She looked at me with a pained expression. “I have.”
“Excuse me,” I said louder. When Fin and Grant turned my way, I widened my eyes. “Please continue your conversation elsewhere.” When neither replied, I asked, “Fin, why are you at Maker’s Mark today? Did you need to see the trainers?”
Is he injured?
Do I care beyond the business aspect?
His name wasn’t on the IR.
“I came to speak to you.”
“Came all the way here to speak to me?”
“I did.”
Shit. It would be rude to turn him away. I spoke to Grant. “We’re done. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
“How’s Preston, Vee?” my cousin asked.
“He’s great. I’ll pass on your concern for him.”
As Grant walked through Jen’s open doorway, I waved Fin into my office. Once inside, I closed the door.
Turning, I met Fin’s blue gaze. There was more facial hair on his cheeks than there was yesterday. His hair was damp and a clean scent permeated the air. “Please make this fast. I’m in crunch mode and would like to stay focused.”
“I came to Maker’s today to work out. As you know, you have a great fitness center.”
“And now you’re here…in my office, why?” I asked.
“I’ve been thinking about the test you have tomorrow. I came by to see how you’re doing with your studying.”
I crossed my arms over my breasts. “If you’re here to tell me I can’t possibly succeed, you’re too late. Grant already beat you to it.”
Fin took a step closer, searching my face. “He’s wrong. I didn’t come to say that. I know how fucking intelligent you are. I thought since I’ve had the playbook a week longer, if you had questions…. You can always call Beasley or there’s your cousin.”
“I’d venture to say that they both expect my failure.”
Fin pressed his lips together and shook his head. “Not me.” He pivoted to the door and back. “I’ll go. You didn’t call. I wanted you to know I’m still available for a study session.”
CHAPTER 13
Vee
“Do you want to see what I’ve done?” I wasn’t sure why I blurted out the question. Probably because I was upset by Grant’s lack of confidence in me, not that it was out of character. Maybe I wanted to hear Fin tell me he had faith in my ability. Whatever the reason, the question was out, and instead of leaving, Fin stared at me with a grin. “Come over here.” I led him to the conference table.
“You’re playing a game of checkers with half the pieces and no board?”
“It’s the offense.” I picked up the one with QB tapedto the top. “That’s you.” I shrugged. “Or Troy. I’m using positions not names.”
Fin picked up my notebook. The one with the translations for each word. “Where did you get this?”
“I made it last night. The playbook has schematics. I was able to figure out what each word, number, or letter meant.” I shrugged. “Most of them. I have a few blanks.”
“Vee, this is amazing. I know veteran players who don’t pick up on the cadence this quick.”
While I hated admitting it, even to myself, I appreciated Fin’s approval. “I’ll need to refer to my notes, but I think I have a handle on practice tomorrow. I’ve told myself to approach the play calls like a foreign language.”
The praise in his gaze warmed me from the inside.
