Page 42 of Away Game

“You’re fucking pathetic. All of you.” Fin spun in a circle, looking at all of them. “The only way you can take me on is when I’m injured, and it’s three against one.”

“Do you want us to kick your ass more?” one of the guys I’d thrown to the side taunted.

Ripping his arm out of his sling, Fin stepped forward, his entire body tense. “Bring it on, assholes.”

“Fin? West?” a voice called from down the street. “What’s going on?”

“We’re fine, Fitzgerald,” Fin called back without looking away from the three standing in front of us.

Turning to look at Ford over my shoulder, I noticed a crowd of Alpha Mus had gathered. They were cowards, standing in the shadows.

Ford, of course, didn’t listen. He took fast strides toward where we stood in a standoff in the street.

“This doesn’t look like a family reunion. If these guys are giving you trouble, I’ll happily help pound their faces into the ground,” Ford called as he moved closer.

“I knew there was a reason I liked you,” Fin grinned, looking evil with blood dripping down his face.

Ford rounded us, and his eyes went wide as he took in Fin. “Fuck, dude, did these douchebags do this to you?”

“It’s nothing. Let’s get the hell out of here. They’re not worth it.” Fin sighed and started walking toward our house.

“What the hell happened?” Ford asked as he looked over his shoulder, back at the Alpha Mu house.

Not looking back to see if they’d gone back inside or were watching, I kept my eyes on Fin, who held his shoulder as he turned to walk through our yard.

“We were walking home from The Bar.” I noticed Ford turned to give me a strange look, but I continued. “When they started calling me out for being gay. At first, we couldn’t see them, and then all of a sudden, they were at the edge of their property egging us on. It all went downhill from there.”

“I guess so. Do you think he’s okay?” Ford nodded to where Fin had walked inside.

“No idea, but I doubt he’ll admit if he isn’t.” I held the front door open for Ford to move past me. “Thanks for coming to help us out.”

“Anytime. No one fucks with Willow Bay’s football team and gets away with it.”

I left him at the stairs and went to the kitchen to make an ice pack for Fin. I was sure he’d need it.

“What are you doing?” Ford called from the kitchen doorway. He must have followed me.

I slammed a pan down on a towel full of ice to crush it. “Making an ice pack.”

“I don’t know why we’ve got some cheap ass fridge without crushed ice.” Ford scowled at the offending refrigerator.

I wondered what he’d think if he saw the fridge I had at my house where you had to fill an ice tray.

“Where’s Oz tonight?”

“Something with his sister, but he’s supposed to be back for the game tomorrow,” I answered as I shook the ice into a baggie.

“Good luck with Fin. Call me if you need any help with him.” He laughed as if he knew I’d need his help.

Little did Ford know, I’d worked my way under Fin’s skin. Or at least I hoped so.

19

Fin

Walking out of the bathroom,I found West hovering by my bedroom door with a towel in his hand. He looked up as I drew closer, and I took in his casual stance that I knew was anything but casual.

“I thought you could use this.” He shook what he held in his hand.

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