Chapter Ten #2
Sitting in the back of a sleek limousine, I reach for my tie and adjust it for the tenth time.
I’d rather rip the damn thing off, but I’ll have to be patient and wait until later.
After making small talk with the person sitting next to me, I peruse my phone to distract myself.
I’m trying to keep my nerves in check, but they finally let loose when the driver pulls up to a famous historical building and stops.
Here we go.
It’s “date” night, and I have a story I need to sell.
Taylor Grimaldi turns to me and smiles, camera-ready and confident.
With his curly black hair styled to perfection, wearing a bold red suit and sporting diamond earrings, he’s stunning.
I appreciate his style, and his ability to put me at ease with conversation, but I’m not into him.
And I can tell he feels the same. He’s polite and friendly enough, but tonight is business, for both of us.
“You have our story ready?” he asks me.
“I’ve got the basics memorized, but I’m pretty good at improvising too.”
Taylor nods.
“Then tonight should be a win-win for both of us. Or so our PR reps tell us.”
I step out first, hit with the blinding flash of cameras, and hold out my hand for his.
We stand and pose for the photographers and then head up the red carpet where another group of journalists are waiting.
I tell all the right lies—how we met, how wonderful he is—and gaze at him adoringly, but I’m moving on autopilot.
Following a script. Last year, I’d have welcomed the attention, but now?
No thanks. My mind is far away from here.
I don’t see Taylor’s smile. Instead, I think about Finn’s, and those dimples, and the way his laughter fills the locker room, hell, any room.
And that reporter talking about our “bromance”…
the very thought of the word makes something powerful twist in my chest.
It hits me with the flash of the next camera.
I’d rather be here with Finn.
That’s crazy. I’m acting ridiculous. Whatever this feeling is, it needs to fuck right off, because it’s pointless, he’s off limits. Finn’s my teammate. My straight friend. And that’s all.
Taylor whispers something in my ear, and I nod automatically, not hearing a word. The photographers catch the moment anyway—him smiling at me, his arm around my waist. I hope my acting skills are up to par because my head is fucked.
Later, as we sit at our table for dinner and make the usual gala chit chat with other guests, I barely register what’s going on around me.
The after-party is the same. I force myself to make conversation as I’m introduced to high profile donors, celebrities, and the charity president.
I’m more than happy to support this event, but I’m also counting down the minutes until I can get out of here.
I’m tempted to text Finn, but I don’t.
When the after-party ends, I’m still zoned out.
Our driver drops Taylor at his place first and I presume I tell him I had a nice time, and I think he hugs me before saying goodnight, but I wouldn’t bet on any of it.
When I’m alone, I scroll through team socials on my phone, stopping on a photo from last night’s game.
Finn’s assist, my goal. His disbelief, our celebration.
I’ll never forget that game and Finn’s emotional reaction to his win.
I’m pretty overwhelmed myself. A month ago, I thought my career was over.
But now? Things are shifting for the better and I don’t want to do anything to ruin it.
I tap on Finn’s contact and my thumb hovers over the call button.
Don’t be stupid, leave him alone.
I shove the phone into my pocket and close my eyes for the rest of the ride.
I know I’m doing the right thing.
Even if it doesn’t feel like it.
Finn the next morning
With my coffee in one hand, and my phone in the other, I’m busy scrolling through the news when a headline catches my eye.
Hockey great Selwin Kirkland attends charity event with his date, football player Taylor Grimaldi. Could this be NYC’s next power couple?
I glance at the photo below the caption.
Sel looks fucking amazing in a sharp suit, and while his grin is aimed at the camera, Taylor is looking at Sel adoringly.
If I didn’t know any better, I’d assume they were dating for real.
They look like they fit with each other, and maybe the entertainment press is right.
My stomach aches, so I put aside my coffee and reach for a glass of water instead.
I stare at the image on my screen for too long, trying to tell myself it doesn’t matter. It shouldn’t matter at all.
But for some reason, it does, and my heart thuds so hard it’s knocking against my ribs. I’m concerned about how this attention will affect Sel. That’s all.
Another wave of emotion presses harder, heavier, and it doesn’t let up.
Yes, I’m a protective friend, but I’m not usually so possessive, and yet…
fuck me, I’ve never had a reaction like this to a friend before, not even my bestie, Silas.
Then again, maybe all this is a delayed reaction to leaving my old life behind and starting a new one.
I’m overwhelmed, like I was after our win. That has to be it.
I rub a soothing hand over my chest, exhaling slowly, but the tightness won’t go away.
“What’s going on with me?” I say out loud.
The question lingers in the air, unanswered, as sunlight spills across the counter and lands on the photo of Sel. Flipping the phone over, I decide that whatever’s happening, I’m not ready to examine it.