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Finn didthis? All on his own?
“Why are you going through my stuff, Rory?”
The excitement I’d felt clenching inside my gut hearing the venom in Finn’s tone. Low but threatening, that’s what it is.
I blink and blink again, but the words never change. Finn had done it. I knew he was good… butthis? This is something else entirely.
“Finn,” I say, looking up at him in awe. “Why didn’t you say anything?”
My reaction the complete opposite to his rigid shoulders and cagey, heated gaze.
“I’m going to ask you one more time, why are you going through my shit?” His voice slow, patronizing.
Is he more angry or disappointed? I can’t tell. Either way, he’s acting like a complete jerk right now, and I’m not about it.
Shoving the paper into his chest, I defend myself. “I didn’t go through anything.You’rethe one who left it sitting on top of your desk, out in the open. All I was trying to do was drop off your earpiece.”
His eyes briefly shift down at where the bud sits and then back to me. I stare him down unmoving because clearly, I’m not the one who has anything to hide.
Finn’s fingers flex in the same motion as his lashes. A small hint of regret flashing in them. As they should.
And we’d had such a good morning on our run. Ruined.
“This is huge,” I say, trying to understand why he isn’t more excited. This is a dream come true for him.
“You’re making it out to be more than it is,” he asserts. Trying to downplay it for some reason that I’m still confused about. “Besides,” he snorts, his upper lip twitching in the same motion. “I’m not taking it, so it doesn’t matter.”
I take a step, but he only shoves past, wadding up the paper and throwing it in the small garbage can beside the desk.
Taking it out, I uncrumple it. “Why not? Finn, this is an offer for a scholarship. You were offered a full ride for basketball. How can younottake it?” Disbelief tinges, cloaking my every word.
Harsh lines form around his mouth and his top lip twitches again. It’s more subtle this time but I still notice it. His gaze ironclad on the piece of paper in my hand, before his head sharply turns toward the ground.
“Why didn’t you say anything?” I ask, taking a seat beside him on the bed’s edge.
He doesn’t answer right away. Considering that for about half a second before he tuts, clicking his tongue and dismissing me. Shoving his other foot into his shoe and rising from his spot.
“I told you; it doesn’t matter. I can’t take it.”
My eyes track him around the room as he digs through discarded clothes on the floor. Coming up empty every time for what he’s in search of. A shirt no doubt since he’d thankfully come out of his bathroom with shorts already on.
My jaw sets the longer I watch. “Can’t or won’t?”
“Drop it, Rory,” he growls. Growing more agitated the longer he continues to come up empty.
“So, it’s a won’t then,” I decide for him, disappointed. “Got it.”
He sighs, tossing down another handful. “It’s a yes, no…both?I don’t know, like I said it doesn’t matter, I’m not taking it.”
That’s what I’m having trouble comprehending. Whywouldn’the take it? Basketball’s his passion.
Sure, coming up with the money to go to college has never been the issue for him, but it’s the principle. Someone out there—this school—thinks he’s good enough. They want him on their team next year.
How does he not understand what an amazing opportunity this is? It says you’re good enough. Come work with us, keep going. We want you.
Finn releases a ragged breath, finding the basketball under his bed and my stomach flips. The look on his face artificial when he pops back up, while mine is of concern.
“But why?” I push again, needing to know the truth.
