Chapter 6
Vee
The air in the sitting room of Dad and Daphne’s home was tense, adding to my growing headache.
“It’s not what Reid would want,” Daphne said, wiping away tears. Her inhibitions were lost about four rum and Diet Cokes ago. “He deserves more.”
Inhaling, I closed my eyes, opening them to Aunt Rachel’s stare.
The sight of my aunt gave me an idea. I turned my attention to Cammy Wilcox, the president of Coopers’ legal division.
Seated next to Cammy was Joseph Eads, Dad’s personal attorney.
To round out the legal advisors, my cousin Leigh was sitting at my side.
“Cammy,” I asked, “this discussion has gone on too long. Who has the legal right to plan the funeral, the co-executors or Daphne?”
Daphne stood and spun toward me, her eyes trying to focus. “I’m right here, Vee.” Her volume rose. “You want to ask me a question, ask me.”
“Oh, I wasn’t aware of your law degree. I’m asking for legal advice.”
Leigh covered my hand with hers as Grant directed Daphne back to her seat.
Cammy was the one to speak. “The executors are primarily in charge of finances. The funeral planning, if not designated in the will, which it seems it wasn’t, is left up to family.”
“Spouse and child,” Leigh said.
“Spouse and then adult children,” Cammy explained. “I’m sorry, Vee.”
“Doesn’t the list go on?” I asked.
Cammy nodded. “Spouse, adult children, parents, and siblings.”
“Aunt Rachel,” I began, “in that listing, you too have a vote. Do you think Dad would want a grand spectacle around his funeral?”
“No.”
Everyone in the room turned to Daphne. “It’s my decision. That’s what Cammy just said. I won’t allow a man like Reid to simply fade away.”
“He won’t,” I said, arguing my case. “We, family and close friends, will have a private funeral and celebration of life. At the next home game, we’ll have a moment of silence.
At the end of the season, we can have a special commemoration and have Dad’s name permanently placed on a banner at Crystal Light Stadium.
It’s all very simple and yet respectful, just like Dad.
” I turned to Daphne. “Dad wasn’t into spectacles.
” My jaw clenched, keeping the rest of my statement from coming out—unlike you.
We all watched—Uncle Darin, Aunt Rachel, Grant, Lip, Leigh, me, and the attorneys—as Daphne pressed her lips together and pushed off with her high heels, twisting her chair one way and the other.
“Private?” Daphne asked. “How private?”
“Invitation only,” I replied. “We don’t need thousands of fans coming to get a last look at Reid Hubbard.”
Aunt Rachel was sitting near Daphne. “I have to agree,” she said. “This is a time for family and close friends.”
New tears came to my stepmother’s eyes. “I don’t understand why Reid didn’t have this all planned.” She turned to Mr. Eads. “Why wasn’t this discussed?”
Joseph Eads pressed his lips together and shrugged. “I tried. Reid wasn’t ready to face his mortality. He was still healthy and young.” He looked around the room. “I brought up the outdated will many times.”
Uncle Darin stood. “He was talking to us about it. He planned on signing a new one after the end of the season.”
“How old is Dad’s will?” I asked.
“Twenty-three years,” Mr. Eads proclaimed. “That is Reid’s last will and testament.” He nodded toward Cammy Wilcox. “The Coopers’ succession had been updated more recently.”
“When?” I asked.
“Within the last ten years,” Ms. Wilcox said.
“We have time to further discuss all of this after the final arrangements are made.” She nodded toward Daphne.
“Mrs. Hubbard, are we all in agreement of a private funeral and celebration of life, a moment of silence and a commemoration of life at the end of the season?”
“Football,” Daphne murmured. “His entire life was monopolized by football. I suppose it makes sense that his death would be too.”
I took that as my cue. Standing, I turned to Ms. Wilcox. “Thank you, Cammy. Once we have the particulars, we’ll inform you and…” I looked at Grant. “The Coopers will communicate to our fans.” I lifted my satchel. “Daphne, we can talk tomorrow. I think we’re all too exhausted tonight.”
She pursed her lips and nodded with a huff.
I spoke to the room. “Nothing is finalized until Daphne and I have a chance to voice our opinions.”
My stepmother’s brown stare came my way. “Thank you for including me.”
“I have a headache. Good night, everyone.”
“Vee,” Leigh called out. “Do you need a ride home?”
“Thanks. I think I need some time alone.”
My cousin got up and followed me to the door. “Will you be?” she asked quietly.
“Alone?”
Leigh nodded.
“No.” I exhaled. “I won’t.”
“Good.” She wrapped her arms around me. “Let me know when you’re home.”
“Vee,” Mr. Eads said, “may I accompany you out to your car?”
“I’m tired.”
“This is important, I promise.”
Nodding, I opened the front door.
Dad and Daphne’s home was located on twenty-five acres northeast of the city.
Stepping outside, I inhaled the humid autumn air.
The earlier rain was gone, leaving its remnants in the form of puddles and saturated air.
