Page 5 of Scored

“I mean with your injury.” She looked at my left arm cradled against my torso. “Your shoulder is dislocated.”

I gave a lopsided grin. “Not sure yet. I’m headed back to the locker room to find out.”

CHAPTER 2

Vee

Amember of the stadium’s security team escorted me up to the suite currently occupied by my family. With each step forward, my mind filled with the horrifying events leading the Coopers to victory. By the time we reached the entrance, my tears were flowing again. Wiping my cheeks, I stepped inside.

“Fuck, Vee,” Grant said in way of a greeting.

“Fuck is right.”

Uncle Darin and Aunt Rachel joined us, both with expressions of glee. “First seed.”

Inhaling, I smiled. “First seed. Next up is divisional championship.”

My aunt’s voice was light. “Reid would be so happy.”

“We made it to the conference championship last year,” I reminded them.

“But we had to play in the wild card,” Grant said. “This year we’re No. 1.”

Not one question about Fin.

I stepped away from the group and made my way to the bar. We weren’t in Crystal Light. This bartender wouldn’t know my game-day drink. When she came closer, I forced a smile. “Cosmo please.”

“Right away, Ms. Hubbard.”

This suite was nice, but not as nice as our family suite at Crystal Light, fewer seats and less space. Beyond the glass, there were regular stadium seats, not recliners. On the large TV screens, the post-game press conference aired. Coach Tilson was currently taking questions.

Taking a seat on one of the barstools, I let out a long sigh as I moved my elbows to the bar and cradled my head. Suddenly, I sensed the seats on each side of me become occupied.

“Jesus, Vee.”

Lifting my head, I stared into Lip’s green stare. Leigh was on my other side.

“What was Fin thinking?” Leigh asked. “How is he? The announcers said his shoulder was dislocated. Why did Pratt put him back in?”

“He asked to go.”

Lip laid his hand on my shoulder. “He wanted to go in?”

“I could only hear Drew’s side of the conversation. He was upset that Troy risked himself with the run and slide.”

“Yeah, but Troy is young,” Lip said. He grinned. “I’m not saying Fin is old.”

“He is in football years,” I admitted. “Drew called Troy off the field. Then he called for Josh Jackson, our new third string.”

The bartender set the pink cosmo before me.

“Thank you.” I lifted the glass and took a long sip. Setting it down, I continued my story. “From what I gleaned from Drew’s side of the conversation, Fin asked to be put in. After the game, Fin told me he couldn’t risk our season on Jackson.” Not an exact quote, but I could read between the lines.

“All he needed to do was run out the clock,” Lip said.

A rush of pride filled my circulation, overpowering my earlier dread and fear. It could be the vodka, but I chose to believe it was pride. Lifting my cheeks, I grinned. “I was so scared when he didn’t get up. Then seeing him in so much pain…” I took another drink of my cosmo. “When I realized he wanted to go back on the field, I was furious. Dad said I shouldn’t micromanage or make calls, but I wanted to scream at both Fin and Drew. I swear, I was paralyzed standing on the sideline. And then, when he threw to JD again...” I inhaled. “Fin went back out on the field for me.”

“For you?” Leigh asked.