Chapter 11
Vee
A calm of sorts hung in the air of Dad’s office as Aunt Rachel and I sat at the large conference table eating lunch and discussing her new role.
Maybe we were in the eye of the hurricane.
The turbulent winds blowing in all directions were there, just not here.
As she spoke, my uncertainties regarding the particulars of the CEO position were reaffirmed.
There were many aspects of her position I’d never considered.
Aunt Rachel had a Zoom meeting scheduled with the other NFL owners later this afternoon. She emphasized how important it was to talk to them and reassure them that the Coopers franchise was strong.
“I’ve met most of them in person,” she said.
“It won’t be difficult or uncomfortable to speak to them in an open forum.
” She pierced a piece of grilled chicken from her Caesar salad.
“The most difficult part will be hearing their condolences.” She looked up, lifting her green eyes.
“Some of Reid’s closer friends were disappointed that they didn’t receive an invitation to his funeral. ”
Closing my eyes, I sighed. “Blame me. Blame Daphne.”
“I’m not going to blame you. One day you’ll be in this position. I’ll explain that we were all in shock, and we regret not opening the funeral to others who cared for Reid.”
Pressing my lips together, I nodded. “I honestly didn’t think about the other owners or NFL management.”
“It’s all right, Vee. I’ll patch it over.”
She’ll patch over an omission I created—a problem with the NFL royalty.
“And the commissioner?” I asked.
“We’re speaking Monday afternoon. You’re welcome to join the conversation.”
Leaning back against the leather chair, I sighed.
“Situations like this are where I’m torn.
For the Coopers’ integrity, I believe you should stand strong and independent as CEO.
As the future CEO and current owner, I want to be involved to learn from you.
And then there’s my job as vice president of stadium operations and marketing.
Without Dad’s help, my to-do list is multiplying by the minute.
Thankfully, I have complete faith in my directors and staff. ”
“Do you think you should hire your replacement from the outside, or do you have someone on your staff in mind?”
“Honestly, I’ve been thinking about Jen, my assistant. When you mentioned Millie’s ability to do your job, it made me think. Jen has worked for me for the last six years. She’s grown along with me in this position and learned a lot.”
Aunt Rachel nodded. “Maybe you should consider promoting her to a director level. It’s just a thought. I know your plate is full.”
“My plate is overflowing, but so is yours. I should also reach out to the other owners. After you talk with them, let me know how it goes, and I’ll try to contact each one individually.”
“That would be a good thing,” she said enthusiastically.
“I’m doing a group Zoom. You following up individually will be a nice way to introduce yourself to the other owners.
You do know that, although we’re often underestimated, the NFL has had very successful female ownership going all the way back to Violet Bidwell.
She took over the Chicago Cardinals in 1947 after her husband Charles passed away.
She managed the team until her death in 1962. ”
“The Cardinals is the oldest operated team in the country. Of course, today they play in Arizona.”
“Vee, if you’re willing to take some advice…?”
I nodded.
“You know more than you realize. Growing up immersed in the Coopers has given you knowledge you take for granted. You’ve also shown yourself to the operations side of the franchise and more recently, to the football side.
I was ready to step away from the Coopers.
That said, I’m happy to do this job. I also know that one day it will be yours. ”
Tears sizzled in my eyes. “Thank you. Thank you for stepping up and for believing in me. I don’t feel like your opinion is shared by other members of the executive board.”
Aunt Rachel took a deep breath. “You asked me the other day why my father didn’t leave half the Coopers to me.”
I nodded.
“He didn’t leave me out of Cooper ownership because I am a woman. I knew before the reading of Dad’s will that he changed it, giving the entire franchise to Reid.”
This was news to me.
“Why did Grandpa write you out?”
Her lips pressed together forming a straight line.
“It doesn’t matter any longer. I can tell you that Reid wasn’t happy.
He didn’t gloat or anything like that. Dad’s final wishes prevented any part of the team from going to me.
That was part of Reid’s indecision regarding changing his will.
He did everything to include me and Darin with the Coopers without going against our father’s wishes.
If Reid would have signed the new will that Darin wanted so badly, Reid felt he was disrespecting our father. ”
Another reason Dad didn’t sign the new will.
“Our dad wasn’t perfect by any stretch of the imagination,” Aunt Rachel went on. “He had his flaws and made mistakes. We all do. Deep down, your grandfather was a good and fair man. Life threw him some curves—interceptions, you might say. I was never angry about what he did.”
