Intercepted (The Coopers #1)

Chapter 1

Vee

The impending unease that came with our upcoming gathering ran through my circulation. It wasn’t a business meeting that we were about to attend, and yet it was. The Hubbard family suite. My nerves were on edge as I took in the crowd. A sea of amber surrounded Crystal Light Stadium.

Energy crackled through the warm air as fans wearing their Coopers gear made their way inside.

While this afternoon was the second game of the preseason for the Lexington Coopers, it was our first home game.

Attending this game became a family tradition long before I, Maeve Hubbard, was born over three decades ago.

To hear my father talk, I was only a tiny baby when I attended my first Coopers game all decked out in Coopers amber.

Not attending this event was impossible.

When I was a child, my paternal grandfather, Carroll Hubbard, owned the Lexington Coopers.

Today, that title went to my father, Reid Hubbard, the official owner and CEO of the NFL team.

Lifting this season’s excitement to a feverish pitch, the oddsmakers had the Coopers named for the AFC championship and a contender in next February’s Super Bowl.

A security guard nodded and opened the door to the private entrance.

Preston, my boyfriend, laid his hand in the small of my back, directing me toward the massive entryway and private elevator, the one that would whisk us up to the suite level.

As we came to a stop before the elevators, I took a step away from Preston’s touch.

In truth, I wasn’t a fan of public displays of affection, especially not at Crystal Light Stadium, where I was so easily recognized.

His deep voice resonated through me as his grin quirked and he whispered, “Don’t be sassy.”

Preston was a handsome man and heir to Kentucky thoroughbred royalty. While my family lived and breathed football, Preston’s family was all about horse racing. My lips curled as I looked up into his shining dark-brown eyes. “If you think that was sassy, you’ve underestimated me.”

“Vee-eee.” He elongated my name as his smile waned. “Time got away from me last night. It’s nothing to hold a grudge about.”

Pressing my lips together, I shook my head.

“Miss Maeve,” Jim, the familiar usher at the elevator, said with a smile, saving me from my conversation. “Your father will be happy to see you made it.”

“I wouldn’t miss this game for the world.” I couldn’t help but return Jim’s infectious grin. He was as much a part of the Coopers’ history as my family. I couldn’t recall a time he wasn’t present. Offering him my hand, I said, “Jim, welcome back. It’s good to see you.”

He took my hand and gave it a firm shake. “It’s sure good to see you, Miss Maeve. Did you know that this is my twenty-ninth season?” he asked, his neck straightening with pride.

“I didn’t. Wow. We need you. It wouldn’t be the same without you.”

“I’m not going anywhere.” His grin grew. “You were just a little thing when I started working here. I sure do miss Mr. Carroll, but it does my heart good to see the Hubbards and Marshes carrying on the tradition.”

The elevator arrived with a ding, barely audible with the growing crowd noise around us. The doors opened and two ushers I didn’t recognize came out.

Jim held the doors open. “Take my station” —he said to the other ushers— “while I take Miss Hubbard and her guest up to the family suite.”

They both nodded their heads. “Miss Hubbard, welcome.”

As I stepped forward, Preston’s hand again went to my back.

Before he made full contact, I met his stare.

Pressing my lips together, I barely shook my head.

I wasn’t upset about last night. It was a surprising relief when he’d spent more time during our friend’s party with the men in the basement bar than upstairs with me. “Stop,” I mouthed.

Preston’s smile evaporated and his jaw clenched as he took a step away.

It was that realization of enjoying his absence that had me reeling.

Once inside the elevator, Jim swiped his credentials over the sensor, commanding the elevator to bypass the other floors and whisk us directly to the top level.

Staring at the shiny doors, I saw my boyfriend’s reflection over my shoulder.

My thoughts went back to Preston’s recent request. A little less than a week ago, he asked me to move in with him.

For a couple in their mid-thirties who’d been dating for over two years, cohabitation was the natural next step.

It wasn’t unusual for one of us to spend the night or weekend at the other’s place.

Yet his invitation didn’t give me joy. Instead, it somehow felt suffocating, the thought causing my skin to feel unnaturally tight.

I’d told him I needed to think about it.

After last night, I wondered if it was space that I sought instead of cohabitation.

