Epilogue
SEL
THAT NIGHT, WINTER brEAK PARTY
Finn and I step into Makela’s classic brownstone, and the boom of the music and laughter is so loud it sounds like we’re at a concert rather than someone’s house.
I wonder if the neighbors on this swanky street in Chelsea will complain and call the police.
Makela seems unfazed, but I’m concerned.
Then he introduces us to said neighbors and it’s clear they love to party as much as he does.
I thought this gathering was going to be only for the team, family, and close friends, but there are more than two hundred people crammed in here.
It’s unreal, and a perfect cap to the night.
One I’ll never forget. For so many reasons.
I turn to Finn and remove my coat.
“What do you think of this fit?”
After the game, we went home to change, but I slipped into the spare room and put on a long winter coat to hide what I was wearing. Finn thought I was acting weird. Maybe I was.
Until now.
My boyfriend gives me a long once-over and whistles.
“Tight black button down, striped trousers, leather jacket,” he replies with a beaming smile. “It’s our first public date.”
“It is.”
“So how about we celebrate later.” Finn steps closer. “Just the two of us—”
“Oh, yes.”
“—and a game of Scrabble?”
I laugh and pinch his sweet ass.
“I’m still contesting the last game, Finn. Runzee isn’t a word.”
“Sure it is,” Finn chuckles. “Runza is singular, Runzee is plural.”
“Brat.”
Finn pulls me aside and we make our way down the hallway to the games room. There’s no one in here. I’m hypnotized by my boyfriend’s grin, those gorgeous dimples popping. He’s up to something…
“We haven’t had a private moment alone for days,” he gripes.
“I know.” I kiss him soundly. “Between Mom staying with me, Will staying with you, and Damien and Silas visiting—”
“But it all worked out. I’ve got a surprise for you.”
Finn turns around and lowers his pants. Holy shit.
“I’m game if you are, sexy.”
Not that I’d want anyone else to walk in and see Finn like this, but still, hot is hot.
“That’s not why I’m showing you my ass,” he chuckles. “Well, not now.”
He pushes his briefs down and the upper swell of his right ass cheek isn’t entirely covered in freckles anymore; there’s a tiny tattoo of a blue wolf covered in plastic wrap.
“You didn’t.”
Finn pulls his jeans up and faces me.
“I did. I nearly passed out, but I did. Good thing Silas went with me. I’ll tell you the whole story later.”
“I’ve got a surprise for you too,” I confess and start to sweat. “Reach into my left pocket.”
“I wouldn’t call this a surprise,” Finn murmurs as he teasingly touches me. “More like, the gift that keeps on giving. And giving, and giving—”
“Finn.”
“I know, anyone could catch us, but it’s hot.”
“Don’t you think we’ve shocked our teammates enough for one day?” I chuckle.
Say that to my half-hard dick.
“Maybe.” Finn’s laughter fades as he reaches deeper into my pocket. “Wait, are those what I think they are?”
“If you think it’s a set of rings, then yes, it is.”
“Sel.”
“This psychic bond we have is spot on. Again. You told the entire world at that presser that we were going to get married, right?” My voice breaks. “So, will you? Be my husband?”
“Yes! Now. Please. I love you, fuck, I love you so much.”
“I love you too, Finn. More than anything.”
I reach for my fiancé and kiss him senseless. Then we’re hugging so tight I worry that we’ll both crush our ribs.
“Hold on,” Finn murmurs.
Oh no. I stiffen, easing back.
“What it is, sweetheart?”
“We never, you know.” Finn lowers his voice. “Talked about kids. A family. I want that.”
Relief races through my veins.
“I want that too.”
“But not right now,” he adds. “Later. Much, much later.”
I nod.
“Definitely.” I pause. “When you say kids, how many are you talking about?”
“I was thinking six,” Finn replies with a grin. “Hey, I come from a big family. It’s great.”
I’m pretty sure my eyes pop out of my head.
“Can we compromise?” I return. “How about three?”
“Five.”
“Three.”
“That’s not a compromise, Sel.”
“Four.”
“Yes!”
He beams at me, and I know I’m fucked. Will I ever refuse this man anything? No.
“So—” I squeeze his waist. “Now that that’s settled, do you want to see the rings?”
“Oh shit, right.”
Finn pulls his hand out of my pocket, opening his palm to reveal the brushed-gold bands I picked out in December. Maybe it was wishful thinking back then, but I knew. Somehow, I knew…
“I thought you’d want something classic. If you don’t like it—”
“I love it. It’s exactly what I’d pick.”
I take one of the thick bands and place it on his ring finger, and he does the same for me. Both of us swipe away tears and share more kisses.
“One more hour,” Finn insists. “Then we’re heading home. Alone.”
“But our family—”
“Okay, they can head home; you and I will head to the nearest hotel.”
“Game on.”
