Page 38 of Away Game

Lifting his head, Fin’s black eyes stared lifelessly back at me. “Oz’s sister called during his first class and needed him, so he’s in LA for the night.”

I wanted to ask him why he didn’t go with Oz, but I guess Fin had his doctor’s appointment and couldn’t miss it.

While I hated that I wasn’t Fin’s first choice, not that it was a surprise, it did make me happy he came to me. It was sad how desperate I was for his attention.

“What did the doctor say?”

“If I rest it for the next month and then rehab my shoulder, I shouldn’t have any long-lasting effects from the injury. He couldn’t promise I’d be starting next season, though.”

Of course, the doctor couldn’t guarantee it, but I didn’t tell Fin that. “Your determination isn’t lacking, so I don’t see what the problem is. Once you can start training, you will. Hell, you might come back better than ever.”

Fin had been working out harder than anyone on the team before his injury. He stayed late for extra workouts and doing his own drills, and it showed in his playing. Well, it had. I had no doubt if he was physically able to, he’d come back even more of a badass.

“I wish I had your faith in me. After Coach finds out, my world is going to turn upside down. It’s not fair; I’ve done everything right.”

I wasn’t sure what he was talking about in regard to doing everything right, but I’d come back to that later.

I felt my brows pull together. “What does Coach have to do with anything?”

His eyes narrowed as he gritted out. “Who lives in this house?”

“Football players,” I answered back with a clear duh in my tone.

“What kind of players?”

For a second, I had no idea what he was talking about, but then it clicked. “Starters,” I said quietly, afraid of how he’d react when I answered his question.

“Exactly, and I’m no longer a starter or a player for that matter.”

“You’re not going to be kicked off the team.”

His black orbs drilled into me as he spoke each word with conviction. “Maybe not, but one thing I know for sure is I’m not the starting quarterback for the rest of the season, and that means I won’t be living here.”

“Coach won’t kick you out,” I said adamantly.

“Sure, he will. What’s the point of having a house for your starting team and then let anyone live in it?”

He kind of had a point, but I didn’t want to give his words merit. Surely Coach wouldn’t leave Fin homeless.

“See, you’re speechless, which means it can’t be good.”

I guess I’d been quiet for too long. “Don’t assume anything until you talk to Coach. Are you going to the game tomorrow?”

Fin shrugged his good shoulder and was quiet for a few moments. “Do you mind if I study with you?

“Um…” Was I dreaming? Because this wasn’t Fin. He didn’t come to talk to me, and he definitely didn’t ask to hang out with me.

“Yeah, it’s cool. I’ll just go back to my room,” Fin muttered as he looked around my room like he hadn’t been in here before.

“No,” I called out after I picked my jaw up off the floor. “You can stay or go get your stuff and come back. I’m just shocked you want to hang out.”

“I like your room. It’s…” His eyes landed on me. “Homey.”

I felt the corners of my mouth tip down. “Our rooms are the same.”

“You’ve added personality. You’ve got pictures of your family.” He picked up one with Easton and me. My arm was around his shoulders, and we had big smiles on our faces. It was taken by our mom when Willow Bay offered me a full scholarship to play football. One corner of Fin’s mouth quirked up. “I’m guessing this is you and Easton.”

“Yeah, that’s my little brother. He’s a freshman in high school this year.”

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