Chapter 4
Vee
Present time
“What was really going on in the hallway with you and Preston when Hayden and I got here?” My cousin widened her green stare and lifted her barely visible eyebrows—the ones that matched her light blond hair. “You haven’t talked to him since we arrived.”
Leigh and I were standing in a corner with a large screen to my back.
The national anthem rang throughout the suite.
Not answering her question, I turned to the screen.
The singer was a local artist who Preston and I heard singing at a wine festival last autumn.
She had the perfect voice for our fans. I followed up.
She was elated. I also know she was nervous.
I held my breath as she elongated the word free, her voice going up an octave or two.
And next came the word brave. The entire stadium erupted in applause. “Great pitch.”
“Yeah, she’s great.”
I scanned the room before turning back to my cousin who wore an expectant expression. “I’m not ready for these weekly family gatherings.”
Leigh looked at Daphne, now hanging on my father’s shoulder. “You know, I’m surprised they’re still married.”
A laugh bubbled from my lips. “I was thinking the same thing.” My smile dimmed as I shook my head, my thoughts going back to Preston’s and my discussion before entering.
“It’s nothing. I’m just…” As I tried to formulate an answer, my gaze went behind Leigh to Preston’s profile.
He was undoubtedly handsome, and when it came to conversations, he was a master captivator.
It was probably his family’s old money. There was an innate confidence in him.
As he spoke, people hung on his every word.
“Look at him,” I whispered. “He doesn’t need me at his side. He can work the entire room.”
“Oh, I know what’s happening.”
It was my turn to lift my brows; however, mine were dark like my long hair and more visible. “What do you think is happening?”
“You’re at that two-year itch.”
“What two-year itch?” I asked.
Leigh pressed her lips together and brought her finger to her chin. “Let’s do a rundown. How long did you and Kelcee last?”
An uncomfortable warmth caused my temperature to rise. “I don’t remember. Besides, he wanted to move to LA. He got that offer from the Rams.”
“He asked you to move with him.”
“And leave Lexington?” I asked aghast. “Leave the Coopers and all our family fun?”
“As I recall, he offered a long-distance relationship, and you said no.”
“Those don’t work.”
“All right,” she said, “how about Josh? He was fun.”
“Too fun.” I pursed my lips. “With too many women.”
“Yeah, Josh doesn’t count. I wanted you to break up with him sooner than you did. Oh, what about Noah?”
Noah was fun to be around until he wasn’t. I shook my head. “Your point?”
“My point is you and Preston have been together for about two years, and that’s your breaking point. You find a reason to break things off.”
Nibbling my lip, I looked again at Preston. His head was back in a dramatic laugh. “He asked me to move in with him.”
“Oh my God,” Leigh said overdramatically as she clenched her hands over her chest. “He obviously doesn’t know you. I’m surprised you didn’t break it off right then. I can’t believe you brought him to the game.”
“Are you saying I have commitment issues?”
“Girlfriend, you are the poster child for commitment issues.”
Before I could give that more thought, the suite erupted in cheers and applause.
Leigh and I took a step back, turning to the large screen.
Touchdown Coopers scrolled across the screen.
“Holy shit,” Uncle Darin screamed. “Anyone who didn’t see that pass, watch the replay.”
“Number seventeen?” Leigh asked as the camera showed the formation from behind. “Graham.” She was talking about the quarterback. Another camera zoomed in on his face.
I sucked in a breath at Fin’s blue stare.
His concentration was intense as he called the play.
His deep voice echoed in the large stadium.
The ball was snapped at the Dolphins’ twenty-yard line.
Despite knowing the outcome, my heart fluttered with the palpitations that accompanied watching our team.
Fin received the ball. He stepped back, his eyes scanning the field as the Coopers dispersed into formation. Back and forth he danced, his footwork only improved from our days at Kentucky. A Dolphins defender came close. Fin didn’t flinch as our offensive player pushed him back.
Fin’s arm went back. He released the ball; it spiraled through the air over the heads of the Dolphin defense.
Tight end JD Downing picked the ball from the air near the Coopers’ thirty-yard line and tucked it safely against his body.
