Page 28 of Scored

“Have you been talking to my trainer?”

She nodded with a closed-lip grin.

“Isn’t that a violation of HIPAA?”

Vee leaned close and whispered. “As your owner, I have the right to your health information. You gave that to me when you signed your contract.”

“My contract—you own my contract…and my heart.” I added.

“Then it’s good that I can check on things like your heart.”

We both jolted as the plane came to a stop. Within seconds, a bell dinged and people up and down the aisle were on their feet.

“The behavior of the commercial flier is the best example of Pavlovian theory,” Vee said with a smirk.

“By the prevalence of the Viking colors, everyone is anxious to get to the game.” Standing, I stepped into the aisle and reached up to open the overhead compartment.

“What do you think you’re doing?” Vee asked as she stood.

“Getting our luggage.”

Vee shook her head. “Step aside.”

“They aren’t heavy.”

She lifted an eyebrow. “Do you want to play or not?”

Lifting my one hand in surrender, I moved, allowing Vee to reach our bags.

We were wheeling our luggage inside the terminal when my phone buzzed with a text message. Stepping to the side of the hallway, I checked the message. A smile curled my lips as I slipped the phone back into my pocket. “My parents are already at the hotel.”

“Good. Do we know about Ashley?”

I sent a text to Mom. Her reply came immediately. “Mom says she lands in ten minutes.”

“Let’s wait for her.”

I typed out another message.

SEND ME ASHLEY’S NUMBER.

“I’ll text her and tell her we’ll meet her near the Uber pickup.”

We weren’t the only fans flying in for the game. Despite GRB not being a large airport—only two terminals—the hallways were bustling with travelers. Vikings shirts, coats, and sweatshirts outnumbered Packers gear easily three to one. That made sense: the Packers’ fans were already here.

“Fin. Vee,” a feminine voice called.

When we turned, we saw Ashley hurrying toward us. I could see how she used to be a cheerleader. She was cute in a perky way. The most important thing was that Zane cared for her.

“Oh my God. I can’t believe you thought of me.” She wrapped her arms around Vee and then around me. “Thank you so much. When Zane told me that you were saving me from the frigid temperatures of Lambeau Field, I screamed with joy.” She stared at my arm and back up to my eyes. Her smile faded. “I forgot about your shoulder. I didn’t hurt you when I hugged you, did I?”

Vee was the one to answer. “Fin’s used to getting knocked down by great big men. You’re light as a feather.” She looked out the glass window and back. “Shall we go out to the car?”

“If you haven’t already used your app, I’m happy to pay for the ride,” Ashley said.

“Ride is taken care of,” I said. “Vee decided we needed a vehicle big enough for all five of us.”

Vee and Ashley closed their coats and slipped on their gloves. The gust of cold air as we exited the building felt like invisible needles prickling my face. “Damn, I’m not jealous of Zane playing in this.”