Finn (Breakaway Hockey #4)

Chapter Ten

Finn

“ S o, I have a question for you, man,” I say to my linemate and friend, Easton Sonden, as we skate around the rink. “Do you think it’s possible to be just friends with a woman?”

An hour ago, we finished our first official practice following the All-Star break. My other teammates were quick to head off to the locker room, shower, and get the hell out of the arena.

Hey, I understand. These early practices after some time off can be rough.

I feel good, though, as does Easton, so we opted to stay out on the ice to get in some extra work. We’ve already practiced a few speed drills and played around with some new passes, but now we’re cooling down and skating around the perimeter of the ice.

Nodding, Easton replies, “Yeah, sure, I think so.”

Quietly, I amend, “Uh, what if you’re really fucking attracted to the girl?”

He chuckles, looks over at me, and shakes his head. “That would definitely make it more difficult. Still, it’s possible.”

We’re quiet, all but for the sound of our skates on the ice.

And then Easton, peering over at me with his steely blue gaze, asks, “What are you leaving out here, Finn? Are we talking about a real woman, or is this a hypothetical question?”

“No.” I blow out a breath. “She’s all too real.”

“And you’re attracted to her?”

“Very much so.”

We reach the players’ bench and slow to a stop.

Leaning over to grab a water bottle, Easton points it at me and says, “Why do I have the feeling you’re leaving something out of this can-we-be-friends scenario?”

Shit, time to come clean.

Slipping off my helmet and running my fingers through my sweaty hair, I admit, “I am leaving something out. I slept with her already. But now she just wants to be friends.”

“Fuck, dude, was it that bad for her?” he says, chuckling.

I know he’s teasing, but I still shoot him the finger. “Fuck off, man.”

He tosses the water bottle back onto the bench and holds up his hands like I might deck him. “Just kidding, just kidding.”

“I know,” I say quietly as I slip my helmet back on but leave the strap undone and dangling.

In a much more serious tone, Easton asks, “What’s her deal? It sounds like you’d like to pursue something more.”

I scoff, “Yeah, I would.”

“Ahh, but she’s relegated you to the friend zone, huh?”

“She sure the fuck has.”

“Did she say why?” he asks.

I nod. “She did. In fact, we had this whole discussion before we ever ended up in bed. Not that that was planned, by the way.” I shake my head, wishing now that it never had happened, seeing as it sort of fucked things up. “Anyway, we talked about how we just didn’t have time for relationships. Just in general, though, you know? Not regarding us. But that’s what she’s falling back on now. That discussion. Well, that and something about not being in a good headspace. I don’t know. Whatever.”

“Damn.” My friend winces. “Even though you changed your mind, it sounds like she’s pretty set on the no-relationship thing.”

“Yeah,” I breathe out. “She is. She claims it’s her, not me. But I think there’s a deeper reason. I just wish she’d level with me.”

Easton shrugs. “Hey, what can you do? You have to respect her decision. The way I see it is you have two choices—try being her friend…or just cut her loose.”

“I know.” I rest my hip on the boards. “Problem is, I don’t want to cut her loose. I want to keep seeing her.”

“Then it looks like friends it is,” he declares.

I sigh resignedly and agree, “I think you’re right.”