Free The Handoff (Big Play #3) by Jordan Ford Page A

spend last night sleeping in the gym just so you can drag me home now.”
    His dark eyebrows bunch in query, but I don’t have it in me to answer him. I let go of his collar and stumble back.
    “Just leave me alone, Finn. I’ll be fine.”
    My knee buckles as I step back and Finn is right there to catch me. His arm comes around my back and then he sweeps me off the messy pathway. I should be struggling right now, but his arms are so big and strong. I’ve always liked that about him.
    “Tank.” I mutter his nickname, my eyes burning with tears as I get ready to plead with him.
    His brown eyes flicker with a look I can’t decipher, and then he starts carrying me to his car.
    “Please, no,” I whimper. “Where are you taking me?”
    “Home.”
    “No.” I start to cry, then kick my legs in a pathetic, last-ditch effort to get away. “I told you I don’t—”
    “ My home.” He squeezes me to his chest to combat my frail fighting and stops to gaze down at me. “Just relax.” The expression on his face softens with a sweet look as the edge of his mouth rises into a smile. I look at the faint dimples curving around his lips. I want to reach up and touch them, but instead I rest my head against his shoulder and quit fighting.
    The car beeps in front of us and I expect Finn to put me down so I can get in, but he doesn’t. His strong arms stay wrapped around me as he bends low and opens the door. He lowers me into the seat, even going so far as to put my seatbelt on for me. I can’t help staring at him while he snaps the buckle in place.
    “What?” His forehead wrinkles with confusion.
    I shake my head then curl into my seat as he moves away, shutting the door behind me. His tall body lopes around the car. I can’t take my eyes off his solid legs and the smooth way he moves. For such a tall guy, he’s got some elegance going for him.
    I don’t say anything as he slips into the car and starts the engine. All I can do is close my eyes and pray I don’t throw up on the drive to his house.
    Going there is probably a really bad idea. But I don’t have anywhere else to hide right now, and already a fresh wave of nausea is washing over me. I don’t think I can deny that I’m sick anymore, and I need a place to recover before I get out of Nelson. There’s something safe about Finn and his calm manner. Maybe being there for a few days will be okay. As long as Derek doesn’t find me, I can skip out of town before school starts in a week.

 
    #12:
    The Jones Residence
     
    Finn
     
    I’m nervous as I steer Mom’s car back to our house. I don’t do this kind of thing …bring girls home. Especially sick, crying girls. But the look of fear in Layla’s eyes when she whispered, “Tank,” wrenched my insides.
    I don’t know what happened to her or why she spent the night in our school gym, but it was enough for me to bring her back to my place. Something went down. Something bad. I will find out what it is, but for now, I just need to take care of Layla.
    Pausing at the traffic light, I look over at the girl curled up in the passenger seat. She’s holding her stomach and looking ready to puke again. Her jaw is clenched tight, her skin tone a sickly cream color. Her body is still trembling, just like it was when I carried her to the car.
    She was so light I felt like I could have walked her the whole way home with her floppy head resting against my shoulder. I’ve never carried a girl that way before. I’ve picked up my cousins and flung them over my shoulder as they giggled in my ear, but I’ve never carried a girl like a princess.
    It felt kind of good.
    An image of Mack’s angry glare suddenly pops into my head and I snap my eyes back to the road. The light turns green and I accelerate through the intersection. Layla’s face is bunched tight, like she’s concentrating on not hurling or something. I need to get her out of Mom’s car as soon as I can.
    Pulling into the driveway, I leap out the door and