“Are you interested because she’s attractive or because she’s an adoring groupie fawning over the great Finn Halseth?”
“Hey, I don’t do groupies.” He chuckled at the double entendre. He didn’tsocializewith diehard fans that had deeper intentions, and certainly hadn’tdoneany in a damn long time.
Zoe’s smile fell, her eyebrows heavy. “I don’t think you need your heart broken again. Your career, then mom, then Trace… be careful, okay?”
“I’m not looking for anything. But it’s nice to be noticed.” So manly. Didn’t bother claiming that he was fine. She wouldn’t believe him anyway.
Tara swished past, pausing to whisper audibly to Zoe, “I think he needs a fling. Nothing serious, just a good lay.”
Rolling his eyes, Finn crossed his arms and backed up a few steps.
Zoe nodded, conspiracy glinting in her dark gaze. “Good plan. Either that or he can buy us a bigger hot water heater.”
Flashing the pair a wink, he spun around and caught up on greeting his latest customers.
5
Motion
Finnsmashedhisfootinto the pile of rocks at his feet, splaying gravel across the parking lot. Fucking sunny day. The chipper blue sky laughing in his face. Shitty way to start the damn day.
“Hello, Finn? It’s Jay Walker from Minneapolis.” Exactly the call he should have been dying to get, and the throat punch he’d expected it to be.
Swallowing a suffocating lump that lodged in his throat, he croaked, “Yeah, Jay. I know who you are. How’re things in your neck of the woods these days?”
“Great. Beautiful day here.”
Come on, get to the point.
“What I called for, Finn, is, well, we’d like to have you come on out for an interview. If all goes well, maybe talk you into a contract for an assistant coaching position. I’d love to see you whip some shape into our receivers.” The Midwest vowels drew out with each word, not a hint of pretension in his tone.
“That, uh, yeah. That would be great.” Goddammit.
“Wonderful. How about we fly you out, show you around and see what you think?”
“Sure, sure I can do that.” No he couldn’t. Or wouldn’t. But should. Opportunity of a lifetime, for the second time in his career, and the idea of it tied his stomach in knots.
“Great. I’ll have my assistant call you to nail down the dates and send along an itinerary.”
“I’ll look forward to hearing from them.”
Pops had walked in seconds later. “Was that a call on a coaching position?”
Finn nodded, his molars ground so tight he couldn’t answer.
Smile reaching his crinkly eyes that had seen so many sunsets over the field, so many games himself and then as Finn’s coach until college, and now as the high school coach, Pops dropped onto the stool and bumped his elbow into Finn’s side. “Why don’t you look more excited?”
“Dunno. A lot to take in, I guess. Just an interview.”
“Don’t want to get your hopes up? I get it. I thought you’d said you hadn’t sent out any resumés yet?”
“I didn’t. Coach Lund had asked if I minded if he gave out my number. Knowing Kit, he didn’t wait for them to ask, but offered it out to anyone willing to listen.”
“Doesn’t matter how they tracked you down. The fact that they reached out? Come on, you must already have the job, they’re just waiting on the formalities. Bet they already have the contract drawn up.”
“He implied as much.” His teeth still gritted together, he nodded. “Think I’ll get some fresh air. Let it soak in.”
“Of course. If I can do anything to help, you just let me know. Brenda would be so proud, her son, the professional football playerandcoach. Imagine, in a few years? You may get your own team.” Pops beamed enough for both of them.