If Jim noticed any of Preston’s and my nonverbal battling, he didn’t let on. Instead, he continued his charismatic role. “Six-hundred suite level,” he announced as the elevator came to a stop.

“Thank you, Jim,” Preston and I said in unison.

This was the top level and the location of the two most luxurious suites in the stadium.

About twelve years ago, my father investigated moving the Coopers to another city.

The negotiations were truly a game of three-dimensional chess involving city officials, fans, and the team.

As I recalled, the Lexington fans were overwhelmingly supportive of the team staying put and building a new stadium.

We officially moved into Crystal Light Stadium eight years ago.

In 1978, my grandfather purchased the team, including the old stadium, for $20 million. Compared to today’s standards, that building was outdated and small.

Dad and his brother-in-law, Darin Marsh, spent months touring stadiums and practice facilities around the country.

They saw the best locker rooms, playing fields, spectator seating, medical rooms, and office space.

As the blueprints materialized, it became clear that Dad wanted not only those spaces but also a family suite, not a generic hospitality suite that was available to others for a price.

The result was that whether Crystal Light Stadium, owned by the Coopers, was the venue hosting another NFL team or the sight of a concert, our family had a place we could call home.

And the space was as much our collective family’s as the living room in the twelve-bedroom cabin near Gatlinburg, Tennessee.

Preston leaned near my ear. “It would be nice if Jim would refer to me as Preston or Mr. Clark instead of Miss Maeve’s guest.”

My cheeks rose. “Oh, I’ll be sure to talk to him about that right away.”

Preston and I continued side by side until we arrived at the Hubbard Family Suite. Those words were written on the placard beside the entry. A female usher was stationed outside the door with an iPad in her grasp.

Preston reached for my arm, turning me to him. “Vee, I don’t want your family to think we’re fighting.”

His wide chest was in my line of vision. I stared at the front of his amber polo shirt. A bourbon barrel, the Coopers logo, was embroidered over his left pectoral muscles. My gaze lifted, meeting his narrowed stare. “Are we fighting?”

He lowered his voice, seemingly undeterred by the usher and spoke through clenched teeth. “I don’t know what the fuck this is.” He motioned toward the door. “I know your whole damn clan is either inside there or will be soon.” He widened his eyes. “Is this about my invitation to move in with me?”

Multiple responses went through my mind. I settled on the truth. “I’ve been thinking about it.”

“Then stop.”

“Stop?”

“Maeve, I’m not trying to rush you. I just thought it made sense. I mean we’re usually at my place or yours. If it’s the location, I could just as easily move in with you.”

Move in with me?

Is that what I want?

I took a deep breath and feigned a smile. “Can we maybe not talk about it today?”

Preston nodded.

When we turned, my cousin Leigh and her husband, Hayden, stepped from the same elevator we’d recently exited.

“Oh, hi.” Once they were near, I leaned close and gave Leigh a hug. The two of us were the same age, each other’s best friend, and the closest either of us had to a sister.

“Hi,” she said with a smile as Hayden and Preston shook hands. “What’s the big discussion about?”

“We have a bet,” I said. “I think Daphne won and she’s had the suite refurnished with golden thrones. Preston thinks the thrones are only at their house.”

Leigh quirked her smile. “I call bullshit.”

Shaking my head, I rolled my eyes.

Leigh looped her arm through mine. “Oh, we’re going to need to chat.”

The usher by the door wore a name tag that read Trina. As the four of us approached, she smiled. “I’m sorry. I need your names, please.”

“Maeve Hubbard and Preston Clark,” I replied.

“Hayden and Leigh Quinn,” Hayden said.

Trina reached for the door handle. “Enjoy the game.”

The view as we entered was as awe inspiring as it had always been.

The large space was designed like a living room, including multiple large-screen televisions, a firepit, and of course, the bar and buffet.

Beyond the room, separated by open glass doors, was a long counter with twenty-six tall stools overlooking the end zone.

Farther out and down a few steps were twenty-six reclining chairs that felt as though they were hovering near the end of the playing field.

With today’s summer-like temperatures and blue skies, the retractable roof was open, bathing the field and some of the recliners in sunlight.

“Vee,” my father called. “Grab a drink. Darin and I want to talk with you.”

Leigh looked at me and grimaced. “Good luck with that.”