“But Uncle Darin was.”
While it wasn’t a question, Aunt Rachel nodded. “He felt betrayed.”
“Why did Grandpa cut you out?”
“He didn’t,” she said. “He split his estate evenly between Reid and me. Reid never froze Darin or me out of the franchise. I’m hoping you won’t do that to Grant, Lip, or Leigh.”
“Grant hasn’t been my biggest supporter.”
“I love my son. He shares his father’s drive and ambition. That doesn’t make either one of them wrong. We just need to keep reminding them that you and I are Hubbards, and we’re capable of anything we set our mind to.”
A quick look at the screen of my laptop told me that I had a meeting with stadium operations directors in about fifteen minutes.
“I need to go. Thanks for this time. Let me know how the Zoom with the owners goes and also with the commissioner.” I looked around the large executive office.
Other than a few minor additions, such as pictures of Aunt Rachel with her immediate family and a few plants, it looked the way it did with Dad sitting behind the big desk.
Fighting new tears, I smiled at my aunt. “This was the right decision.”
She nodded. “Enjoy your one Sunday off during the season.”
My lips curled. “Believe it or not, Fin wants to go to Chicago to watch his brother play.”
“Play?”
“Football,” I said, gathering my things and thinking about Fin’s recent text message. “Zane is younger than Fin. He’s the starting center for the Vikings.”
“I didn’t know that. If you’d like, Darin could see if he can arrange tickets in a suite.”
I shook my head. “I think we might do this old school. Sit in the stands like regular people.”
Aunt Rachel’s eyes grew wide. “Soldier Field at the end of October. Goodness, dress warm.”
As I stood, Rachel spoke again. “Before you go, I should tell you. I spoke with Bre Stanton.”
Shit.
I stilled, with my laptop in hand. “Is she out of jail?”
“She is.” Rachel shook her head. “I paid her bond.”
My butt landed back in the chair. “You paid her bond?”
“She didn’t have anyone else, Vee. I haven’t told Darin or Daphne.”
“Dear God, don’t tell Daphne.” I could hear the fireworks already. A Fourth of July finale would pale in comparison.
“As co-executor of Reid’s will, I’m fully aware of what it states. I’m under the impression that Daphne doesn’t. She doesn’t seem at all concerned about being written out.”
The contents of my recently eaten lunch churned in my stomach. “I’ve been working with my new attorney, Tricia Loften, on what to do.”
Aunt Rachel’s head tilted. “You know what it says?”
“Joe Eads told me at Daphne’s house right after Dad’s accident.”
“That wasn’t his place.”
I shrugged. “He alluded to the idea of my accepting the new, unsigned will.”
She inhaled.
“The truth is I don’t want that big estate. Daphne and Dad were married for too long for her to be left with nothing.”
“Ve-ee.” She elongated my name. “Things could change.”
A peek at my watch told me I didn’t have a lot of time. “The will was written and signed. It won’t change.”
“There’s something you should know.”
“What?”
She lowered her voice. “I finally accepted one of Bre’s calls from the jail yesterday afternoon.”
I’d gotten a few of those too, but I hadn’t accepted them. “And?”
“Reid’s will states that one hundred percent of his estate and the Coopers franchise go to his children, including the ownership of the Coopers.”
I nodded. “That’s me.”
“The reason I paid for Bre’s bond was because she shared something with me.”
In my mind, I was back at Dad’s funeral as the police were taking Bre away. I remembered the last thing she said to me. I needed to hear it from someone else. I didn’t want to—I needed to.
“She shared something,” I trepidatiously repeated.
“You asked if I thought there was anything happening between Reid and Bre. I had some suspicions, but I didn’t pry. I mean there were times I wondered what Reid saw in Daphne and why they stayed married.”
While I completely agreed with that statement, I entertained the same thoughts about Aunt Rachel and why she stayed with Uncle Darin.
“Vee,” Aunt Rachel said, her complexion paling, “Bre told me she’s pregnant with Reid’s child.”
I’d given this a lot of thought, although I hadn’t said anything aloud. Maybe I was afraid saying it would make it so.
“If she is,” I said, my mouth going dry, “that baby gets half of everything, including ownership of the Coopers.”
Aunt Rachel nodded. “I wanted you to know.”
“Do you believe her?”
“I don’t know.”