coach,” Axel mumbles, spitting it into the trash.
Coach doesn’t mention anything about the conversation he had with me and Declan this morning. He’s probably keeping it under wraps for now. He clears his throat, getting everyone’s attention.
“Listen up! We’re working on speed today. I’m splitting you into two teams. One led by Declan, the other by Finn. Let’s go!”
We head out to the rink. It’s a closed rink, so the stands are empty. The only sounds are our skates slicing the ice and the puck clattering against sticks.
Declan and I pick our teams quickly. I get Axel, Jamie, and a few of the newer guys. Declan takes Troy, Marcus, and some others.
“All right, boys, let’s show them what we got,” I say, clapping Axel on the back.
We line up, and the puck drops. The game starts fast. I’m dodging between players, the ice a blur under my skates. Axel’s on fire, weaving through defenders like they’re standing still.
“Axel, pass!” I shout.
He sends the puck my way and I catch it with my stick, barreling down the ice. Troy’s coming at me hard, but I fake left and cut right, slipping past him. I shoot and the puck sails past the goalie into the net.
“Yeah! That’s how you do it!” I yell, fist-pumping.
Declan skates over, shaking his head. “Lucky shot, Finn. Won’t happen again.”
“Bring it on, old man,” I tease, grinning.
The game goes on, fast and furious. Jamie’s a beast on defense, blocking every shot that comes his way. Marcus is giving him hell, but Jamie’s not letting anything through.
“Come on, Jamie! Show them who’s the boss!” I shout.
Coach watches from the sidelines, eyes narrowed, arms crossed. He’s not saying much, just observing.
Declan steals the puck from one of our guys and charges down the ice. I race after him, closing the gap. He winds up for a shot, but I dive, knocking the puck away with my stick.
“Not today, buddy,” I pant, skating back to our side.
“Nice try,” Declan calls, smirking.
The game’s intense. Sweat’s pouring down my face and my legs are burning, but I push harder. We’re down by one, and I’m not letting Declan’s team win.
“Axel, to your left!” I shout.
He sends the puck over, I catch it, then pass it to Jamie, who’s waiting by the goal. Jamie slaps it in, tying the game.
“Hell yeah!” Jamie whoops.
“Good job, Jamie!” I yell, skating over to high-five him.
Coach blows the whistle, calling us in. “All right, that’s enough for today. Good hustle out there. Keep that energy up for the next game.”
We skate off the ice, exhausted but pumped. In the locker room, everyone’s chatting and laughing, the tension from the morning forgotten.
Declan walks over, clapping me on the shoulder. “Good game, man. You guys gave us a run for our money.”
“Thanks. Your guys weren’t half bad either,” I reply, grinning.
As we change out of our gear, the conversation shifts to plans for the evening.
“Anyone up for a drink later?” Axel asks.
“Hell yeah,” Jamie says. “Count me in.”
I glance at Declan. “You in?”
“Maybe. Got to check on Lily first,” he says.
I nod, understanding. “Of course. Family first. Say hey to her for me.”
***
Our favorite club, Inferno, is packed tonight. It offers dim lighting, thumping music and the faint smell of spilled beer and cologne. I’m leaning against the bar, flirting with the bartender, a cute redhead named Jess.
“You’re always here on Tuesdays, Jess. What’s your excuse?” I ask, giving her my best smirk.
“Pays the bills, Finn. What’s yours?” she shoots back, grinning.
“Keeping you company,” I reply smoothly.
Jamie slides up next to Declan, who’s nursing a beer. “How come you agreed to come out with us? You always go home after practice.”
Declan glances at me before answering. “Just needed a little break.”
I catch a glimpse of a brunette across the room. My heart skips a beat. There’s no fucking way it’s her. She can’t be back here after all this time. I excuse myself and head outside, my breath clouding in the cold air.
Nope, she’s not out here. The air bites at my skin and I warm my hands, feeling a little lightheaded from the drinks. Declan steps out, looking concerned.
“I’ve been looking for you,” he says.
“I just needed some fresh air for a minute.” I see the worry in his eyes. No one but Declan and Coach know about the panic that can hit me out of nowhere.
“I’m okay, I promise. Just thought I saw someone,” I reassure him.
Declan relaxes a bit, chuckling. “It’s just like you to be chasing after a girl.”
I laugh. “What do you want, or did you just follow me out to troll me?”
“Coach has something for all of us to do tomorrow after practice,” he says.
“What is it?”
“The team’s partnering with some dog foundation. We’re doing shoots with the puppies.”
I burst out laughing. “Aren’t you afraid of dogs?”
“Not afraid, allergic,” Declan corrects.
“So?”
“So nothing. We have to do this. You heard Coach. Changes are coming and we need to keep the investors happy.”
I nod. “Should we go back inside and finish our drinks?”
“I’d rather go to bed,” Declan admits.
I think about going back in. I had a shot at getting Jess to leave with me, but after thinking I saw the girl who has been in my mind for years, I’m definitely feeling off my game. “Fine, I’ll order us an Uber home.”
The club is loud and alive with people, but I’m just not feeling it anymore. Jess is busy with other customers when I head back inside. I pull out my phone and order an Uber.
Declan stands next to me, his expression softening. “You okay, really?”
“Yeah, man. Just…memories, you know?”
He nods, understanding without needing to say more. That’s the thing about Declan—he gets it. Gets me.
The Uber arrives, and we hop in, the car warm compared to the biting cold outside. Declan leans back, closing his eyes. I know he’s worried about the team, the investors, everything. But tonight, I just want to forget about it all for a while.
“Thanks for coming out,” I say, breaking the silence.
“Thanks for dragging me out,” he replies, a hint of a smile on his lips.
As we ride back to our homes, the city lights blurring past, I think about tomorrow. The practice, the photoshoot, everything we need to do to get back on track. It’s a lot, but we’ll handle it. We always do.
When we reach Declan’s place, he turns to me. “Get some rest, Finn. We’ve got a big day tomorrow.”
“You too, man. See you in the morning.”
I watch him go inside before directing the driver to my place. My head’s still spinning a bit from the drinks and the almost-panic attack. But I know I’ll get through this. I always do.
Back in my apartment, I collapse onto the couch, staring at the ceiling. The quiet is a stark contrast to the noise of Inferno. I close my eyes, trying to push away the memories of her , of everything.
Tomorrow’s a new day.