CHAPTER TWELVE
Finn
Apparently, what happens in Vegas doesn’t actually stay in Vegas.
The news breaks one day later, as we prepare to play Los Angeles. Noah and I are sitting beside each other, getting dressed. A few players have massages in one of the adjoining rooms, and others meet with their athletic trainers.
We’re relaxed, happy about our win against Vegas, and optimistic for our upcoming game this evening. I love the ice, I love the adrenaline rushes, I love playing against actual people...but this is my second favorite part of hockey: hanging out with the team.
All of a sudden, I notice Troy grinning at us. He shows his phone to Luke, who stares at us, wide-eyed.
I blink.
“Why is everyone acting weird?” Noah asks, his voice low, just for me.
“I’m not sure.” I scramble for my phone, my heart sinking.
I open X.
And there it is.
An article that we eloped in Vegas yesterday.
I slide my phone over to Noah, my fingers trembling, but he’s already craning his neck to read from my screen. Our heads touch, and we stare at each other wide-eyed.
This is not good.
No no no no no.
“Dudes,” Axel asks finally. “You guys got hitched?”
“Um...”
“And you didn’t invite us to your wedding.” Troy flings his dirty clothes at me.
I toss them back. “Shut up, Troy.”
“Aw... It was an intimate moment for them,” Luke says. “Why would they want you on their big day?”
Troy punches Luke’s arm.
Axel continues to stare at us. “So you really got married?”
The others in the room quiet, thinking about the implications.
“You’re in love?” Jason asks. “You’re bi?”
My heartbeat quickens. Everyone in the room stares. No one is laughing.
My mouth dries.
“They met a week ago,” Vinnie says, his voice booming through the room. “Finn has never mentioned an interest in men. They’re not in love.”
People blink, taking in that information. Their eyes harden, and I want to sink into the bench. Noah trembles beside me, and I want to pull him toward me and calm him.
Instead, I cower and hate myself.
Vinnie stalks toward us. “Are you making fun of us, Finn?”
