Finn (Breakaway Hockey #4)

Chapter Five

Sammie

I ’ m just at the point of “fuck it.” That’s why I asked for another shot. Tonight, for once on this awful anniversary, I’m going to try to let the memories go.

That’s what I mean by toasting to “letting go.”

But I may mean even more than that.

We’ll see.

Without Finn even knowing, he has helped me keep my mind on other things. But the sorrow I feel on this night runs deep. Sad thoughts have still ventured into my head here and there.

I hope he hasn’t noticed.

I really just need to forget it all for a little while. Even though the memories will flood back tomorrow, I’m going to do everything in my power to think about other things.

I’m letting go.

I’m letting go.

I’m letting go.

The shot is clearly hitting me.

Now let me work on this beer. I had a decent buzz before, but it was slowly wearing off.

Now I’m feeling the alcohol again.

I don’t drink too often, or too much, so it doesn’t take a lot.

Finn’s brow is creased as he takes a sip of his beer. As he lowers the bottle, keeping it in his grasp, he looks like he’s contemplating something.

I bet he feels how the vibe of the night has changed.

Well, my new, hot-as-hell friend, it’s about to get a whole lot more interesting. Buckle up!

Clearing my throat and pointing my bottle at him, I ask, “Do you want to play a game?”

“Um, I don’t know.” He looks really confused now. “What kind of game are we talking about here?”

I shrug. “I don’t know. I was thinking something simple and easy. Like a good, old-fashioned round or two of Truth or Dare.”

“Wow.” He takes a drink from his bottle. “I haven’t played that one in a long time.”

“Yeah, me neither. But I was thinking we can just make up our own rules. Like, we don’t have to have a winner or a loser. We’ll just play until we’re bored.” I shrug. “I don’t know. It could be a fun way to get to know each other a little better.”

“That’s true.” Finn sets his bottle down on the coffee table and claps his hands once. “Let’s do it.”

“Great.” I smile at him. “Do you want to be the first victim? Like, I’ll ask you something to start?”

He leans back and crosses his arms. “Uh-oh. Okay, sure. But go easy on me.”

I laugh. “Okay.” Twisting to face him, I ask in a serious tone, “What’ll it be? Truth or dare, Finn?”

Chuckling, he says, “I’m going to play it safe and go with a truth.”

“Aww.” I pshaw. “You’re no fun.”

“Heyyy,” he protests.

“Just kidding.” I give him another smile to let him know I’m truly only teasing. “Okay…” I consider a few options and go with, “Here’s one—is there anyone on the Thunder team you dislike?”

He thinks it over and replies, “You know what? I know this is going to sound like a media answer, but no, not really. Sure, there are some guys I mesh with better, but overall, there’s no one I blatantly can’t stand. We really do have a good bunch.”

“Wow, that’s good.” I blow out a breath, readying for what he may ask or request me to do. “I guess it’s my turn, then.”

Rubbing his hands together deviously, he says, “Yes, it is. So, Sammie, will it be a truth or a dare for you?”

Winking at him, since I’m feeling pretty good right about now, I say, “Dare.”

His brows shoot up. “Ooh, brave girl.”

“Uh-oh. What do I have to do?”

His eyes dart to my bottle on the coffee table as he says, “How about I dare you to chug the rest of your beer?”

“Ha!” I laugh. “Not a problem.” With no hesitation, I chug down what’s left and set the bottle back on the table with a light thud. “Done.” I raise a brow at his surprised gaze. “Your turn. Truth or dare, Finn?”

“Well, you did one, so I’m going to have to match you. Hit me with a dare.”

I have a few interesting ones in mind, but I’m not quite ready to go there just yet. I need to lose a little bit more of my inhibitions.

So, for now, I simply say, “I dare you to get us two more beers.”

“Seriously?” When I nod, he stands and, chuckling, tells me, “I’d do that without a dare, you know?”

“I know. I just couldn’t think of anything else,” I fib.

He picks up our bottles and empty shot glasses and walks over to the bar.

Damn, his ass is fine in those faded jeans.

Hockey players have the best butts, I swear.

An image of me grabbing onto that ass, sans jeans as he’s thrusting into me, consumes my thoughts.

Definitely feeling the drinks now.

I let out a sigh, and when Finn returns with the beers, he eyes me curiously. “What are you thinking about, Sammie?” he asks as he sets our bottles on the coffee table.

Like I’m going to share that!

Shit, I hope he doesn’t ask for what I was thinking to be my next truth.

Quickly, I say, “Nothing,” and then preemptively add, “I’ll go with a dare next too.”

“Okay.” He sits back down and then, meeting my gaze, says softly, “I dare you to give me a hug.”

Uh-oh, I think he’s feeling the alcohol too.

He’s quick to amend, “Just a friendly one, of course.”

“Of course,” I echo, biting my lip.

Damn, this is a dare I really, really want to do. And I feel just buzzed enough to do it and do it well.

So here goes nothing…or maybe everything.

Scooting down the sofa till I’m right next to Finn, I keep my eyes on his wide chest. I’m afraid if I look up, he’ll see just how much I freaking want to do this dare, probably even more so than him.

Yeah, I’m starting to feel my barriers coming down.

But I’m conflicted.

I’m scared and unsure.

I want to “let go” in so many more ways than what I originally intended, but I don’t know how.

Just do your damn dare, Sammie. You’re overthinking this.

Well, no more of that.

Leaning in and wrapping my arms around Finn, I lean my head on his shoulder and, to keep it “friendly,” I pat him on his back like you would with a relative.

I am such a geek.

But my awkwardness doesn’t deter him from trailing his strong, warm hands up along my back, urging me closer to him.

I relax and quit patting, and he murmurs softly, “This is nice.”

It is nice.

Very nice.

Too nice.

“Uh-huh,” I mutter as I pull away reluctantly and quickly scoot back down to where I was. “Umm…”

Damn, I can’t look at Finn again, not yet. Like we didn’t just have a moment here.

To get back to the game, I say in rapid succession, “It’s your turn. So, what’ll it be? Truth or dare?”

He blows out a breath as I stare at the two bottles of beer still on the coffee table, ones that we haven’t touched yet.

Truth is, I don’t want any more alcohol. I’m buzzed enough. Not just from the earlier drinks or the more recent shot and beer, but from how absolutely amazing it felt to be in Finn’s arms.

I don’t have time to think about it, though, seeing as the next thing I know, Finn is sliding down the sofa toward me.

Wait, what?

In the blink of an eye, he’s next to me.

And just like before, I won’t look at him.

I can’t.

I just stare at his chest.

Softly, oh-so-softly, he says, “Sammie,” as he turns me to him and lifts my chin. I have no choice but to meet his gaze now. And I like it. With his green eyes questioning, he asks quietly, “What are we doing here?”

I swallow hard and squeak out, “Playing a game of Truth or Dare?”

“Yeah, well, we don’t need a game for that. Not anymore. In fact, I have a truth for you right now.”

“What’s that?” I whisper, because really, I have no more breath left in me for more than that.

Having Finn so close to me again, feeling his warmth, his strength, and just the manliness of him, is almost too much. It’s been so long since I’ve been this close to any guy, especially one I’m this attracted to.

In a husky voice, he says, “My truth is that I’ve never wanted to kiss anyone as much as I do right the fuck now.”

Oh, hell, there goes any last bit of resistance or conflict I had left.

My head is done making the rules tonight.

I’m going to give in to what my body so very much wants—Finn.

Damn, I am finally and truly “letting go.”

And it has never felt so good.