A cloud deck hovered over the western horizon, displaying an array of colors—reds, oranges, and purples.
“Vee,” Mr. Eads said, closing the door to the rest of the family. “Again, I’m sorry for your loss.”
“Mr. Eads, what couldn’t wait another day?”
“Did your father ever discuss his will with you?”
I inhaled. “Recently, he told me he was considering changes, including Uncle Darin, Aunt Rachel, Grant, Lip, and Leigh for thirty-nine percent. He said I’d have fifty-one percent, controlling interest.”
Mr. Eads nodded. “That was what was discussed. I even drafted a new will.”
“Did Dad sign the draft?”
He shook his head. “Your father constructed his will around the time he and Daphne married. I was with your father at that time. After your mother, Reid was cautious.”
“Did Dad and Daphne have a prenup?”
“No. That was why he didn’t want to leave his vast estate or the Coopers’ future to chance. In his will he provided for his children, in the case he and Daphne would have more. As you know, you’re his only child. Nevertheless, time changed things, and he was willing to broaden the beneficiaries.”
“But he didn’t…not yet?”
“No, he didn’t.”
“Mr. Eads,” I asked, “what are you trying to tell me?”
“I’m letting you know, Vee, that when the dust settles, it will be clear to everyone that Reid left everything to you.”
I opened my eyes wider. “Everything?” Lifting my chin, I looked over the brick driveway, the fountain, and the expansive manicured lawn. “The house and property?”
Mr. Eads nodded. “Again, after your mother, he was skeptical. Recently, he realized that Daphne wasn’t Olivia. He wanted Daphne to be taken care of and the Marshes to have a stake in the Coopers.”
“What are you suggesting is done?”
“I think you should consider honoring his wishes. I’ll be happy to show you the drafted will.”
“The one Dad didn’t sign?”
“Well, yes.”
“Mr. Eads, first, I’ll put my father to rest. Next, I will do whatever is possible to keep the Coopers the successful franchise my father led. Dealing with his vast estate and desires will have to wait.”
“Daphne?”
“She won’t be evicted. I have no desire to live in this house ever again.”
“As your property, you will be responsible for taxes and maintenance.”
“I’m going to say this in a way that I hope you understand. My father is dead. I do not wish to deal with any of these matters in the immediate future. If you are unable to represent me and my best interests, I’ll seek my own counsel.”
“Vee, I’ve known you since you were a child. Of course I want what’s best for you. I also want what your father would want.”
“If Dad truly wanted his will changed after over twenty years, he would have done it. Good night.” I turned and walked to my car, my heels clipping the brick pavers.
Slamming my car door, I pushed the ignition button. The interior filled with music as I looked down at my phone. My temples throbbed at the long list of missed calls and text messages—Emma from college. I rolled my eyes at Preston’s name. Unwilling to tackle the feat, I tossed my phone into my bag.
My car contained a transponder to open and close the gate at the end of the long driveway. As I approached, I saw the crowd gathered outside the gate. A Fayette County Sheriff’s car was stationed outside. As the gate began to open, a deputy stepped onto the property.
I lowered the music and rolled down my window.
“Ma’am,” the deputy said, stepping closer.
“Thank you for being here. Do we need to contract private security?”
“Our orders are to watch Mr. Hubbard’s home until after the funeral.”
“Thank you,” I said again. “Do you know if the stadium, football center, or my condominium are being watched?”
The crowd beyond the gate was yelling questions.
“Those properties are within Lexington proper. They would be monitored by the Lexington Police Department.”
“I’ll find out,” I said. “Thank you. More people will be leaving shortly.”
He tipped his hat. “Sorry for your loss, ma’am.”
Nodding, I closed my window. The deputy stepped outside the gate, pushing the people away, and giving me a clear road to escape. I quickly called Uncle Darin and asked him to warn the others about the crowd of reporters.
About ten minutes from home, my phone rang. Fin’s name was on the dashboard screen. Hitting the green icon, I spoke, “I’m almost home.”
“Vee, I think you should come to my place.”
“I want to be home.”
“I’m at the Vine. You don’t want to be here. I can’t fathom a way of getting you from the garage to your condo. As you know, the first floor is public and right now, every reporter present wants to get an exclusive from you.”
“Shit.” Tears prickled the back of my eyes.
“I’m sorry.”
It shouldn’t hit me as hard as it did, yet the air seemed to vanish from my lungs, and my hands began to tremble. “I just want…” There were so many things I wanted. “You’re there?”
“I’m in my car now.”
“If I can’t go home, I need things. I can’t show up tomorrow in the same clothes.
I’ll call the concierge and get you a keycard that opens my apartment.
Call when you’re outside and I’ll give you the security code.
Please bring me clothes for tonight and tomorrow.
Throw cosmetics into a bag, there’s one under the bathroom sink. I’ll make whatever you bring work.”
“I’ll do it.”
“Oh, and Fin?”
“Yes?”
“Send me your address.”