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 taped to 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.
“Let me quiz you.”
I snagged my lower lip between my teeth. “I’m not ready to go without my notes.”
“Use your notes.” He pulled out one of the chairs across the table and picked up the playbook Drew had given me. “Let me look…”
I moved my players into formation.
Fin scrutinized the placement. “What if we’re not in I formation?”
Lifting my face, I met his stare with a furrowed brow. “I hadn’t thought of that.”
“I formation is the most common. But let me show you a few others.” He reached for two backs and moved them side by side. “This is the split back.”
“Why would you want a split back formation?”
“It puts the running back and fullback closer to the quarterback. After the snap, the quarterback can easily pass or fake a pass. They both pretend they have the ball and divide the defense.”
A smile curled my lips. “And you can step back and throw down the field.”
“That’s the plan. Line up in split back formation, and I’ll call a play.”
I moved the checkers into the formation he’d just shown me.
“Ready?”
“Ready,” I replied.
“Double right 200 jet dragon.”
I looked down at my notes and back up at Fin.
“Do you—?”
“Shh.” I left the checkers in split formation but widened the distance between the two backs.
The offensive line moved forward, as if ready to block.
The running backs both ran a slant while the outside receivers ran an in route.
The tight end ran a post. “If he’s open” —I point to the tight end— “he gets the pass. If not, it goes to one of the backs or receivers. That’s your decision. ”
“What if they’re all blocked?” he asked.
“It’s hard to say without calculating for the defense.”
Fin reached for the QB checker. “My job is to go through my reads.” He touched each of the eligible receivers. “I move from one to the next, seeing if they’re on the right route and what the defense is doing. If all my targets are covered, I run the ball or ground it. Anything but a sack.”
“Can we do this again?” I asked.
“Sure. Let me show you some other formations.”
Fin explained the twins, ace, trips, empty, and quads formations. With each setup, he explained why it would be called and what likely calls would be used. Each time he read me a call, I checked my notes and moved the checkers.
“We’re pretending this is no-huddle offense,” Fin said. “Huddle calls tend to be longer. You want to try?”
“Yes,” I replied eagerly.
Time got away from us as we moved the checkers over the table.
“Oh my goodness,” I said, looking at my watch. “It’s after seven. Jen didn’t tell me she was leaving.”
“I believe you told her you didn’t want to be disturbed, or that’s what she told me when I arrived.”
My smile lifted my cheeks. “I’m glad you didn’t listen. This” —I motioned to the checkers— “was very helpful.”
“You’re the one who came up with the idea.”
“I don’t like the diagrams. I want something more concrete.”
Fin pushed back his chair and stood. “You’re going to do great tomorrow.”
“Thank you for checking on me.” I’d forgotten about his attire. My gaze went to his muscular legs, up to his waist, and the way the Coopers t-shirt tapered out to his wide shoulders. “We should call it a night.”
“I’d ask you to dinner, but I’m not exactly dressed for dining. Unless it’s McDonald’s.”
“Don’t make me tell Drew. McDonald’s is not on the Coopers-approved list for proper nutrition.”
Fin laughed. “I can’t remember the last time I ate fast food.”
“Keep it that way.”
He touched his forehead with two fingers in a salute. “Yes, boss. Maybe a raincheck on the dinner thing?”
A sigh came from my lips. “I probably shouldn’t, unless you want to bring a date. We can double date.”
“No offense, but I don’t want to have dinner with Preston Clark.”
“Do you know him?”
“Not him. I know his family. Back when I lived in Bowling Green. They were…” He inhaled. “Their reputation wasn’t favorable with local people, especially those who worked in the horse industry.”
“Meadow Farms has been in the Clark family for generations.” I wasn’t sure why I felt the need to defend Preston’s family. “They’ve always been nice to me.”
“Sure, because you have money.”
“You’re saying that you don’t actually know Preston?”
“I do not,” he conceded. “I suppose I shouldn’t make blanket judgments.”
I nodded with a grin. “Thank you for reconsidering. Let me know when you want to double date.”
“That answer,” he said with a sexy quirk to his grin, “won’t change. I can walk you to your car.”
Turning toward the windows, I saw the summer evening sky. “It’s not dark. I’ll be fine. Thanks.”
“Do you have more work to do?”
“No.”
“Then grab your things,” he said. “You can’t trust the football types around here.”
“I happen to spend all my time here. I’m safe.”
“Vee, let me get to spend a few more minutes with you.”
“You’re bossy.”
“I can be,” he said, “especially when I know what I want.”
Ignoring that comment or the way it made my insides twist, I took the playbook and walked to my desk. I collected my tablet and put everything into my tote. “I’m ready.”