Off Ice.

Chapter Twenty-Five.

Finn

I really don't want to leave LA.

I had to go back to the hotel after the game with the team and I'm able to stay at Avery's for the night, but I'm leaving tomorrow at noon. Then the hard part comes once again.

As if this wasn't going to be difficult enough. As if leaving her for weeks at a time doesn't cause enough pain, now Hughes is in the mix again. I can't stop thinking about him just sitting outside of the apartment and waiting for her.

It's not like my schedule is really a secret, either. It's not like he doesn't know when I'm not going to be here or where I'm going to be. Anyone with an internet connection has access to that information.

I don't know if I've just become more of a wus the last few years or if I just thought I was invincible when I was 18, but the fact that he has full access to where I am also kinda freaks me out. I think it may have to do with the small fact that he looks just fucking like me now.

I left that part out when telling my mom and Morgan that he's back. I didn't want them to freak out. Maybe I'll tell them when I see them but I feel like there is no reason to worry them about it right now.

I'm so fucking excited to go see them. I'm so excited to go back home with Avery. I've obviously visited a bunch over the last four years but it's not been the same by a long shot. I couldn't drive around without being bombarded by memories and emotions that were wrapped around her. She's all I've thought about for the last two years and being in the place that I solely equate to her was fucking torturous.

But now I get to be there with her.

I'm laying on her bed now in only a pair of sweats, my chest bare as I wait for her. She was just helping Cam with something for classes next week but she said she'd be right back.

I'm still on the post game high, even though my body is exhausted. It always feels really good when we win like that - when we're up by 3 or so. Takes the pressure off the third a bit and lets you have a bit more fun.

I talked to my agent today and he sent me over the contracts I've received earlier this morning. I haven't had a chance to look at them just yet but I'll check them out in a bit with Avery. I already declined the Rangers and the Wild, which made my agent laugh and say, "You mean Finn Wilder doesn't want to play on the Minnesota Wild?"

I just don't want to live in Minnesota.

I know that the puns would be fantastic if I was a Wild, but living up there just doesn't seem worth it for me. Besides, I know Avery likes the cold but that's a whole new ball game.

You know what, now that I'm thinking about it, I should just look now.

I stand up from her bed and sit at her desk, opening up her laptop and typing in her password. I'm going straight to my email when she walks back inside her room. "Whatcha doing, love?"

"Sean sent me the contracts I've been offered," I look over at her, smiling at literally just the sight of her. She's in a pair of shorts, an oversized sweatshirt, and has her slippers on, her hair falling over her shoulders and her glasses on the bridge of her nose. I push the seat I'm sitting on out a little bit more and pat my leg, signaling for her to come and sit. "Come here. Let's look."

Her smiles turns shy as she shuffles her way over and stands in between me and the desk before she sits on my lap. I push in the chair a bit more as I put my arm around her and rest my hand on her thigh as the other moves across the track pad on the computer. She relaxes back into my chest, her temple resting against my neck as she watches.