Chapter 23
Vee
Gripping the railing, I stopped and looked up the stairs leading up to the family’s Gulfstream. If I gave into my emotions, I would sit on the bottom step and cry. Even acknowledging my feelings was a slippery slope, one that I couldn’t afford to slide down.
The last five days seemed to go on and on forever. And yet it also seemed like our flight to Green Bay was only a few days ago—my last flight with Dad. He and Daphne arrived just before takeoff. I could picture their smiles and Dad’s sparkling green stare.
A black car pulled up onto the tarmac.
Turning, I waited to see who would emerge.
My mouth opened in surprise as Daphne and Grant appeared. “Daphne?”
The autumn breeze blew her long blond hair around her face as they both came toward me.
Grant’s business casual was on point with well-tailored pants, a white button-up shirt, and a camel sports jacket.
Daphne portrayed the mourning widow in tight black slacks, and a long amber sweater with a wide belt.
Their driver carried their overnight bags to the cargo hold of the plane.
Daphne reached out to Grant for support as she maneuvered her four-inch-heeled boots and large purse across the tarmac. I watched in disbelief as they smiled at one another.
They came to a stop. The concoction of cologne and perfume withstood the cooling breeze. Daphne was the first to speak. “You look surprised to see me, Vee.”
“I didn’t know you were coming.”
“I almost didn’t make it,” she said. “Grant was sweet enough to let me know when the plane was leaving. I hadn’t heard from you.”
Clenching my teeth, I feigned a smile at my cousin. “You are so sweet, Grant.”
His lips quirked. “I do my best.”
“Let’s get on board,” I said. Inhaling, I made my way up the stairs. The wide legs of my brown slacks caught the breeze like sails. Thankfully, my boots only had two-inch heels, allowing me to steady myself as I stepped into the cabin.
“Are we all here?” I asked as I surveyed our passengers.
Uncle Darin and Aunt Rachel were present, having decided to wait for the family plane.
Leigh, Lip, and Hayden were seated in the aft at the four-person table.
Greetings, albeit terse, were said all around as I made my way back to my cousins. “Mind if I join you?”
Leigh stood and wrapped me in a hug. My promise this morning to Fin and myself to stay unemotional was getting more difficult to keep. I quickly hugged her back.
“I’m glad you decided to join us.” I pulled away and waved to Hayden and Lip. “Gang’s all here.”
Lip scooted over, giving me access to the fourth seat. Leigh leaned across the table. “Shit, Vee, do you have a bruise on your cheek?”
I tenderly palpated the sore. “I thought I did a decent job of covering it with makeup. It really is much better.” With my cousins’ eyes wide, I continued.
“Tuesday night after I left Daphne’s, I drove off the road.
You know how deep those ravines are. The airbag deployed.
” I’d told the story enough times to recite it in my sleep.
“Susan,” Daphne called to one of our hosts. “A rum and Diet Coke before takeoff, dear.”
Lip nudged my shoulder.
“Oh,” I whispered. “Did I eyeroll too loud?”
He smiled and kept his voice low. “I didn’t realize Aunt Daphne was coming.”
I lifted my eyebrows. “Yeah, I didn’t get that memo either. Apparently, Grant was sweet enough to let her know when we were leaving.”
“Sweet? That’s a new description of my brother.”
“Vee,” Leigh said, “I’m glad you waited until this morning. I can’t take off work as easily as all of you. I hate missing the away games.” She smiled at her husband. “And leaving on Saturday, Hayden could come too.”
“Your parents aren’t as appreciative.”
She shook her head. “Don’t worry about them.”
From my bag I removed the folder of papers that Bre had given me days ago. “I’m over my head.”
Lip took the folder. “What is this? More play calls?”
“No,” I said, keeping our conversation just between us. “It’s an example of what Dad does…did. His assistant put it together.”
Lip opened the folder. “From my perspective and those of us in brand and strategy, all of us flying to the game together is important. The Coopers are known as a family business. If Mom and Dad would have flown separately, it could send the message that there’s dysfunction in the Coopers’ executive offices. ”
Scoffing, I shook my head. “Dysfunction? Yeah, we don’t want to let that get out.”
