Chapter 34
Vee
Out of habit, I looked down at my watch as the football was set on our thirty-five-yard line.
A smile curled my lips as we were seconds away from one o’clock.
The Coopers’ kickoff special team took the field.
The whistle blew and Holt charged forward.
The kick was high and long; our team charged down the field.
The Cardinals’ player signaled for a fair catch at their nineteen-yard line.
The mixture of excitement and pride flooded my circulation.
The game was on. Our defense was up first.
With each game that I stood on the sidelines, my love for the game and dedication to the Coopers grew. While my play call notes were in my grasp, the calls coming from my earpiece were making more and more sense. Coach Brown’s abbreviated call went out to Joshua Morris, our safety.
I grimaced as the Cardinals’ quarterback connected downfield with their wide receiver. “He was wide open,” I muttered under my breath as I scribbled notes on my list of things to discuss tomorrow with Drew and Darius Brown, the defensive coordinator.
“Come on, defense.” My words weren’t audible. I wasn’t micromanaging. Along with seventy thousand spectators in Crystal Light Stadium, I was also a fan.
Zero to three.
Despite the opening drive pass, our defense held the Cardinals to a field goal.
It was time for our offense to take the field.
For the first time since the University of Kentucky’s football season, I could admit, at least to myself, that I was in a relationship with Griffin Graham.
That personal attachment couldn’t be turned off at game time.
Allowing Fin a place in my heart meant that there was even more than the Coopers and the Coopers’ season at stake.
The man I loved was out there, facing, as Fin would say, big men who wanted to knock him down.
The Coopers had the football on our twelve-yard line—not a great field position. The snap was good. Fin stepped back, reading his progressions. Jamir Bennett went wide left. Patel and Downing ran long routes.
My nerves were stretched taut as the O line gave Fin time.
His arm went back. The ball spiraled through the air, down the field. JD Downing turned as the ball arrived. It was a catch—a perfectly timed play. The decibels within Crystal Light Stadium were deafening as JD ran into the end zone.
“Yes,” I scream audibly.
One play, an eighty-eight-yard touchdown.
The offense received cheers from their teammates.
Fin and JD embraced, patting one another’s shoulder pads.
I turned back to the field, fighting my desire to keep my eyes on one man.
By the third quarter, the Coopers were up by two touchdowns.
With three minutes left in the third quarter, Drew sent Cody Simpson into the game.
I exhaled. Fin was on the bench where the big guys couldn’t get to him.
Drew’s calls were conservative. The defense was reading the room, stopping our backs and closing the gaps. With fourth and inches, Tilson sent in the punting squad.
A glance down the sidelines and I saw Fin take a seat next to Cody.
Less than one minute remained in the third when the Cardinals’ quarterback threw a Hail Mary pass. The spectators took a collective gasp as the Cardinals’ wide receiver caught the ball and ran into the end zone. Their extra point kick was good.
Our lead had been cut in half.
Our offense headed out to the field for the beginning of the final quarter. Simpson was benched. Fin was back out.
I was relieved and worried at the same time.
On the eighth play of the drive, the Coopers were on the Cardinals’ six-yard line, second down and goal. The Coopers had kept the offense going with short completions using seven minutes of the clock.
Their defense stopped us cold on the second and third down.
The offense lined up for fourth down. Fin shouted the play. The play clock was ticking.
Four.
Three.
Two.
One.
Whistles blew.
Play clock violation was a five-yard penalty.
Drew called for the field-goal team.
From the way Fin walked off the field, I knew he was upset. He wanted the touchdown. He’d gotten the penalty on purpose. Five yards gave Holt a better field position for his kick.
The field goal was good.
Our lead was back to ten points.
The Cardinals took the field with eight minutes to go in the game. Methodically, they moved the ball toward our end zone. Time was on our side.
Our defense was on fire.
On second down, Tyler Wood, our defensive end, broke past the offensive tackle, sacking the Cardinals’ quarterback. It was a loss of nine yards. The Cardinals were now on third down and nineteen. The quarterback faked a handoff to his fullback and threw long.
Malik Johnson was covering their wide receiver. Malik turned.
