Chapter 33
Vee
On my way home, my phone rang. Aunt Rachel’s name was on the dashboard screen. I touched the green icon. “Hi,” I spoke to the car.
“Vee, are you still at Maker’s Mark?”
A look at the clock and the dark sky told me it was past time to leave. “I’m driving home. Is there something you wanted to talk about?”
I said a small prayer this call wasn’t about the trust. I wanted to relish the sense of contentment that Dad went the extra mile to look out for my interests before the news became a family hot potato.
“I wanted to see you,” she said. “I’m sorry you had to cancel lunch today.”
Shaking my head, I watched the red taillights in front of me. “Very busy day. It started at seven with Don, and now I’m headed home almost twelve hours later.”
“Oh, I know. There are a few things I wanted to follow up about after the meeting this morning, but those can wait. The reason I called was because Darin told me about you contacting Stephens Security.” She paused. “Honey, are you all right? Are you safe?”
“I am all right,” I answered honestly. “I think I’m safe. After the second bouquet with the strange notes, Fin was rather insistent that I contact someone. We decided the security company was better than the police.”
“I agree. Darin told you we received a bouquet of amber-colored roses as well.”
“He did,” I replied. “He also said there wasn’t an attached card.”
“There wasn’t. I thought you should tell Ms. Athens about our bouquet as well. I don’t know what it means, but it could be a clue. We might simply have a flower-loving Coopers’ fan on our hands.”
I thought about the notes: the spotlight heating up, truth coming out, Daddy can’t stop it. “It feels off to me. I feel better that someone is looking into it.”
“Okay, Vee. I wanted you to know I’m concerned; Darin and I both are. Be careful.”
“I will. Thanks for calling.”
“See you tomorrow,” she said.
“Tomorrow.” I tapped the red icon and my speakers filled with ESPN Sports Monday Evening Wrap-Up.
The last time the Texans and Coopers met, the Texans were heavily favored. This time it was the opposite. I wasn’t certain why, but I preferred to be thought of as the underdog. Being the top contender came with an extra layer of pressure.
Don asked if I bet on the games. First, never.
Doing so was strictly prohibited. Gambling on football wasn’t a state or federal offense unless it involved illegal bookmaking or manipulating the sport.
The NFL Constitution and Bylaws strictly forbids owners, coaches, and players from wagering on a game.
It had happened. When it did, the NFL Commissioner handed down massive fines and suspended coaches and players.
He had the authority to force an owner to sell their franchise or forfeit their ownership stake.
One hundred percent.
That was my ownership stake.
I would never risk that.
If I could bet on the Coopers, I would always bet in their favor. Even when I started working with the franchise years ago and the team was working to stay over fifty percent, I would have bet on them to win.
“Because you’re the heart of the team.”
A cold chill sent goose bumps over my skin. I quickly turned my head to the passenger’s seat and back to the road before me. That was Dad’s voice as plain as if he were seated beside me.
I inhaled and exhaled. “Maybe Fin isn’t crazy,” I said to myself aloud. “Maybe I am.”
Hearing his voice was a memory, a good memory. Dad told me more than once that I was like Grandpa, the heart of the Coopers.
I continued to speak out loud. “Thank you, Dad, for making me more than the heart, for securing my ownership. Why didn’t you have Joe create the trust?
” If I was going down this insane discussion with a memory, I might as well jump in with both feet.
“And why did you have the trust created? Does it have to do with Daphne or Bre?” I answered part of my own question.
“No, Trish said you created it six years ago. That was around the time I came to work with you after graduate school. Bre said the two of you have been together for a few years. Was there another woman before Bre?”
I hit the steering wheel with the butt of my hand. “I thought you walked on water. How could you cheat? What kind of deal did you make with Ed Clark? Why did Detective Oldson warn me about dealing with Coletti Companies?”
Blinking away salty tears, I entered the Vine parking garage. Once parked, I took a moment to breathe deeply, filling my lungs with the warm air from the car’s ventilation. As I did, I reminded myself that no matter what other things my father did, he loved and trusted me with the Coopers.
By the time I reached the seventh floor, I chose happiness. I chose to enjoy Fin’s celebration. I flashed my digital keycard from my phone and listened as the lock opened. Pushing the door inward, I was met with the delicious aroma of garlic.
“Welcome home, Ms. Hubbard,” Fin said with a sexy grin.
