Chapter 51
Vee
Iheld Fin’s hand as we walked up the ramp to the presentation stage. We weren’t alone. My entire family was with us, Coach Tilson, Coach Pratt, Coach Brown, and the entire roster of players. Jubilation was in the air.
Fin released my hand with a wink. He and all our players wore Super Bowl Championship t-shirts over their jerseys and Coopers Championship hats. I grabbed Aunt Rachel’s hand, and she and I made our way to the front of the stage.
On the podium was the beautiful, coveted trophy—the Vince Lombardi Trophy, complete with the NFL shield and Super Bowl LXI. After the presentation, The Lexington Coopers would be added.
The ESPN football analyst and former Super Bowl player held the microphone.
“Ladies and gentlemen,” came from the loudspeakers. “Direct your attention to the field for the presentation of the Vince Lombardi Trophy.”
A second wave of confetti rained down on us. The pieces were both amber and white and shaped like the trophy.
“What an amazing game and season for the Lexington Coopers,” Bradshaw said. “To present the Vince Lombardi Trophy this evening is our NFL Commissioner.”
Cheers
Bradshaw held the microphone as the commissioner lifted the trophy and spoke.
“Maeve Hubbard.” He pressed his lips together. “What a season.”
I nodded.
“You must be incredibly proud of your team.”
“I am,” I replied.
“It is an honor and a pleasure to award you, your family” —they were all standing behind Aunt Rachel and me— “and the Lexington Coopers the Super Bowl sixty-one Vince Lombardi Trophy for the first time in franchise history.”
He handed me the silver trophy.
It was heavier than I expected. After kissing the silver football, I lifted it over my head. Cheering came from everyone on stage and everywhere in SoFi Stadium.
The microphone was in front of me. “Thank you. It is an honor to accept this trophy on behalf of the Hubbards and Marshes, our incredible coaches, our amazing players, everyone in the Coopers organization.” I lifted it again and spoke louder.
“Lexington and our fantastic Coopers’ fans, this is for you. ”
Cheers.
I looked upward. “Dad, we did it.”
Tears streamed down my cheeks.
“The Coopers had a magical season,” Bradshaw said. “Perhaps some heavenly intervention?”
My smile was back. “I believe my father is watching. I also know that it was hard work and determination at every level of the Coopers organization that got us to where we are today.”
“Speaking of hard work, where is Don Tilson?” Bradshaw asked.
Don came forward. He’d quickly changed his clothes and was wearing the championship shirt and hat. His eyes were moist as I handed him the trophy.
“What can you say about your team, Coach Tilson?”
He lifted the trophy high. “They are the best.”
Cheers.
After Coach Tilson, Troy Dennison was called up to the front. As he came forward, he hugged me and I hugged him back.
“We knew you could do this,” I said in his ear.
“Thank you for believing in me.”
“Troy,” Bradshaw said, “this was a tight game right down until the end. Did you ever doubt the outcome?”
Troy’s smile was radiant as he lifted the trophy.
Cheers.
“I’d say no,” Troy said, “but a wise man told me to be confident, not overconfident. I had complete faith in our team. We’ve worked through a lot this year. Each challenge made us stronger.” He lifted the trophy again. “This is for you, Mr. Hubbard.” He turned. “And for you, Ms. Maeve.”
I blew him a kiss.
“Troy, you’re the Super Bowl MVP. How does it feel to be the youngest Super Bowl quarterback and MVP?” Bradshaw smiled. “You beat Mahomes by 136 days.”
“It feels like I want to do this again.”
Cheers.
“Now, the question you were waiting for,” Bradshaw said. “You just won the Super Bowl. Where are you going next?”
“Disney World.” Troy looked all around. “You’re all invited.”
Cheers.
Malik Johnson was the next person to lift the Lombardi Trophy and say a few words.
Back at the hotel, we had a large ballroom reserved for the after-party.
Aunt Rachel and I decided that our season deserved celebration no matter what the outcome of tonight’s game.
Players, coaches, family, and special guests were all in attendance.
Those special guests included Ashley, Zane, and Lisa and Theo Graham.
It was well after midnight when Fin and I made our exit.
Hand in hand, we walked to the elevator.
Fin hit the button for the sixteenth floor.
My smile quirked. “Are you walking me to my door?”
“No.” He leaned down and kissed me. “I’m stalking you until you give me a proper answer.”
“I better ask Virginia to sleep in her own room tonight.”
