Chapter 12
Vee
Present time
Tuesday morning flew by as I met with other members of my marketing team.
There were even moments when I forgot that the new hire had tilted the axis of my world.
The fact that most of the players were away from Maker’s Mark Football Center helped.
The few who were present were here to work on injuries.
Thankfully, the players who ended up on the injury report after Sunday’s game weren’t seriously injured.
Our backup running back had an ankle sprain, and two of our defensive players were being treated for shoulder injuries.
With my afternoon clear of meetings and obligations, I told Jen to hold all calls, and I barricaded myself in my office.
Drew’s playbook was open on my small conference table, and I set up a makeshift offense consisting of eleven red checkers.
I’d taped initials to each piece, indicating their position.
It may sound silly, but I was a visual learner.
Once I deciphered a call, I ran it on my table, moving my offense as they were supposed to go.
The receivers ran routes and the running backs ran gaps.
Of course, my crude setup didn’t have a defense ready to tackle or stop them. I was only focused on the offense.
The more I studied, the more the words made sense.
I knew from collaborating with Coach Everington that each team had their own language.
A quarterback couldn’t shout play calls in ways the defense would be able to understand.
It wasn’t like Troy or Fin could yell, “Okay guys, we’re going to run a fake handoff to Dijon, then I’m going to step back, read my open receivers left to right.
Patel, you run an out route, JD, a corner route, Lewis a comeback, Bennett a dig, and Morgan a post.”
If they did that, the defense would have the information they needed for man-to-man coverage, and the play would get shut down.
Instead, each team has substitute words, letters, or numbers.
While the playbook was overwhelming at first, sometime last night in my quiet apartment, I caught on to the redundancy and made a list of terms and their meanings.
It really was like a foreign language.
I was working out a long play.
Explode gun rubber right flip zebra stat left wide drag X hook F-trail can 52 sprint jaw easy on two on two. Ready break.
I was moving my pieces around when my desk phone rang.
The ring set off my nerves and pulled me from the zone I’d been in. “I told her no calls,” I mumbled as I made my way over to the phone. “Jen, I said I didn’t want to be disturbed.”
“I’m sorry, Vee. Mr. Grant Marsh is here. He’s rather insistent that he speak to you.”
My cousin.
Exhaling, I complied. “Let him in.”
“Right away.”
A few seconds later, my door opened, Grant entered and closed the door. When he turned, his expression was difficult to read.
“Aren’t you on the wrong side of the building?” I asked. As vice president of communications, Grant’s offices were more connected to the football operations section of Maker’s Mark Football Center.
“I came to check on you.”
Walking around to the front of my desk, I leaned against it and crossed my arms over my breasts. “A wellness check on your favorite cousin.”
“You’re my only cousin.” He lifted his hand. “I mean, if you’re ready for Drew tomorrow, I’ll leave you alone. I just didn’t want to see my only cousin faltering in front of the team.”
Dropping my arms, I exhaled. “Thank you for your vote of confidence.”
“Vee, you’re great at what you do. I get why Uncle Reid wants you to get your feet wet on the football operations side.
It’s that failing won’t instill confidence in the Coopers’ staff or players.
I’ve been thinking about it. I’ve been working with the Coopers nearly twice as long as you have.
My job is communications. I don’t want a weak link to threaten our brand. ”
My lips pursed as I tilted my head. “Why do I have the feeling I’m about to be mansplained?”
“It’s not mansplaining, other than I’m a man and I want to explain.”
Totally different.
“Great. Explain,” I said.
“You excel here, in stadium operations and marketing. I’ve spent the last eighteen years in communications and broadcasting.
Uncle Reid has had most of his attention on business operations.
Lip is the chief brand officer. We all have our roles.
Together we can convince Uncle Reid that your presence in the football side is a waste of time. ”
“A waste of time? Your mother has announced she wants to retire. That’s why Dad wants me to step up my presence in football operations.”
“Uncle Reid and Dad aren’t going anywhere anytime soon. When that time comes, we divide up the oversight as they’ve done.”
I narrowed my eyes. “Just so I’m clear on what you’re suggesting, you think that once the team is in my control, I should simply trust someone else with the running of football operations without actually knowing the ins and outs.”
“Vee, you won’t be the sole owner. Dad told Lip and me that the team will be broken into three parts.”
My neck straightened. “I believe you’re mistaken. Besides, why would Dad include you and Lip and not Leigh?”
“You’ll need to ask him. I’ll tell Drew and Royce that you won’t be able to make practice tomorrow.”
“No, Grant, you won’t. I will be there, doing what Dad asked of me.”
“Vee, I’m offering this for your own good. The Coopers rely primarily on the Erhardt-Perkins call system. It’s complicated.”
“If you can figure it out, I doubt I’ll have a problem.” My lips curled. “Grant, I’m so grateful for your visit. I’ll be ready tomorrow, don’t worry.”
“It’s your funeral. The respect you’ve earned over the years will disintegrate.”
“Your confidence is flattering.”
“I saw your expression yesterday when Drew told you to be at tomorrow’s practice. You’ve never been good at poker. You went pale.”
I began walking toward the door. “Thanks for stopping by. It’s kind of you to be concerned.” I opened the door. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”
As I began to close the door, I heard multiple deep male voices.
Shit.
A quick peek around the corner and I saw Grant and Fin in Jen’s office. While my cousin was wearing his usual business casual, Fin was wearing very casual attire—a t-shirt and gym shorts. If I was in the mood to smile, I would at the sight of Fin towering over Grant.
I inhaled. “Jen, please ask everyone to leave.”
She looked at me with a pained expression. “I have.”
“Excuse me,” I said louder. When Fin and Grant turned my way, I widened my eyes. “Please continue your conversation elsewhere.” When neither replied, I asked, “Fin, why are you at Maker’s Mark today? Did you need to see the trainers?”
Is he injured?
Do I care beyond the business aspect?
His name wasn’t on the IR.
“I came to speak to you.”
“Came all the way here to speak to me?”
“I did.”
Shit. It would be rude to turn him away. I spoke to Grant. “We’re done. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
“How’s Preston, Vee?” my cousin asked.
“He’s great. I’ll pass on your concern for him.”
As Grant walked through Jen’s open doorway, I waved Fin into my office. Once inside, I closed the door.
Turning, I met Fin’s blue gaze. There was more facial hair on his cheeks than there was yesterday. His hair was damp and a clean scent permeated the air. “Please make this fast. I’m in crunch mode and would like to stay focused.”
“I came to Maker’s today to work out. As you know, you have a great fitness center.”
“And now you’re here…in my office, why?” I asked.
“I’ve been thinking about the test you have tomorrow. I came by to see how you’re doing with your studying.”
I crossed my arms over my breasts. “If you’re here to tell me I can’t possibly succeed, you’re too late. Grant already beat you to it.”
Fin took a step closer, searching my face. “He’s wrong. I didn’t come to say that. I know how fucking intelligent you are. I thought since I’ve had the playbook a week longer, if you had questions…. You can always call Beasley or there’s your cousin.”
“I’d venture to say that they both expect my failure.”
Fin pressed his lips together and shook his head. “Not me.” He pivoted to the door and back. “I’ll go. You didn’t call. I wanted you to know I’m still available for a study session.”