An interception.
Malik was still on his feet.
“Run,” I yelled.
He made it all the way to the Cardinals’ thirty-two-yard line. I remembered him telling me to watch the defense, saying they were the real heroes. Malik was right. He was definitely one of today’s heroes.
Five minutes to go and we were in field-goal range.
I held my breath, waiting to see which quarterback would be called. My lips curled as Fin ran onto the field. The first two calls were handoffs. We were at third and inches. Fin’s handoff was a fake to Treshawn Morgan. As Dijon Ortiz pushed Fin from behind, Fin rushed.
First down.
The crowd screamed.
“Fin. Fin. Fin.” A chant erupted. The crowd was deafening.
We ended with a punt after using three minutes on the clock.
Time-out for the two-minute warning.
The Cardinals needed two scores to win or tie.
They went for it on fourth down and goal. Everyone held their breath, waiting for the referee.
Denied.
The Coopers had the ball with forty seconds left on the clock.
A sea of amber began to file out of Crystal Light Stadium.
We won.
“Great game,” I said to the players and coaches as they headed into the locker room.
“Malik,” I called. He turned my way. “You’re right. You’re a hero.”
His smile grew. “Thanks, Ms. Maeve.”
A smile I appreciated even more met me. “Good game, Mr. Graham.”
Fin passed by closer and said in a deep whisper. “I want to kiss you right here.”
Warmth filled my cheeks. “Later.”
Once the team was off the field, I made my way up to the family suite. Everyone was still inside when I arrived. Scanning the suite, my attention went to Dad, Uncle Darin, and Grant beyond the glass.
“Vee,” Lip called as I entered. “Damn, great game.”
“Is there something going on?” I asked, tipping my head toward the three men standing behind the glass.
Lip shrugged. Before we could say more, Royce Beasley turned, seeing me. His smile grew as he arched a bushy eyebrow. “I’ll take that apology now.”
“Apology?”
“Griffin Graham.”
“I never said you were wrong about him. I just didn’t think an old man like him had it in him.” I nodded. “I stand corrected on all counts.” Fin definitely had it in him. I wasn’t going to share that. “Troy is looking good. He’ll start practicing this week.”
As our conversation moved on to Troy Dennison, Dad appeared at my side, carrying a pink drink.
I narrowed my gaze. “You going to froufrou drinks now, Dad?”
He passed the glass to me. “It’s for you, my daughter and the heart of the Coopers.”
I took the glass, holding it by the stem. “Thanks, Dad.” I took a sip of the cosmo. “I’d say there are many important parts to the Coopers. I’m happy to be one.”
Uncle Darin and Grant were still in a private discussion out beyond the glass separator.
“Is there something…?” I started to ask when Leigh joined the conversation.
“Hey,” she said. “Hayden and I were waiting for you to get here.” She pulled me aside and lowered her voice. “I know you can’t say, especially here, but…?”
I felt the warmth creep up my neck and into my cheeks. I gave her a closed-lip grin. “Things are good.”
“I need details.”
My gaze scanned the suite. “I’m nervous to tell these people.”
“It can’t affect his contract, can it?”
I shook my head. “We’ve both studied the Coopers’ human resources website. Fin talked to his agent. Jackson Blanch wasn’t thrilled about it, but he confirmed it won’t affect Fin’s contract.”
“So, Fin’s agent knows and you haven’t told Uncle Reid?”
“I will.” I shook my head. “Not here.”
Leigh squeezed my arm. “I’d say I feel sorry for you, but I don’t. You look too happy to feel sorry for.”
Dad tapped me on the shoulder. “Daphne and I are flying to Vegas next Friday for Sunday’s game. Let me know if you plan to go.”
“I do,” I replied without reservation.
Dad smiled. “Vee, I love your enthusiasm.” I looked at my cousin and back to my father. “Hey, can you and I talk in the morning before the executive meeting?”
“Sure,” Dad said. “I should be in the office by eight thirty.”
“Thanks.”
Leigh whispered after Dad walked away. “Let me know how that goes.”
Inhaling, I nodded. “I will.”