Chapter 18
Vee
Isat across the table from Aunt Rachel in her office. We both had our lunches in front of us. It seemed that with our various schedules, lunch was the only time we could talk, just the two of us.
“The pregame party sounds like it’s coming along,” she said between bites of her salad.
My salad was filled with raspberries, almonds, tofu, tomatoes, and blue cheese. “Everything is set. Jen ran point on it and has done a fantastic job.”
Aunt Rachel smiled. “She’s the one, isn’t she?”
“To take over my position when the time comes?” I nodded.
“She is. Over the last few months, I’ve been evaluating my directors.
They’re the best of the best. VP of stadium operations requires understanding of not one, but all of what each director and their team do.
None of them need to look at the big picture, which is the way it should be.
They each need to concentrate on their department.
Jen’s been with me for years. She sees the forest, not just the trees. ”
“But she knows the trees?”
I laughed. “She knows every leaf.”
Aunt Rachel sighed. “Vee, I think you have your answer.”
I laid down my fork. “Oh, please don’t tell me you want to retire at the end of the season.”
“No. I want to help you. If you ask me, next year you should stay in stadium operations, just like Reid was in stadium operations and take on more of a presidential role. I’ll still be CEO, but the role that currently is lacking is president of operations, stadium, and football. It should be you.”
“Have you mentioned this to Uncle Darin?”
Aunt Rachel lifted a brow. “Vee, you’re the owner of the Coopers.
We aren’t going to entertain the possibility of Bre’s child until there’s proof.
You hired me as CEO. Darin is a member of the executive board and VP of football operations.
We don’t need his permission. I know we tabled this discussion this morning, but I think we should move on with Quinten Ledger for general manager.
Royce has put off his announcement, but if Quinten learns of Royce’s departure and we haven’t discussed the position with him, he’ll start looking elsewhere. ”
Leaning back, I sighed. “I read Uncle Darin’s list of possible outside candidates. I’m not in favor of David Smith from LA.”
“Any particular reason?”
LA was shit to Fin. I couldn’t say that. “They had a bad season. And they can’t blame it on injuries. That means he didn’t do his job. Either he can’t find talent or doesn’t know how to fill a roster with the right players.”
“They had a salary-cap issue.”
“They went 5–12. Second worst record in the NFL.”
She nodded. “Phil Patton from Tennessee and Leonard Ingram from Atlanta.”
“Why didn’t he list Thad Frances?”
“He’s not available. The Colts are sticking with him. They have faith that injuries were what hurt them, not his decisions.”
“I can see that. Dad stuck with Royce this whole time, and we had some not-so-good seasons.”
“Quinten?” she asked.
“Get Uncle Darin and Grant’s schedule synced with ours. We should all be present to talk to him this week.”
Aunt Rachel smiled. “I agree.”
One thought of Dad created a hundred. “Aunt Rachel, have you seen Bre lately?” I asked. “She has to be what…four months along?”
She nodded. “I saw her last week after we secured the first seed.”
“And…does she look pregnant?”
“Bre has always been slender. She was wearing a long sweater and honestly, if she hadn’t told me, I wouldn’t have known.”
“Is there any chance she could be lying? Or maybe she lost it.” I inhaled. “That sounds horrible. I don’t wish that. It’s that Grant told me that Dad had a vasectomy. If that’s the case and Bre is pregnant, it can’t be Dad’s.”
Aunt Rachel’s eyes were as wide as saucers. “Grant told you? How would he know?”
Oh shit.
“I believe he said Daphne told him.”
“I didn’t know Reid had that procedure.” Aunt Rachel shrugged. “I mean it’s not uncommon.” She laughed. “It wasn’t like when we teased him about what it took to freeze sperm.”
“Dad froze sperm?” It reminded me of the thoroughbred at Meadow Farms. Preston said it would be all right if they had to put down the horse because they had plenty of frozen sperm.
She tapped her chin. “Gosh, it was years ago. You’re thirty-four. It was probably at least thirty years ago.”
“So you’re telling me I have thousands of potential brothers or sisters on ice?”
Aunt Rachel laughed. “I haven’t thought about that in years.
It was after Olivia and before Daphne. Your grandfather was actually the reason.
Dad wanted Reid to carry on the Hubbard name.
Reid wasn’t in the market for another wife.
” She shook her head. “I think he did it to shut our father up on the subject. Obviously, Vee, he was happy with his one daughter.”
“Who else knew about the frozen sperm?”
She shrugged. “Darin did. I’d assume Daphne.”
“They were married. Why would she need artificial insemination? And how long is it good for?”
“Goodness, this conversation has taken a strange turn from the Coopers to this.” Her eyes opened wide. “Speaking of Daphne, did you know that detective, Olson or Oldson…?”
“Oldson.”
“He questioned Daphne last week about the night before and morning of Reid’s accident, the morning after we returned from Houston.”
“I heard.”
Aunt Rachel shook her head. “I don’t know what to think.”
I leaned forward and spoke softly. “Do you think Daphne is capable of…of Dad’s death?”
“No,” she answered quickly. “Then again, I don’t believe Bre is either. I believe that what occurred was what they originally called it—an accident.”
I thought of something. “I forgot to mention something during our meeting this morning. I invited Fin’s parents to the family suite for Saturday’s game.”
“Will you be in the suite?”
“No. I’ll be on the sidelines. I’ve spoken to Lip and Leigh; they promised to welcome Theo and Lisa Graham.”
“Of course, we all will. That game in Green Bay was something else.”
“It was electric.” I took a last bite of my salad, spearing a raspberry. “After our game on Saturday, the Vikings take on the Seahawks.”
“I don’t want to see any first seed go down, but if one does, it won’t be the Coopers.”
“Are you and Uncle Darin going to be at the pregame party Friday night?” I asked.
“Are you?”
I nodded. “I’ll be there, stag.” A giggle bubbled from my lips. “Don threatened to bench any player who was seen there. This morning over coffee, Coach told me how surprised he was that the Bills beat the Jags. He said all his research was concentrated on the Jags. He’s starting from scratch.”
“I have faith in our coaches.”
“I do too.” I looked down at my phone. “I need to be going. More meetings with my directors this afternoon.” There was a text message from Jen.
“Does Jen accompany you on those?”
Standing, I shook my head. “She should.”
“She should.”
I placed my food container in the trash can and gathered my things. “I enjoy our lunches.”
“I do too,” Aunt Rachel said.
Walking away, I read Jen’s message.
“THERE IS A DET. OLDSON HERE TO SEE YOU.”
What the fuck?