McKenzie took the ball, dropped back far behind the line, and looked for an opening. The Saints’ defense fought to bring him down, but the Storm players maintained a line of protection as McKenzie searched for, and then found, an opening. He launched the ball in a high arc and I watched as it spiraled in the air, heading straight for the open arms of Jamal Williams, who plucked it out of the air, tucked his chin to his chest, and plowed through the waiting defensive players to score!
The crowd went wild as the Storm offense flooded the end zone slapping Williams and high fiving each other. I looked over to see Dax wiping his eyes and then looking upward with a big smile on his face.
“Kind of like this football thing, don’t you?” I whispered as I slipped my arm through his and leaned against him.
“Yeah, kinda,” he grinned.
Chapter Forty-Five
Dax
The celebration after the Storm win over the Saints lasted well into the night and didn’t involve the violence or destruction that we’d seen after the Bears’ game. I felt a new sense of loyalty to the team and, as a result, I found myself wanting to be more involved with the day-to-day activities of running the team. While this drew me closer to Payton, it began to create a rift between Finn and me.
I hadn’t heard from him since Gram died, so when he showed up in my office, it was a surprise.
“Where have you been?”
“Oh, you know, kicking some ideas around and seeing what’s out there,” Finn said as he fidgeted restlessly.
“So, what’s going on with the management company?” I asked. “How far along are the offices? Are we ready to hire staff?”
“They’re good,” he said, avoiding any specifics. I’d grown suspicious of Finn’s activities, so I’d done a little digging to find out exactly what was going on. What he didn’t know was that I knew he’d pocketed a good chunk of the money I’d given him to start the management company, and that we were nowhere near ready to open the offices. “Yeah, we can move on the staff in the next couple of weeks.”
“Are you sure about that?” I asked, wanting to give him one more chance to come clean before I blew the lid off of his lies.
“Huh? Sure, why?” he asked looking surprised that I’d question him this way.
“Finn, I know what’s going on,” I said, deciding that he if wasn’t going to come clean with me voluntarily, I’d spill the beans. “You fucked up, man.”
“What are you talking about?”
“I know you haven’t followed through on any of the plans,” I said, keeping my voice calm. “I know you pocketed most of the money and that you’re working on some other deal.”
“I have no idea what you’re talking about,” he said avoiding my eyes.
“We’ve been friends our whole lives, Finn,” I said. “I know you. I know what you do and how you operate. I know you’re screwing me over.”
“Fuck you, Dax!” he shouted as he grew agitated. “I didn’t screw you over, you screwed me over! You went back on our deal!”
“What the hell are you talking about?” I said angrily. “I did everything I promised I’d do! I gave you the money and the freedom to pursue the new venture, and you’ve screwed it all up! I don’t know how that qualifies as going back on our deal!”
“You fell for the girl,” Finn said in a voice that reminded me of when we were kids in the school yard. “You weren’t supposed to fall for her.”
“What the fuck?” I said caught off guard. “I haven’t—”
“Yeah, you have,” he said shaking his head. “You just haven’t realized it yet.”
I stood staring at him, not knowing what to say as his words worked their way into my brain. It seemed absurd that I’d have to defend myself, but Finn was right. I’d fallen for Payton, and I’d fallen hard.
“I…I…don’t…” I began and then trailed off. “You said she was a spy.”
“Yeah, I know. At first I thought she was, but then as I watched the two of you, I figured out she was the real deal,” Finn said. “I know it. Gram knew it. You’re the only one who doesn’t seem to know it. I started the new venture when I realized that you weren’t going to sell the team. I don’t love this game, Dax. I never have. It’s the thrill of the chase for me, you know that, but I can’t run the management company without a partner like you. You’re the one who does the heavy lifting. I’m just the front man. The deal maker. I can’t sustain a business like that without you.”
“So, where’s all the money,” I asked.
“What do you care?”
I thought about it for a moment and realized he was right. I didn’t care about building a new business, and I certainly didn’t care about what happened to the money I’d given him; if I had, I’ve have been on top of the details from the get go.