Chapter Twenty-Nine
SELWIN
THAT AFTERNOON
Thanks to high winds in Minnesota, I arrive in Omaha an hour later than I’d planned.
And the drive from the airport is slow too, given the afternoon rush.
I’m almost two hours late. By the time I check in to my hotel, I’m so damn antsy that minutes later, I drop off my bags in my room and walk straight to the hospital.
But before I head up to my room, I pop into the giftshop.
Now I’m two hours and fifteen minutes late and sweating even though I’m still frozen solid from being outside.
When I follow the directions and arrive at the fifth floor, my gaze lands on a familiar figure in the hallway.
He’s dressed in a blue gown, mask, and gloves, pacing back and forth.
I know that walk, the red hair, the cowlick.
I pause, soaking up the sight of Finn, even though I can’t see much of him with that gear on.
He suddenly turns and looks up, our eyes locking, and I force myself not to run.
Finn stills, and I walk closer, noticing the violet shadows under his pretty eyes.
“You’re here.”
I can’t help but smile. Several people pass us in the hallway. It’s killing me that I have to maintain this distance from him.
“I said I would be. Sorry I’m late, there were a few delays on the way. How’s your mom?”
“Her white blood cell count came down, so it looks like the antibiotics are working. She’s not sleeping as much today either. In fact, she’s been awake for an hour, and I told her you were coming. My dad is here, and my brother Will.”
“I can’t wait to meet all of them. I wish it were under better circumstances, but—”
“Sel.”
He steps toward me, but I shake my head as several medical staff walk by. We haven’t seen each other in weeks, and damn I missed this man, but this is not the time for us to forget we’re in public.
“Soon.”
Finn stops short and nods.
“You need to um, wash your hands and gear up.”
“Of course. This is for your mom,” I reply and offer him the poinsettia plant. “I don’t even know if she can have it in there, but seeing as it’s almost Christmas, I thought—”
“It’s beautiful, she’ll love it.”
Five minutes later, I’m dressed like Finn, and we both step inside the room.
As soon as the door closes behind me, Finn places the plant on the floor and turns to me.
“I forgot something.”
“What?”
Suddenly he pulls me into his arms for a hug, and it’s not a bro back slap.
I close my eyes and hug him tighter, still mindful of his left shoulder.
My brain tells me I should step back, but once we touch, we’re like magnets, and as each second ticks by, I don’t know how I’m going to let go.
I can feel the tremors running through his body, and I know he can feel mine.
Then I look over his shoulder and notice his dad, mom, and brother staring at us.
“Let go,” Finn and I both whisper at the same time.
“You first,” Finn teases.
I reluctantly lower my arms and step back, trying to act casual but not liking the loss of contact at all.
“This is Sel Kirkland,” Finn announces as he picks up the plant and guides me into the room. “Sel, meet my parents, Mallory and Peter, and my brother Will.”
Will’s the closest, so I shake his hand first, and then Peter’s, and Mallory’s. Finn steps up beside me and shows her the poinsettia.
“Sel brought this for you, Mom.”
“It’s gorgeous,” she whispers. “Thank you, Sel. May I call you Sel?”
“Absolutely. How are you feeling, Mrs. Baran?”
Her eyes crinkle at the corners, and even though I can’t see her smile due to her mask, I have a gut instinct that it matches Finn’s. My boyfriend clearly gets his eyes and his size from his dad, but everything else is his mother, from the red hair to the freckles, and I’m guessing, the dimples.
“Still tired and in pain but better than when I got here,” she replies. “And it’s Mallory, please.”
“I hope you don’t mind me stopping by.”
“Not at all. It’s not every day I get to meet an NHL superstar.”
“What about Finn?” I ask.
“What about him?” she asks with a glint in her eyes.
“And her sense of humor’s back,” Finn chuckles.
“Finn was telling me about your recent travel,” Mallory adds. “After weeks on the road, and a layover here, I bet you can’t wait to get out of this frigid weather and back to sunny California.”
The only sunshine I need is the man standing next to me.
I nod politely.
“Even hockey players need out of the cold sometimes. But it’s more about seeing my mom and my brother Karson. My youngest sibling, Atticus, stayed in Europe. It’s tough to align our plans throughout the year given our busy schedules.”
“I know how that is,” she replies and blinks slowly. “Christmas is one of the few times we all come back together.”
“I think you need to rest, Mom,” Finn interrupts. “Try and sleep for a while.”
“That’s all I’ve been doing for days.”
I want to laugh out loud, because that’s exactly what Finn said when he stayed at my place.
“There’s still a risk that—”
She closes her eyes.
“I know, Finlay. You go on over to the couch and talk to your friend, and I’ll go back to sleep. Promise.”
