Chapter 11
Vee
It was a split-second decision. Would I acknowledge Fin’s presence, or just pretend not to see him?
“Ms. Hubbard,” he said, spotting me coming closer. “Are you stalking me? I hear that the Coopers has strict sexual harassment rules. I’d hate to have to report you to HR.” His smile was too wide to be serious.
Fin laughed. “Not even in the slightest.”
In the Kentucky heat, he leaned against the side panel and crossed his ankles.
Although his blue stare was covered by sunglasses, I felt their focus singeing my skin.
The button-down shirt was wrinkle free, except the sleeves were now rolled, showcasing his tanned forearms. Fin looked as put together as he had earlier in my office.
Me on the other hand…I wished I’d worn my jacket.
I couldn’t exactly blame hard nipples on the eighty-three-degree day.
“I like a vehicle that can actually carry things, people, cargo, whatever I might need.”
“I suppose it comes in handy for someone who moves around as much as you do. No need to hire a moving company.”
Fin tipped his chin toward my car. “With that tiny back seat, how do you even grocery shop?”
My head tilted to the side. “I avoid buying in bulk.”
Fin nodded. “It really is good to see you again.”
I nodded. “You look good.”
“You too. You always have.”
Inhaling, I shook my head. “We can try not to make things awkward. No one knows our history except my cousins Lip and Leigh.”
“I was thinking about that when I met Mr. Hubbard. I was never given an opportunity to meet him years ago.”
“You don’t understand what it was like, being around the football team at Kentucky. If anyone had known I was part of the Lexington Coopers’ Hubbards, I would have been treated differently. Only the coach knew.”
“I thought you and I were closer than you and the rest of the team.”
Pressing my lips together, I shook my head. “Sorry, Fin. I don’t have time for this, now or ever,” I added. “I need to go.” I lifted my tote. “Drew Pratt gave me homework.”
“Aren’t you his boss?”
“No. That would be Royce, Dad, Uncle Darin, and I suppose, Grant. Like I said earlier, I concentrate on the business side of the franchise.”
He stepped away from the truck as his forehead furrowed. “Then why is Pratt giving you homework?”
“It’s my father’s idea. He wants me to have an understanding of both sides of the team.”
Fin cocked his eyebrows. “Does that mean I might be seeing more of you?”
“If I pass Royce’s test. I think he doesn’t believe I will.”
“What’s his test?”
I pulled the playbook out of my tote bag. “Learn some one hundred play calls by Wednesday morning practice.”
“I have the same homework. Let me know if you want a study buddy. I still owe you for helping me with economics.”
“Managerial economics,” I specified, “and you were the one who worked your ass off.”
“I’m still willing to return the favor.” Fin came closer. “Let me see your phone.”
I narrowed my gaze. “Why?”
“I want to add my number. That way if you need help, you can call.”
“Fin.” I sighed. “I’m not going to call you.”
He lifted his hand palm up.
Next thing I knew, I pulled my phone from the tote bag and laid it in his large hand.
“Lock screen code?”
“Some things a woman doesn’t share,” I said with a grin, retrieving my phone. After entering the lock screen code, I handed it back.
Fin took the phone and began swiping the screen. “There.” His firm lips twitched into a grin.
Reaching to take my phone back, our hands grazed each other’s. Electricity skirted over my flesh. Pulling my hand back, I said, “I need to go.”
“Yeah, see you around, Ms. Hubbard.”
“Vee.”
His grin blossomed. “I’ll take that as a positive move forward.”
I didn’t respond as we both got into our respective vehicles.
For a moment, I stared at the dashboard as I brought the car to life. The screen to my right let me know my cell phone was connected. I had one unread text.
While I didn’t recognize the number, I hit the screen, asking my car to read it to me.
“Message from ###-###-####. Name the time and place.”
I furrowed my brow. What kind of text was that?
Lifting my phone, I read the text message. It wasn’t so much a message, but a response.
From me:
“FIN, GREAT TO SEE YOU. LET’S CATCH UP.”
From the unknown number:
“NAME THE TIME AND THE PLACE.”
He didn’t only give me his number, but he shared my number with him.
I looked up. Fin’s truck was gone from the parking space.
Tossing my phone back into my tote, I laid my head back on the soft seat and tried to reason with my traitorous memories.
It seemed to me that I should be recalling the way he ghosted me.
I should be remembering the nights I waited for him to call or text.