“And what smells so sensational?” I asked after hanging my coat on the hook. “I detect garlic.”
“Creamy sun-dried tomato pasta.” He lifted the vegetarian cookbook he came home with a few months ago. “It’s one recipe we haven’t tried.”
Going closer, I snuggled against his warm, solid frame. The fireplace was ablaze. Darkness prevailed beyond the windows. Within, a warm glow was embellished by the soft jazz music playing from hidden speakers. Our world was our bubble.
Fin reached for one of two glasses of red wine already poured and breathing on the counter. I took the glass. He picked up the second one and lifted it toward me. “To the official owner of the Lexington Coopers.”
Our glasses clinked.
We each took a sip.
“Have a seat.” He pointed to the tall stool at the island. “I want to give you a rundown of tonight’s activities.”
He was still wearing the same gray pants that he had on at Maker’s Mark. The ones that showcased his firm round ass. The soft sweater was gone. The t-shirt from beneath his sweater was all he wore over his wide shoulders and muscular chest.
“I’m sorry we couldn’t go out to celebrate,” he said. “I’m hoping my alternate plans will let you know how damn proud I am of you.”
Running my finger around the rim of the wine glass, I moved my gaze upward. “What do you have planned?”
He nodded toward the saucepan and large pan filled with water. “You see we have dinner, but first…” He looked down at our glasses. “We have wine.” Opening the refrigerator, he brought out a small charcuterie board with various cheeses, grapes, olives, and crackers. “We have our hors d'oeuvres.”
I reached for a black olive. “Better than any restaurant.”
“You see, Ms. Hubbard, our dining experience will be like no restaurant I’ve ever visited.” He lifted one eyebrow. “I’m not sure they exist.”
I couldn’t stop smiling if I wanted to, which I didn’t. Fin’s enthusiasm was adorable and sexy, a fascinating combination. “What, pray tell, do you have in mind?”
He stirred the sauce and then turned, leaning down with his elbow on the island’s counter. “Do you recall an evening months ago when you came home and soaked in bath salts?”
The night of my accident outside Daphne’s home—part mine. “I remember.”
“Do you recall what our dinner plans entailed?” He furrowed his forehead. “I’ll give you a hint. We weren’t going to be eating at the dining table.”
Warmth crawled from my collar to my cheeks. “I do remember. I ate your delicious lasagna in the bathtub.”
“Tonight, you won’t be dining alone.” He grinned.
“I don’t care if an army comes to that door.
” He pointed. “We will ignore them. Our dinner will go on as planned. And after dinner, I bought a succulent slice of chocolate mousse with strawberries. Just one.” He winked.
“We can share, over there” —he jutted his chin— “on a blanket in front of the fireplace.”
“You are absolutely correct. I’ve never heard of a restaurant that provides dining and bathing at the same time.”
Fin laughed. “We should test it out a few times before we look for investors.”
Investors.
Did Dad get involved with the wrong people?
My smile slipped.
“Vee?”
“Nothing.” I shook my head. “Tonight is about us and celebrating what I feared would be taken from me. Tomorrow I can pick up all my other concerns.”
“Oh, I forgot,” he said.
“What? You have wine, hors d'oeuvres, delicious pasta, a unique dining experience, and dessert by the fire.”
“Naked by the fire,” he clarified with a grin. “But that wasn’t what I forgot. If after all that, we can’t come up with anything else to do, today Coach Pratt brought out some new never-before-seen plays.”
“He did?”
“Maybe we should save those for tomorrow night. Strip-play-calling loses some of the excitement when we start out unclothed.”
Getting up from the stool I walked around the island and wrapped my arms around Fin’s waist. “Thank you.”
I laid my head on his hard chest. The steady beat of his heart calmed my own. As his sandalwood scent filled my senses and his arms wrapped around me, he strengthened our cocoon.
Fin kissed the top of my head. “I love you, Vee. I always thought you would prevail in securing ownership of the Coopers.” He brought his touch to my chin and lifted it until our eyes met. “I didn’t know how scared you were that you could lose it. I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be sorry. I was scared, but at the same time you’ve been with me every step of the way. If I’d spent night after night here alone…” I inhaled. “I don’t want to imagine that.”
“The water is almost ready for the pasta.”
I flashed him a seductive smile. “Then I’ll go get ready for our unique dining experience.”