It seemed as though none of the defenders anticipated that long of a pass.
JD was all by himself as he sprinted into the end zone.
“Well, shit,” I mumbled.
“Shit?” Leigh asked as she jumped up and down. “That was fantastic. Who the hell is Graham?”
“If he keeps this up, he’ll be our number-one backup quarterback,” Lip said, coming to where Leigh and I were standing. He nudged me with his elbow. “Damn, just like when he played for Kentucky, right, Vee?”
“Someone tell me who this guy is,” Leigh asked again.
To my surprise the voice at my side was Preston’s. “Griffin Graham.” His arm encircled my waist, pulling me toward him. “Who I just learned is an old beau of Vee’s.”
Craning my neck, our eyes met. “He’s not—”
“Griffin…” I turned back. My cousin had that faraway look. Then her eyes met mine. “Shit. Fin?”
I straightened my neck and shoulders. “Yeah, it’s Fin. We haven’t spoken in nearly fifteen years. Nevertheless, my opinion is that he’s too old. One good hit and he’d be out for the season.”
“Vee,” my father said, coming closer with a smile on his face. “Did you watch that amazing pass? Royce was right about Fin and JD. I could watch that replay for hours.”
I obviously had my work cut out for me to convince the men in this suite that Griffin Graham was not a good fit for the Lexington Coopers. “He’s probably icing his arm as we speak.”
Preston’s warm breath tickled my neck as he leaned closer. “You never told me about him.”
I spun out of his grasp and met his stare. “There’s nothing to tell.” My teeth were clenched together. “We went to college together for one year. I honestly haven’t thought about him for a decade.”
Before Preston could respond, I turned away, walking to the bar.
It was silly for me to be defensive about Fin.
I hadn’t thought about him recently. Ten years would be a stretch.
Reading the weekly stats, his name jumped from the page.
I didn’t want to follow his career, but I had.
After he played his rookie contract for Atlanta, one season for the Buccaneers, and six years at Green Bay, he went to LA and his name disappeared.
I assumed he was in retirement. The last thing I expected was to see him in a Coopers uniform.
Exhaling, I appreciated that no one followed me. The barstools were empty. I scanned the room for Daphne. She and Aunt Rachel were sitting at the counter beyond the glass doors, watching the game live.
“Miss Maeve, another Diet Coke?” Brent asked.
“I’m ready for that cosmo.”
A smile and a nod, and Brent went to prepare my drink.
My gaze went up to the screen. It was near the end of the first quarter.
The Coopers were up, seven to three. As I started to think about our defense, I lifted the glass to my lips.
Leigh appeared back at my side. Taking the barstool to my side, she lowered her voice.
“Did you know about Fin? Is that why you’re having second thoughts about Preston? ”
My lips puckered as I swallowed. “I didn’t have any idea about Fin until we arrived.
” I remembered what Uncle Darin said. “And according to Royce, he’s been on the roster for an entire week.
” An insincere smile curled my lips. “It’s not like the people in football operations make a point in keeping me informed. ”
“If you told Uncle Reid that you didn’t think Fin was a good hire, do you think he’d listen?”
“Maybe if I knew before today. After that throw and touchdown…” I shook my head. “Besides, breaking my heart doesn’t dispute the fact that the man has talent.” I took another drink, my mind replaying memories I thought were dead and buried. “I hope he’s icing his arm.”
“How old is he?”
“Thirty-six,” I answered without hesitation.
“Maybe if you tell Uncle Reid what happened between the two of you…” She looked hopeful.
I inhaled. “It was a long time ago. My damaged ego shouldn’t stop his career.” I twisted my shoulders as the cosmo’s vodka surged through my bloodstream. “Besides, Royce said he’s looking at him for third string. Not exactly the illustrious career Fin intended.”
“Lip just said second string.” She looked up and pressed her palms together as if in prayer. “Not that I want anything to happen to Troy Dennison, but second string is only an injury away from first string.”
“Troy Dennison is more than a decade younger than Fin. My money is on Troy.”