Why, instead, was I recalling more favorable things about Fin Graham?
Nearly fourteen years ago
“Oh, Fin is going to freak the fuck out when he sees you,” Emma said, standing behind me as we both gazed into the full-length mirror.
She ran her hands over my long curls, the ones she’d worked so hard to create.
Crystal combs held the sides up, leaving small spirals dangling near my cheeks.
Diamond studs matching the diamond solitaire necklace glistened.
Both were my high school graduation gifts from Dad and Daphne.
I smoothed the skirt of my dress. “You don’t think it’s too short, do you?” The red satin dress came to my midthighs. The neckline required a strapless bra, and my heels were dangerously high for a Delta Tau Delta fraternity New Year’s Eve dance.
“Are you kidding?” my friend asked. “You’re gorgeous. Fin will want to screw you as soon as he sees you.”
I turned, meeting Emma’s gaze. “We still haven’t…gone all the way.”
She opened her eyes wide. “It’s been what, like a year?”
“Almost six months,” I corrected. “We’ve done a lot, well, like everything else. This dance feels like prom. Like tonight will be the night.” My cheeks warmed. “Fin reserved a hotel room for after the dance.”
“Thank God I won’t have to hear the two of you through these thin walls.” Emma reached for my shoulders and turned me toward her. “Just because he reserved a room doesn’t mean you have to go all the way. You don’t owe it to him.”
I wiggled my shoulders, looking directly into her eyes.
“I want to. I want it to be Fin. I’ve never felt like this before.
” I tried to tame my smile. “He doesn’t know who my dad is or what he does.
Fin loves football, but it seems like he might love me too.
For me.” I sighed. “Does that make sense? The guys in high school all knew who I was. It would have been a notch in their belt to take Reid Hubbard’s only daughter’s virginity. Fin…he’s different.”
Emma’s cheeks rose as her smile softened. “Fuck all the guys back at your high school. You’re Vee Hubbard. You don’t have to be Reid Hubbard’s daughter.”
My gaze again went to the mirror. I scanned my chestnut hair down my red dress, to my legs, and the high heels. “I’m twenty years old. I think I’m ready.”
Emma smirked. “Make Fin work for it. Don’t be so willing.”
I giggled at memories. “He’s been working for it. I promise.”
“Oh, details.”
I shook my head, the small curls swaying near my face. “Not yet.” God knew that Emma had shared too many details with me. “I need to savor them a little longer.”
“Oral?” she asked.
“I’m not saying.” Despite my stand, warmth filled my cheeks at the memory of Fin going down on me.
He’d done that more than a few times before I braved going down on him.
His size was a problem. In books it sounded good, but in reality, I had to use my hands to surround him.
Even without experience, I had the sensation of being the one girl who could make the great Fin Graham come apart.
While the football season was over, University of Kentucky had made it to a bowl game for the first time in five years.
We played Georgia Tech in the Tax Slayer Bowl—the bowl names nowadays were crazy.
We lost 18–33, but the talking heads on college football had nothing but praise for Griffin Graham, saying he was the key to our successful season.
“Vee, the look in your eyes tells me all I need to know.” She took on her mother tone. “Do you have protection? I have some condoms in my room. I could let you have a few.”
“A few? Do we need more than one?”
Emma laughed. “That depends on a few different things, but from my experience, it’s better to be prepared.”
“If you let me have two, I’ll buy you more.”
She shook her head. “Consider them my gift.” Her smile grew. “Fin’s a lucky guy.”
“I hope he agrees.” I also hoped he would choose to stay at UK. His dad had been hounding him about the transfer portal which would be open for the next two weeks.
The doorbell to our apartment rang, reverberating through the rooms.
Emma’s smile grew even larger. “We’re about to find out. Let me go let him in. Then you can make a grand entrance.”
I nodded.
Fin’s deep voice came from the other room as I bravely opened my bedroom door and stepped into the small hallway. He was near the front door when Emma stepped aside. Fin’s blue stare scanned me from my toes to my hair, taking in every inch of me as if he was seeing what was hidden.
From my direction, I scanned him too, also knowing what was beneath his dark gray suit. His red tie matched my dress. While I hadn’t been sure if it was possible for Fin to look sexier than he did in his uniform, tonight I knew it was. And yet, I was waiting to hear his reaction.
“Fuck, Abby, you’re stunning.”
My heart melted to goo.
“Looking good yourself.”