Page 39 of Away Game

“I always wanted to have a sibling. Someone I could commiserate with on how shitty my parents are. It must be nice.”

“For the most part, I kind of feel guilty, not being there for him and my mom. He’s more alone than ever since my mom is working all the hours she can.”

Why was I telling him my life story?

“Shut up. I swear when I think you can’t be any more of a goodie-two-shoes, you say something like that.”

Sitting up straighter, I lifted my chin and looked down at him. “Just when I think you’re not going to be an asshole to me any longer, you go and say something like that. If you want to study with me, you need to—”

“Not be an asshole. Yeah, I got it.” He stood and walked out of my room. I wasn’t sure if he was coming back or not. Especially not after that. I went back to reading my book and typing up my paper when Fin came back in.

Throwing his bag on my bed, Fin made a lot of noise with some paper and shifting around, causing my attention to be tuned to him. While Fin being in my room was a dream come true, I couldn’t let him fuck up my studies. I was about to kick him out when he was finally quiet.

Ten minutes later, Fin broke the silence. “Are you ready for the test on Monday?”

“Not in the slightest.” I laughed.

Mr. Randall’s class was notoriously difficult, and until I knew the type of tests he was giving us, I was going to be stressed over whether or not I knew everything I needed to. He loved to change it up. I swore it was in the hopes we’d fail.

Scooting back on my bed, Fin leaned back against the wall and then crossed his ankles as he read his sociology book. “Maybe Sunday we can quiz each other.”

Was he making plans for us to hang out a couple of days from now?

Turning in my chair, I gave him my full attention. “Are you feeling okay?”

Fin didn’t bother to look up when he answered. “As good as I can with a fucked up shoulder.”

“Am I in an episode of Punk’d?”

Even though Fin didn’t look up, I saw one lone brow rise. “I’m pretty sure that show hasn’t been on since like two thousand and seven.”

“I didn’t know you were a prodigy on all shows on MTV,” I quipped. It was strange having a normal conversation with him where he wasn’t threatening me or being a general asshole.

“Only the good ones.” He finally looked up at me. “What are you working on?”

“The paper for Mr. Randall’s class. I’m surprised you’re not working on it.”

Not that Fin had to worry about his grades to pay for his tuition at Willow Bay, so maybe he didn’t care as much as I did.

“I finished it last night.” A slow smirk grew on his handsome face, making my heart rate pick up. “I even did the extra credit.”

Fucker. He probably did a half-ass job, and that’s why he needed to do the extra credit.

Cocking his head to the side, he asked. “Do you need help with yours?”

“No,” I answered as I turned back to my laptop. “What I need is for you to stop bothering me.”

“I can leave if you want me to.” He slammed his book closed, making me look over my shoulder at him.

I knew Fin would never tell me if he wanted or needed to hang out with me, but I had a feeling tonight he did, especially with Oz being out of town and getting the news from his doctor that he was out for the rest of the season.

Maybe tomorrow before the game, I’d talk to Coach and make sure there wasn’t a possibility they’d kick Fin out of the starting football players’ house.

“You can stay.” I turned because I couldn’t look at him when I said, “but try and stay quiet. I need to finish this damn paper.”

Not even ten minutes had gone by when I heard him shift around on my bed and let out a huff. As if his presence wasn’t distracting enough. I tried to ignore him, but after a few more huffs and listening to his body slide on my comforter, I gave up doing my homework for the time being.

Standing, I stretched my arms over my head after being at my desk for so long. “Are you hungry?”

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