Page 106 of Rookie Attraction

“Oh, okay.”

Cody moves on to my legs and feet and then has me turn over. He finishes up with my arms, shoulders, and neck, and I’m ready to fall asleep. But that doesn’t happen, because the music ends and so does my rest.

“Take your time getting dressed. And take a good soak later with Epsom salts. That should help ease your—” He pauses. “Bruising and stiffness.”

As soon as he leaves, I get up with the sheet wrapped around my waist and walk over to the mirror in the far corner of the room. Turning around, I lower the material to peek at my hips.

OMG.

The pattern of bruises resembles handprints. There’s no way Cody didn’t know. I drop the sheet further and notice my ass is the same. Thank fuck he didn’t see those. Then again, what difference does it make? Cody doesn’t know who left the prints. He’s a medical professional, so he won’t say anything.

Once I’ve changed, I wander out to find Cody at his desk, typing notes on his tablet.

“Feel better?” he asks.

If he suspects my tension, he doesn’t say a word.

“Amazing.”

Amazingly embarrassed.

“Do you want to book another slot?”

“How about after our next game?”

“You got it.”

With a nod, I head into the hallway. Sorensen walks by and offers a wave.

“Hey, Baran, you want a lift back to the building?”

“That’d be great.”

“Makela’s coming to hang out at my place, you know… video games, massive amounts of food. You in?”

I could use some time to wind down. Even if I want to be with Sel, I have no idea where he’s headed after practice. And my phone is silent, no text from him either.

“I’m in.”

Chapter Twenty

SELWIN

What the hell is wrong with you?

I push harder than I should during my workout, but I can’t help it. Grabbing a couple of towels, I clean off my treadmill with one and wipe down my face and neck with the other, then head to the locker room. I’m sweaty and gross but I want to take a shower at home, not here. Not after that exchange with Finn. I don’t trust my dick at all. Fuck, I’m already feeling possessive of his time, which shocks me, because I’ve never been like that with another person. Jesus, I sounded like a jealous ass. Who am I kidding? When Finn mentioned Cody’s offer, I was a jealous ass. And holy shit, what Finn said after? My dick is half hard and I hold the towel in front of me as I jog into the locker room. I grab my clothes, head to the changing room, and leave as fast as I can.

Unfortunately, on my way to the elevator, I move too quick and trip. It’s lucky I grab for the nearest wall to steady myself and narrowly avoid kissing the carpet. The whole ride down, I can’t stop my left foot tapping like I’m on a sugar rush. But it’s when I finally reach the garage that I know I’m fucked; I can’t remember where I parked my car. It takes me ten minutes to find it. Jesus, I’m so wound up thinking about Finn, I shouldn’t be driving at all.

As soon as I’m strapped in, I take a couple of deep breaths and hit the accelerator. My plan is to go home, text Finn, run errands, and hopefully meet up with him later. If he still wants to meet up. Unless my behaving like a dick on the ice pissed him off?

Somehow, I manage not to have a car accident on the way home. As soon as I step foot inside my place, I head for the shower—a cold one—slide on my sweats, and stagger to the couch. Oops, I almost forgot to eat, and when does that happen? Shaking off my unease, I pad into the kitchen and make a beeline for the fridge, grabbing containers of leftover Chinese takeaway and a frozen meal. Once I’m settled on the sofa again with protein and carbs, I shovel my food in while obsessively checking my phone every ten seconds.

I text Finn, but unfortunately, I don’t get a reply.

Not within ten minutes, not within an hour.

Not within two.