After sealing the deal with a long, claiming kiss, we rejoin the rest of the party and run into Berg who immediately clocks the rings and shouts his congratulations. It doesn’t take long for everyone else to notice too. Finn and I hold up our hands to the crowd.
“Kippis!” Makela offers. “Cheers to the happy couple!”
There’s a round of cheers before the music cranks up, and Makela pops another bottle of champagne. He pours us each a glass and then makes the rounds.
“Congrats, guys,” Kuznetsov offers as he walks up to us. “You going somewhere this week to celebrate?”
I shake my head.
“Staying in the city so we can get Finn moved into my place.”
“Our place,” Finn corrects, and I can’t help but smile.
“What about you, Kuz? Fun plans lined up?” I ask.
“Not this year,” Kuznetsov admits with a grimace. “I’ll also be hanging around town. If you guys need help moving, hit me up.”
Finn and I look at each other and back at Kuz.
“Thanks,” Finn replies. “We might do that.”
“I also wanted to ask, how’s your mom doing after that infection?”
“Still having treatments, still fighting hard,” Finn admits. “We’re staying positive.”
“Send her my best.”
“I will.” Finn pauses. “Oh, hey, remember back in December, before I got injured, you offered to come with me to look at cars? I thought next week would be perfect for a test drive. If you’re around, why don’t you join us? I need help picking out a kick-ass truck.”
“How are you going to drive that thing in New York?” I add.
Finn shakes his head. “It’s not for driving around the city like your Audi. The truck is for road trips, you know, country driving. Kuz knows what I mean. He’s a farm boy like me.”
“Proudly so, and I’m happy to help.”
With that, Kuznetsov offers us each a hug and takes off into the crowd, head and shoulders above everyone else.
I down the rest of my champagne and Finn kisses the wine off my lips, sparking another question I need to ask.
“Elope or big wedding?”
Finn’s cheeks darken. “Small wedding on the farm?”
“In the summer.”
“Of course. And traditional vows.”
“You’ll obey?” I tease.
“I meant, no speaking our own.”
“Why not?”
“Are you serious? I’ll talk forever.”
“Finn.” I lean my forehead against his. “I wouldn’t have it any other way.”
Mats
I’m happy for Finn and Sel, but talk of engagements and weddings makes me queasy. Falling in love? No thanks. Did that once and never again…
Just as I’m reaching for a glass of champagne, my house manager, Janka, enters the room and motions for me.
“You have another guest, Mr. Makela, but he won’t give his name.”
The fuck?
“Thanks, Janka, I’ll take care of it.”
I take a sip of my drink, set it aside, and run a quick hand through my hair.
The party’s even bigger than I expected, so it takes time for me to maneuver through the packed living room and down the narrow hallway to the front door.
Where my latest “guest” is waiting. Seems like everyone I know is already here, so I don’t know who it could be.
It becomes painfully clear when I wrench open the door and spot the figure standing on the steps.
They raise their head and offer me a knowing smirk.
Fuck. Of course, it’s him.
“What are you doing at my house?” I snap.
I know exactly why he’s here, and I don’t care about the reason, I want him gone.
Karson rolls his eyes at me. Motherfucker.
“I was invited.”
“Not by me.”
“No shit. Is Sel here?”
I nod. “With his fiancé.”
“Pretty awesome news, eh?”
“You already know?”
“I helped Sel pick out the rings when we were in Cali at Christmas.”
Ah, okay.
“Big day all around, right?” Karson adds, staring at me.
I can’t believe this jerk is trying to make small talk. With me.
“You missed the game.”
“Couldn’t be helped. I touched down an hour ago, so better late, I guess.” He shrugs. “Are you going to let me in the house?”
“If I have to,” I concede. “But I expect you to get out once you’ve talked to your brother.”
“For once, I agree. I don’t want to hang around you any longer than necessary,” he snarks. “But FYI, it might be in your best interest to temper your attitude, Mats.”
“What does that mean?”
Karson’s smile is pure mischief as he steps into the foyer.
“You’ll find out soon enough.”
“Tell me now,” I demand. “No games.”
“That’s ironic coming from you,” he snaps.
“You’re the one who likes to—”
“You finally made it!” Sel interrupts.
Reluctantly, and with instant regret, I stand aside to let Karson into my house.
“I need to get back to my guests,” I announce and leave them alone to talk.
As I walk away, I catch Finn’s comment.
“What was that about?” Finn asks.
“I’m not sure,” Sel replies. “But whatever it is, it’s not over.”
Let them wonder.
I will never say.
Back in my living room, I grab another drink, vodka neat, and will myself to let go of the tension that’s riding me. The Kirkland family returns to the party, all smiles, but I ignore them. Okay, one of them. I focus on getting back to my other guests and my good vibes.
A couple of drinks later, though, I’m still fucked up. Everywhere I turn, Karson’s in my line of sight. Suddenly, he raises a glass in my direction, his expression mocking.
“Mulkku,” I mutter.
“Dick” is an understatement.
Thank you for reading Rookie Attraction!