“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 bestfor 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.”
