Talk to Me by Clare James Read Free Book Online Page B

news story that falls apart.

    Casey

    “I’m going to leave now,” I told Finn, beyond insulted that he thought I was some kind of hockey groupie. Then again, my reasoning for the unexpected visit was far from noble. I planned to trick him to get my story for crying out loud.
    Even more mortifying was that I didn’t do anything to stop him when he touched me. I may have even leaned into it. Shit, shit, shit.
    I had been with men before. Okay, two men. Compared to Finn, boys might be a more accurate term. My experience didn’t even come close to what just happened in the kitchen.
    I’ll give you what you want.
    His words played back in my head, causing my flesh to break out in goose bumps.
    Finn opened his mouth like he was going to say something, but then closed it again and nodded. My curiosity about those unsaid words would torment me for days.
    What I did learn from the visit was that Finn Daley was your average, entitled, womanizing athlete. He probably quit the game to leave more time for partying and pussy. I had no doubt he was extremely talented in the latter.
    Sadly, that story had been done to death. Sex lives of the rich and famous. There was nothing new or surprising here. He wasn’t married and didn’t have kids, so it would barely make a blip in the noise of the daily media. No, this was not the material great news stories were made of.
    Still, after I left, I wasn’t sure what bothered me more, bailing on the story or bailing on Finn.

    ***

    The days passed and I tried to get him out of my head. Of course, I couldn’t distract my body. It ached for him. His touch; his demands. The way he brought it to life, willing to do anything he asked.
    After a particularly rough night, with virtually no sleep, I cursed wasting so much time on Finn Daley. I had to forget him and get moving on a new story.
    At the station, my boss let me know about my shortcomings every chance he got.
    “So how’s the reel coming along?” he asked last week. “Strange, I see you working and researching at all hours, but I have yet to see a story.”
    “I’ll have something soon,” I told him.
    “Doesn’t matter, really,” he said. “Not like I was expecting much.”
    How I hated The Mole. Partly because he was right. I should’ve had something by now. Any reporter worth their salt would’ve had a catalog of stories.
    “Hey, sunshine,” my brother greeted me when I made it down to the kitchen. He handed me a huge mug of coffee. I let it warm my hands and the aroma waken my senses.
    “Morning,” I said, once I found my voice.
    “What’s on the agenda today?” he asked.
    “I think I’m going to go for a run. I need to clear the brain and come up with a new story. I’m running out of time.”
    “What about Finn and the biggest sports mystery of the century? The story that was going to get you the Emmy?”
    “It was a bust.” I said, feeling the heat in my cheeks.
    Goddamn Finn Daley .
    “What happened?”
    I took a big gulp from my cup and waited for the caffeine to reach the bloodstream.
    “Long story, but I wasn’t getting anywhere,” I finally said. “It was dead end after dead end.”
    “Since when has that ever stopped you?” Zack asked.
    “You should be happy. You didn’t even want me to go after this story.”
    “Look, I’m not sure it’s a good idea. But I don’t want to see you give up either.”
    He had a point, one I wasn’t ready to consider yet. Because despite my unexpected discovery about Finn’s sexual interests, I knew there was more to him and that his story was worth pursuing. But was I smart enough to figure it out? And even if I did, could I expose the secrets he was so intent on keeping? My stomach turned at the thought.
    Deep down, I didn’t want that to stop me. Phil didn’t know his head from his ass. But if I didn’t move fast, I’d be stuck working as a Sports Girl and wearing tight T-shirts until my boobs began to sag. And that was too fucking depressing.
    The