Page 61 of Scored

“There’s always an excuse, isn’t there?”

I set my plate on the edge of the buffet and met Daphne’s gaze. My voice was a stern whisper. “You do not want to push me on this right now.”

“It’s the only time I see you or you’ll talk to me.”

Grant appeared at Daphne’s side. “What’s going on?” he asked.

Too many thoughts were fighting for attention.

The fact the two people in front of me were screwing each other.

Daphne’s contention of Dad’s will.

Her brazen attitude.

The pillbox.

I looked at Grant. “What’s going on? We just won. Now, I’m going to sit down by Fin’s parents and watch Zane play for his chance to move on to the championship round.” I turned to Daphne and spoke as sickeningly sweet as I could muster. “You’re welcome to stay or go. If you want to talk…” —I lowered my voice— “call my damn cell phone.”

The NFL game entered the second quarter with a score of Seahawks ten and Vikings seven. My food was gone, and I was nursing my second cosmo. After my encounter with Daphne, I could drink more, but I wouldn’t. I didn’t want to have someone else drive me home. The suite door opened and the handsomest man I knew entered. “Fin.”

His cerulean stare came to me as his lips quirked into a grin. “Nice place you have here, Ms. Hubbard.”

I jumped up and walked to him. “That’s right, you’ve never been up here.”

“No, we mere players are kept downstairs.”

Kissing his cheek, I grinned. “Consider this an open invitation.” I shrugged. “In all honesty, the sideline is better.” I met his gaze. “Great game.”

“I didn’t play.”

“You were there for Troy if he needed you.”

His grin was back. “Best seat in the house.”

I showed Fin around the suite, taking him to the balcony. The field lights were still bright as workers cleaned the rows and rows of seats.

“Recliners?” He laughed.

“All the comforts of home.”

A loud cheer came from within the suite. We hurried up the few stairs.

“Vikings?” Fin asked.

Theo was on his feet. “Interception for a score.”

We made it to the television in time to watch the replay. The Seahawks’ quarterback went for a quick screen pass to his wide receiver. The Vikings’ defense didn’t take the bait. Their cornerback ran right through the play, caught the ball like it was meant for him, and took off for the end zone.

“Ouch,” Fin said. “That hurts.”

Two by two, members of my family left. I thought Daphne and Grant were the first to leave. Honestly, I wasn’t paying that close of attention. By halftime only Lip and Chris, Lisa and Theo, and Fin and I were left. The score was tied 17–17.

“If we leave now,” Fin said, “it will be close to the second half by the time we get home.”

My cheeks rose at the sound of home coming from his lips.

“We left our overnight bag with the concierge at the Vine, like you said, Vee,” Theo said. “Will the young man still be on duty?”