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.
“I just want to know,” I said.
“I made a donation to the library fund,” he said, looking away. Then quietly added, “Your grandmother was good to me, too, you know.”
I said nothing as I wrestled with conflicting emotions. I was pissed at Finn for betraying me by not doing what he’d said he’d do, but I also knew that he’d done the best he could. Finn waited for me to say something, and when I remained silent, he nodded and then turned and walked out.