Page 40 of Twisted Trails
But first, this.
Pulling out my phone, I blink through the ache in my head as I scroll through contacts. It takes longer than it should to find the name I need.
Why not ruin my life completely today?
Kevin’s name stares back at me, and for a moment, my thumb hovers.
Then I hit call.
FaceTime rings twice before his face appears, and his brows go up instantly. “Whoa. What happened to you?” I open my mouth, but he cuts me off. “Wait, wait. I’ll grab Rach.”
A few seconds later, he’s back, and Rachel leans into view beside him, all bright smiles until she really looks, and her expression crumples.
“Oh my God. Finn, what the hell?”
I try to smile, but it tugs wrong and sends a lightning bolt of pain through my face. “Yeah. Looks about as bad as it feels.”
“Did you crash?” she asks, voice gone small.
“No,” I admit. “These are the consequences of my own actions. That’s a life lesson I’m going to pass on to you two.”
Kevin mutters something under his breath, but Rachel is already frowning. “You look like someone took a tire iron to your face. You need stitches or something?”
“Probably,” I say, shifting the phone a little. “But I needed to call you first.”
Rachel tilts her head. “Wait… before a hospital?”
“Yeah.” I exhale. “Because it’s fucking time I tell you this. The funding didn’t come through.”
There’s a beat of silence.
Kevin’s mouth tightens. “Shit.”
“And telling us that couldn’t wait until you weren’t actively bleeding anymore?” Rachel asks, but she looks disappointed as well.
“Listen,” I say, gripping the phone tighter. “I fucked up. I thought I could make it happen this year, and I couldn’t. I’m sorry it won’t happen next season, but I swear to you both, I’m not giving up. I’ll get you to the circuit the year after. If I have to pitch you to another team myself, I will.”
Rachel’s bottom lip wobbles. “I don’t want just any team. I wantours. Yours.”
“I know, Rach.” My throat closes a little. “Me, too, but we’ll make it happen for you guys, even if it takes another year. I can’t say how yet, or when, but I’ll figure it out. I promise.”
I mean it with my whole chest. No matter how, I will get those two on the circuit.
“So, business as usual.” Kevin nods. “We keep practicing until we’re there.”
That’s it. That’s all he says, no cussing me out.
I don’t deserve them.
But I don’t deserve a lot of things right now.
My nose burns—probably more from tears than the punch this time—and I choke a little on the emotion rising in my throat. “I’m so sorry I let you down.”
Rachel leans closer, her voice thick. “It’s not over, right? It’s just a rock garden. You’re one of the best at those.”
God. These kids.
I swallow hard. “You’re right.”