“Seriously, Vee,” Lip said. “I talked to my parents and shut down the idea of them traveling separately.”
“So I have you to thank for their warm greetings.”
“There’s a lot that needs to be settled.”
I pulled back the folder. “I’ve been so busy with my duties, I haven’t had a chance to dive into this.”
“Excuse me,” Susan said.
We all turned our attention to her.
“First, we’re all very sorry.”
Pressing my lips together, I swallowed and nodded.
“The pilot is doing his final check. May I get anyone anything before we take off?”
Our flight would be approximately four and a half hours wheels up to wheels down.
We gave Susan our drink orders. Unlike Daphne, the four of us chose to remain alcohol free, seeing as it was only nine in the morning—six in Vegas.
Once we were in the air, I waffled between reading Bre’s notes and conversing with my cousins.
Despite all that was happening, we managed to keep our conversation light with few mentions of Dad or the Coopers.
It was after we’d eaten an early lunch that Leigh breached the subject of Fin. “I was surprised you two went public when you did. Is everything still good?”
I let out a long sigh. “It wasn’t our choice to go public. Fin was spotted by a reporter in the elevator that goes up to the floor where I live. They made assumptions.”
“Accurate assumptions,” Hayden said with a grin.
“Assumptions, nonetheless,” I replied. “At first, I hoped it would subside. When it didn’t, we decided to take away the fuel of rumors. The story seemed to lose steam after we substantiated it.”
“It’s not as sensational,” Lip said, “if it’s a fact.”
“Coopers’ brand,” I said, nudging his shoulder.
“We in branding got your order from the top to let the story ride.” He quirked a smile. “Look at you making administrative decisions already.”
I shook my head. “In case you were wondering, I won’t be in the suite Sunday.”
Hayden and Leigh nodded.
“On the sidelines?” Lip asked.
“Yeah. Honestly, it was what Dad encouraged. When I’m out there, I’m consumed with the plays, the game, and the players. It’s surprisingly a retreat to be so absorbed in the action.”
Leigh reached across the table and covered my hand. “Uncle Reid was very proud of what you were doing down there.”
“I’m not doing anything. I’m watching and learning.”
She shook her head. “To hear him talk about it, what you were doing was much more than that. You were constructing an important bridge between the Coopers on the field and the owner’s suite.”
I closed my eyes, fighting new tears. My nostrils flared as I blinked my eyes open and feigned a smile. “This is where I’m torn. Do I continue my role with stadium operations and marketing and building that bridge, or do I” —I patted the manila folder— “step into Dad’s role?”
“Only you can decide that,” Leigh replied.
After landing in Las Vegas, dry heat rushed inside the Gulfstream as the door opened.
“Vee,” Uncle Darin said, “I arranged for the cars as normal. I didn’t have a chance to talk to you...”
My smile strained. “At our last meeting, we discussed carrying on our roles. Thank you for arranging the cars, as something you’ve always done. Security?”
“That is arranged as well.”
“After we check into our hotel…” Grant said. “We’re staying at the Waldorf. I’m headed over to Allegiant Stadium in my capacity with communications.”
“We can ride together,” I offered. “Stadium operations are already in full gear.”
The warm morning sun caused me to squint as I made my way down the stairs.
Brown mountains in the distance and a bright blue sky above reminded me that we weren’t in Lexington anymore.
Keeping our seating the same, I rode to the hotel with Leigh, Hayden, and Lip.
Aunt Rachel, Uncle Darin, Grant, and Daphne rode in the other car.
Even at the early hour—we’d gained three hours on our quest west—the city streets were congested and slow.
I stared out of the car window at the giant signs, ones that would be lit up come nighttime.
My thoughts were on stadium operations and the team’s arrival.
According to Tony, the team would only be an hour behind us.
Lip passed his phone to me. On the screen was a short video of all of us deboarding the plane. Hubbards arrive in Las Vegas without Reid Hubbard was on the bottom of the screen.
I shook my head. “I didn’t see reporters.”
He grinned. “This is why it was better for us all to be together.”