FINN THOMPSON
Idon’t think anything could ruin my mood after the most amazing Christmas break with my girls. Not even the thought of going back to university and finishing my final year, because I know exactly where I stand with Maya.
That morning, I roll over and wrap my arms around Maya from behind. She sighs and snuggles back into me. I inhale her scent and wish I could spend another hour between the sheets with her, but if I want to graduate, I need to get my ass in gear.
“I’ll check on Skye and then see you later,” I whisper before kissing her cheek.
Maya releases a soft grunt as her fingers clutch my forearm. “This is nice. It’s so cold outside.”
“I know,” I chuckle. “I'll turn up the heating, wait a little while for the house to warm up. I’ll be back later. Okay?”
Her mouth twists downwards into a frown. “Fine. I love you.”
I stare at her closed eyes and peaceful state. My fingers gently brush back her dark hair so I can see all of her face. “I love you more.”
“Liar.”
My lips twitch into a smile. “It’s true.”
“No, it’s not.”
I laugh again, then give her one last kiss before leaving the bed, checking on Skye, and getting myself sorted for the day.
Once I’m in my car and heading towards campus, I think about how much I can’t wait until this year is done, when I can move on from this place and get a real job to support my family.
After meeting with my professor to show him what I’ve been working on over the break with my dissertation, I head towards the reading room before my last class of the day. I blink rapidly as I almost run straight into another body I didn’t see coming.
“Finn,” I hear as my eyes rest on Coach Darren’s. “How are you doing?”
I haven’t seen him since last year’s football training when I was practically forced to quit. Although I knew it was for the best, football was something that gave me an escape and allowed me to think of anything other than the mess going on in my life.
I clear my throat. “Coach, I’m doing well. A lot better than last year, I can tell you that.”
He searches my face, but doesn’t need to look hard. It’s obvious I’m sober because I no longer have those dark circles, bloodshot eyes, and sunken skin. For the first time in ages, I actually look refreshed after a Christmas break and not haggard after endless drinking.
“Good for you.” He nods. “Do you miss it?”
I raise a brow. “Football? Yeah, of course I miss it. It was a big part of my life growing up, it’s just a shame I ruined it all. It was fun and gave me space to clear my head.”
“You should come back,” he states. “Now you’re better.”
For a moment, I stand there and stare at him.
“What?”
“You were a great asset to the team. Even when you had a lot going on. I know there isn’t much left of your year, and you’re probably focusing hard on your studies, but exercise is the best for our mental health.
Even for a bit of fun, a kick around. It’ll be good to see you there, Finn,” he says sincerely.
I resist the urge to scratch the back of my neck. “Uh, the other guys on the team really won’t want me joining, and I’d rather not cause any drama. I just want to finish my final year in peace.”
Reese and his followers will not hesitate to bombard me with comments and insults until I’m pushed out again. I’ll never understand what his problem is.
Coach narrows his eyes at me. “Those lads will get over it. If you want to come back, Finn, come back. And if I have to, I'll have a word.”
I chew on the inside of my cheek at his words. It’s always been a passion of mine. Something that I didn’t just enjoy but thrived in and helped me survive throughout those dark times.
“I’d rather you didn’t have a word.” I cringe. “I don’t want to be a snitch.”
Coach sighs before flicking his eyes between mine.
“Don’t take it too seriously. Just have some fun.
I could see how much you loved it at the time, it would be a shame to let it all go.
Even if it’s just for practice and friendly games, nothing more.
You don’t have to see the lads on the first few teams.”
I exhale a soft sigh. I would love to come back, but I don’t want to risk being around any of them. I’d rather protect my peace, but at the same time, why should I have to avoid doing something I loved?
“I’ll think about it.”
He claps a hand over my shoulder. “You know where to find me.”
After heading home, I think through Coach’s words. I do miss football. Hell, it’s one of the only times I’ve ever felt true to myself, especially when I was drinking. It gave me a purpose and something to focus on.
It’s a little different now that I have Maya and Skye, but I suppose in my heart, I know that piece of my life is missing. It was something for me, no one else.
When I walk through the front door, Maya is in the kitchen with her dark hair thrown up into a messy bun. She glances over her shoulder at me and beams.
“Hey, how was your day?”
I shrug off my coat and kick off my shoes before heading over towards her. I press a soft kiss to her lips, and she hums in response. “It was good. How’s yours and Skye’s?”
“She’s asleep, and it’s been fairly quiet around here, which is good for a change.” She grins at me, and I take a moment to admire her beautiful face.
“You’re in a good mood,” I comment.
She shrugs as she gets back to stirring a wooden spoon around a pot on the hob. “Just been thinking about things and realising how lucky I am.”
“Mm,” I say as I wrap my arms around her from behind and kiss her neck tenderly. “Lucky is definitely right. I know I am.”
“Did you see your professor today?”
“Yeah,” I say as I clear my throat and step away. “But also bumped into Coach Darren earlier.”
I lean on the opposite counter as Maya looks over at me. “Yeah?”
“Yeah…” I trail off. “He said I should come back to join. If I’m feeling up to it.”
Maya’s eyebrows raise. “Do you want to go back?”
“I miss it,” I confess. “But I also don’t want to see Reese and those assholes.”
She grimaces at the same time I do. “Ugh, it’s so annoying they have to be there and ruin it for everyone else.”
“I know.”
“But also,” she says as she turns to face me. “Don’t let them win. They were probably only nasty to you because they were jealous that you were good. Reese has always seemed insecure to me, which makes sense because you were a good player, even when you turned up to practice drunk.”
The edge of my mouth tips in a half smile. “I guess that’s true. Hopefully I won’t have to see them, though. Coach said it’ll be more of a friendly kick-about without those in the first few teams.”
“If you want to go, go. Show them that you’re not going to let them say whatever they please anymore. We’re not in high school, and quite frankly, it’s embarrassing they think they can rule campus like it’s their kingdom,” she murmurs harshly. “They need to grow the fuck up.”
I walk towards her as she tilts her head back. “I think I need you by my side to fight my corner, sunshine,” I tease. “You’re more passionate about it than I am.”
She shakes her head. “I’m passionate about assholes getting what’s coming to them, and for you to be able to go to something you love without the worry of being shoved out for no good reason whatsoever.”
My eyes flick between hers, and I see the fire and rage simmering behind them. I cup her face and lean down, leaving a long kiss on her pouty lips. It brings me back to life in ways I can’t explain. She chose me, and I’ll grasp every moment with her with both hands.
“Thank you,” I whisper. “For supporting me and always fighting in my corner.”
“I want you to be happy,” she murmurs against my mouth.
“I am happy. The happiest I’ve been in years.”
“And do you think going back to football will help with clearing your mind?”
“Football has always been an escape for me.”
Maya’s eyes glitter as she stares up at me. “Then go get them,” she says fiercely as she grabs onto my hoodie with both fists. “And show them what you’ve got. Clear that mind. Be grateful for your body. Enjoy it, and don’t let anyone try and bring you down. We’re keeping our heads high.”
I kiss her again because I can’t help myself. My hands slide around her lower waist as she wraps hers around my neck, pressing our chests flush against one another as I widen her lips and slide my tongue inside.
She squeals before pulling away. “Skye will be awake from her nap any second.”
“So?”
I drag my mouth over the curve of her neck. “Finn—”
“Sorry, I’m so fucking obsessed with you.”
She releases a soft chuckle. “That’s good to know.”