Chapter 29

CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE

D on’t Hurt My Best Friend

Finn

“Ruby, please tell me where she is,” I plead.

“She asked me not to, Finn. Please just respect her space right now,” Ruby replies.

“I can’t do that, Ruby. Can you at least tell me what happened with the Dean?” I ask.

Ruby’s eyes flash when I mention the Dean and that gives me some information that I need. Ruby is protecting Charlie and I would expect nothing less from her, knowing how close they are, but she needs to understand I have Charlie’s best interest at heart too. “Please, Ruby, just tell me what happened?” I am begging now.

“What’s the point, Finn? What are you going to do? Charlie wants you to go play the game in Wisconsin this weekend. She needs a break. Respect her decision,” Ruby says.

“So she isn’t joining the team in Wisconsin? Is it because she was fired from her position?” I shoot off questions, knowing I am not getting anything out of Ruby.

Frustrated, I stand from the couch. “I’m going to call Jacob.”

Hayden stands. “What would be the point, bro?”

I swivel around. “Do you know what’s going on here?” I point a finger at him, feeling fired up.

“Ruby won’t tell me anything. I’m just saying Charlie made a decision and maybe you should respect it,” Hayden suggests.

“You don’t understand Charlie,” I snap. “She is selfless. She’ll put everyone before herself.”

“You aren’t wrong,” Ruby mumbles.

Hayden eyes her. “Tell him what went down. He deserves to know,” he says to his sister.

“I promised Charlie.” She stands her ground.

Dammit. I tug on the strands of my hair then I walk away.

I hear Hayden whispering to Ruby but I know she is on lock and key right now, so I doubt he’ll get through to her.

I head to my room and call Jacob. He picks up after one ring. “To what do I owe the honor of this call?”

“The Dean got in touch with Charlie today. She’s MIA. All I know is that she isn’t joining the team in Wisconsin this weekend and she hasn’t come home.” My voice is panicked.

“Whoa, calm down, Bro,” Jacob says. “Charlie quit the team.”

“What do you mean quit? She just created the app. It’s freaking amazing,” I retort.

Jacob sighs. “The Dean didn’t get into details with me. I just know that Charlie quit.”

“Are you hiding something, Jacob, because I swear if you are. . .”

“Bro, don’t finish that sentence,” he warns. “I’m guessing this has something to do with the investigation.”

“An investigation that is the result of her jealous ex-boyfriend,” I state.

“Riverside U is a post-secondary institution with a lot of rules. Unfortunately, justice doesn’t always prevail but the rules have to be followed,” he explains.

I huff. “So the Dean assumes we’re together?”

“I’ve never seen you this invested in a girl, Bro, not even Chelsea,” he says.

“Don’t, Jacob,” I warn.

“You clearly have real feelings for her. She’s a great girl, Finn, take it as a compliment that she saved your ass and move on,” he says. His words are bitter and cold, and I expect nothing less. After the way we grew up, my siblings don’t believe love exists. Except for my sister, and that’s because her husband shattered every doubt she had.

“This isn’t right, Jacob, whatever happened with the Dean, I can’t let Charlie give up on her dreams while I get to keep mine,” I say to him.

I hear him blow out an exasperated breath. “Finn, you’ve worked so hard to get to where you are and you’re so close to the NHL. Don’t walk away now. Alice has been in touch with the Dean. She is trying to convince her to give Charlie her job back.”

“So you knew what’s going on?” I accuse.

“As a coach I know what is going on, but I’m not at liberty to discuss it with you,” he replies.

Fuck. This is so frustrating.

“Look, Finn, you’re a good guy. I know this situation must be hard,” he begins.

“Bro, we’ve been completely platonic,” I say to him.

“But that wasn’t always the case,” he returns.

I can’t lie to him.

“No, but I didn’t know she would be working for the team,” I counter.

“And you should’ve said something when you realized she was going to be working with the team. The university has strict rules for a reason, and that is to protect students from inappropriate situations.”

My laugh comes out strained. “We are the same age. She isn’t holding anything over me. This is crazy. We are not coach and student or prof and student. We are two students of this university,” I am screaming now.

“Relax, would you?” Jacob asks.

“No, I can’t relax and I won’t make it to the game this weekend. I’m sorry.”

“Don’t do this, Finn,” Jacob pleads, but I’ve already made up my mind.

“It’s done, Jacob. I need to find Charlie. She is supposed to be coming to the farm for Thanksgiving with her dad.”

“Excuse me?” Jacob snaps. “Have you lost your fucking mind?”

“Willow invited her. I’m just letting you know.”

“What do you have with this girl?” Jacob asks, and it sounds like he thinks I’m nuts.

“I care about her and coming to the farm for a weekend will be a nice getaway for her dad. It’s about being a nice person, Jacob, and thinking of others,” I say sarcastically, even though he doesn’t deserve my wrath.

“That’s really fucking great, Finn. I’ve been helping you get to this point all your life so you should really be lecturing me about helping others,” he says dryly, and I know I’ve hurt his feelings.

I squeeze my eyes shut. “I’m sorry. I’m thankful to you. I really am, but at some point, you need to understand that I’m my own person with my own wants.”

“And you want the girl more than hockey,” he mutters.

“Maybe I do. Or maybe I never really wanted hockey. I’m grateful that it could give me the education I wanted, but maybe this is the end of the line for me, Jacob,” I imply to him.

“Do you understand what kind of money you’re walking away from?” he asks.

“Money isn’t everything. I know I need it, but at this point I can apply to a graduate program and get grants,” I state.

“This has nothing to do with Charlie, does it?” He sounds completely resigned now.

“It has everything to do with her. She made me realize I should be making my own choices and chasing my own dreams. She’s supportive and understanding. . .”

“I get it. . .fine,” Jacob concedes. “Good luck with whatever you choose, but don’t drop the team just yet. Maybe we can find a way to help Charlie.”

“Okay,” I agree. I said what I had to say and now I feel like a weight has been lifted off me.

When I exit my room Macklin is standing there with his face, looking sullen. “Don’t ditch us now, Cap,” he says.

I squeeze my eyes shut because I do feel an obligation to my team, they need me.

“I’m not ditching anyone, I just need to find a way to appease everyone,” I reply.

Macklin nods and I walk past him.

I walk over to the room that Ruby shares with Charlie and knock on the door.

Ruby opens the door and watches me warily. “I need to see her, Ruby. I care about her. I need to see her. She’s important to me.”

Ruby stands quietly, then she says, “I promised her, Finn.”

“I won’t hurt her, Ruby. I want the best for her because that’s what she deserves.”

Ruby blows out a breath. “She’s staying with Annie. I’ll text you Annie’s number and address.”

“Thanks, Ruby.” I lean in and peck her cheek. “You’re the best.”

“Don’t hurt my best friend,” she hollers as I walk toward the door.

“Never.”