“She can have mine,” he said with a sexy grin. “I don’t plan on using it.”
Inside my hotel suite, I kicked off my shoes and wiggled my toes. “I may never wear high heels again.”
Fin laughed.
Walking to him with my shoes gone, I stared at his wide chest wearing the championship shirt and moved my gaze up. His cobalt eyes shone. I lifted my arms to his shoulders. “You scored, Fin. You scored in the Super Bowl.”
Fin nodded. “I did. But that’s not the biggest score of the night.”
“It’s not?”
“No.” He again fell to one knee and held my hand.
“If I was prepared, I’d have a ring. I’m not prepared, Vee.
I’m head over heels in love. I’m so fucking proud of you and of the Coopers.
This night was everything I imagined and more.
While standing on that presentation stage tonight was magical, going to sleep every night at your side and waking every morning with your warm, soft, sexy body beside me—that’s the real magic. It’s the magic I never want to end.”
My vision blurred.
Through the tears I saw the first man I loved.
The first man I trusted. He broke my heart, but I broke his too.
It was like this season. The Coopers overcame injuries and tragedies.
My family made it through the fire of secrets and deceptions and came out unified.
Fin Graham was always my forever. I just never thought it would happen.
I fell to my knees and palmed his cheeks.
“Yes, Fin. I want to be your wife. I want to fall asleep and wake beside you. I want to grow old with you.”
We sealed our deal with a kiss.
The next morning, Fin went back to his room and met up with the team for the plane ride back to Lexington. I met up with my family and boarded the Gulfstream. Leigh sat at my side at the table in the aft as others made their way onboard.
“Did he really propose on the field?” she asked.
My cheeks rose as I nodded. “He did. He did a better job in my suite last night.”
She wiggled her eyebrows. “Any details to share?”
Warmth climbed from my neck to my cheeks as I recalled our consummation of his proposal. Our slow and adoring lovemaking. His sandalwood scent, the warmth of his touch, the taste of his lips and skin, and the sounds that echoed throughout the suite—sounds that have been uttered for centuries.
“I love him,” I said. “I always have. It wasn’t fair to the other men I dated. No one could ever measure up.”
“Sometimes we need to taste grocery-store champagne to appreciate Dom Pérignon.”
“I’m not sad we missed those years together. I just don’t want to miss any more.”
Leigh gave me a grin. “My girl is happy.”
“I am. Sometimes I feel like I shouldn’t be, but I am. I think Dad would approve.”
Voices filled the plane as others joined us. Hayden, Lip, and Chris squeezed into the other side of the table and stared in our direction. It was Lip who spoke. “There’s a crazy viral picture on the social webs.”
Lifting an eyebrow, I said, “There is?”
“Fin on his knee last night.” His eyes widened. “Did Fin propose to you on the field.” He looked at my hand. “I don’t see a ring.” He opened his eyes even wider. “Did you say no?”
Leigh and I laughed.
“Yes. He doesn’t have a ring yet,” I said, “but he proposed and I said yes.”
Lip screamed. “Girl, I told you we weren’t getting any younger, but damn…”
“It’s always been him.”
Once we were in the air, I went to Grant. “Hey, there are a few things I’ve been thinking about.”
He lifted his eyebrows.
“Was there a diamond ring in Bre’s desk when you cleaned out her belongings?”
“There was. It was in a Tiffany’s box.”
“Did you turn it over to the police?”
“Yeah,” he said.
“Do you think Dad gave that to her?”
Daphne was the one to answer. “Reid didn’t give that crazy bitch a ring.”
A smile came to my lips. “You’re sure?”
“I’m positive. She was delusional. I bet she bought it herself.”
“She is definitely crazy enough,” I said. “I guess we’ll never know.”
“If Reid bought it, it’s in his credit card records,” Daphne said. “I’ll ask Omer from Stephens Security to check into it.”
I looked at the two of them seated side by side. “What happened to Joe?”
“He’s my attorney,” Daphne said. She lowered her voice. “The arrangement I had with your father…” She shrugged. “It worked.” Daphne smiled at Grant. “Maybe it’s time to try monogamy.”
Grant reached over and squeezed her hand.
“Alrighty, then,” I said, shaking my head and turning away.
Bre wasn’t the only crazy person, but who was I to judge?
We’re all consenting adults.
“Susan,” I said, “I know it’s early, but how about a cosmo?”
“Diet Coke and rum, dear,” Daphne called.