Finn places the plant on the nearby windowsill and then motions for me to take a seat on the couch.
“Finlay?” I raise one eyebrow.
Will snickers. “He didn’t tell you?”
“It’s Finn,” my boyfriend insists. “Finlay is only on my birth certificate. And passport. And you’re one to talk, Celery.”
“That’s a family nickname, remember? It doesn’t count.”
“What about your middle name?”
I shake my head.
“Nope, no way.”
“You know you want to tell me, Sel. Sooner or later, I’ll charm it out of you.”
“I’ll give you one hint; it’s a Dutch name.”
He rolls his eyes.
“That narrows it down.”
I glance up to find his brother and dad staring at us.
“Sorry, we get into these ridiculous kinds of conversations all the time,” I offer.
“Why am I not surprised?” Will snarks, and Finn playfully smacks his shoulder in return.
Peter offers me a bottle of water.
“Thank you.”
My hands are so damp it takes me three tries to open the cap.
“The Rush had a tough road trip,” Peter declares and stares at me. “You must be anxious for a break.”
“Definitely.”
“But I have to ask, what the hell is that guy Brady doing out there?” Peter grumbles. “A random fan from the crowd could play better defense. He’s making Sorensen’s job difficult.”
“It’s not a great situation.”
“What Sel really means is, Brady’s a dickbag,” Finn adds. “He’s a lazy player and a homophobic asshole. We’re hoping he gets traded as soon as possible.”
“There have been complaints about him.” I shrug. “But who knows what management will decide. All I have to say is that we need Finn back as soon as possible. He’s in it to win it, every game.”
“That’s my boy,” Peter replies as he looks at Finn, and then Will. “All my children work hard and don’t give up.”
Will looks like he’s about to say something when Finn’s stomach rumbles loudly.
“When was the last time you ate?” I ask.
“Breakfast?”
“Finn.”
“How about you guys head out for a bite?” Peter suggests.
I glance at Finn, and he gives me a nod.
“Can we bring you something back?” I ask.
Peter waves me off, but I already know I’m getting him food.
I turn to Will. “I spotted a place when I was walking here, South Side Chop. It’s small, but busy. Any good?”
“Oh, yeah. It doesn’t look like much,” Will offers. “But they have the best steaks in the city.”
“Finn?”
“I’m in.”
Will looks at Peter. “We’ll be back in an hour.”
“Take your time. I’m going to take a nap like your mom.”
The three of us make our way out of the room and remove our medical gear.
It’s so good to finally see Finn’s face in person.
His smile, his freckles, those gorgeous dimples…
fuck, I want to grab him and kiss him senseless.
Instead, I step further away, walking beside Will, and we talk hockey and football as Finn follows us down the hallway and into the elevator.
Ten minutes later, we enter South Side and gratefully defrost. The place is cozy, with a fireplace near the bar and music playing low enough for us to have an actual conversation.
It’s bustling and the smells from the open kitchen make my mouth water.
A real meal, finally, and better than any plane food, business class or not.
Will asks the hostess for a booth at the back of the restaurant, and we’re escorted through the main dining room into a private nook.
I barely get my jacket and beanie removed when Finn squeezes my arm.
“Will knows,” he whispers and pulls his hand away. “About us. I’m a crap liar with him, especially in person, so I gave him the whole story. I had to tell someone. So I did. Well, I told Silas too. I’m not sorry. In fact, it’s a relief. Will’s fine, it’s good.”
I’m not shocked, but when I look over at Will for his reaction, he’s covering his mouth with his hand.
“What were we thinking anyway?” Finn mutters, and I turn my attention to him.
“What are the chances you’d have a stopover here, today?
When I say it out loud now, it’s so lame.
I don’t think my parents buy it either. So, you see, I had to tell Will.
And I didn’t want Will staring at you, and me staring at you, and you staring at the two of us, wondering why we’re staring and it all being so freaking awkward because we know, but you don’t know that he knows—”
I can’t hold on any longer. My laughter echoes over the din.
“No one can open a conversation like you, Finn.” I smile at him, taking in every detail of his pretty face. “Absolutely no one.”
I get nothing but my boyfriend’s middle finger for my comment.
“I meant it as a compliment,” I insist.
“Said no one ever,” Finn huffs and picks up his menu.
“Said me.”
“He’s right, Finlay. You have a unique way of making your opinions known,” Will teases.
“If you two are going to make fun of my nervous rambling, and my name, I might as well sit by myself at the bar.”
“No way.” I shake my head. “I’ve waited weeks to see you. You’re not going anywhere.”
I reach under the table and squeeze his thigh.
“Don’t do that here,” he hisses.