Chapter 17
Fin
“I think we made a mistake,” Vee said, looking out the passenger side window of my truck. She was gorgeous, dressed in brownish slacks that made her waist look tiny and an amber blouse with flowing sleeves. Her long hair was down, the way I liked it.
“What mistake?”
She turned my way. “I shouldn’t be riding with you to Maker’s Mark. I should have called for a car. The two of us arriving together is only going to fuel the rumors.”
Sunglasses covered her beautiful green eyes as well as the darkening shiner on her right cheek. I also knew that her left shoulder had a purple contusion from the seatbelt, seen this morning as we showered and evidenced by the way she winced when she buckled herself into the truck.
“I have an idea. You can duck down to the floorboard when we pass the reporters.”
“If you’re trying to be funny, it’s not working.”
My lips quirked. “I don’t know, the idea of you on the floor of my truck is sexy as fuck. A blow job is never a bad way to start a day.”
Vee scoffed. “You know, your predilection for oral hasn’t changed in fifteen years.”
“A man knows what he likes. Besides, I haven’t heard you complain.”
“This is a ridiculous conversation.”
I reached over and squeezed her thigh. “You’re right.
You’ll have to deal with serious shit all day.
I’m giving you a few minutes of ridiculousness.
” I let my hand rest over her leg, unwilling to give up touching her any earlier than necessary.
“And the best way to still rumors is to meet them head-on. Rip off the Band-Aid if you will.”
She let out a long breath. “Yesterday, I didn’t deny or confirm when asked. Hell, you’re right. If we admit our relationship and don’t make a big deal about it, the rumors will fade away.”
“That’s our plan?”
She looked at me with an unsure grin. “Yeah, that’s our plan.”
“If you want to talk about serious shit, I’m serious about you hiring personal security.”
Vee pressed her lips together. “I’ll have Jen get me a rental car until mine is fixed.”
“A rental car won’t stop what happened last evening.”
Vee exhaled and laid her head on the seat.
“I don’t plan on going over to Daphne’s anytime soon.
” Her forehead furrowed as she looked up.
“Maybe I should look into security for both of us. While the idea of my father’s widow driving into a ditch doesn’t sadden me too much, Dad would want her to be safe.
We can’t count on the county and city law enforcement to keep up their watches, and we have no idea how long this paparazzi obsession is going to last.” She paused.
“Maker’s Mark and Crystal Light have security.
Uncle Darin said he would increase the number of security officers on duty. ”
“I like that you included yourself. Your dad would want you safe as well as Daphne.”
“It just seems…over the top. My dad was never a flaunt-your-money kind of person.” She shrugged. “Daphne, on the other hand…”
“The few times I met him, he seemed low-key.”
Vee smiled. “He was.”
It was great seeing her be able to talk about her father and be happy. Mourning was a tricky emotion. While I hadn’t lost either of my parents, I had lost grandparents. One day the memories brought smiles and the next day, sadness.
“I learned something,” she said, “years after it happened. My dad had season tickets at University of Kentucky for football for all the years I worked with the team. That would include when you played. I mean he couldn’t be there every weekend, but he was there.”
“He was in the stadium?” You would think that it would be at least whispered in the locker room. “No one ever mentioned that.”
Her smile was back. “He didn’t tell anyone who he was. His seats were in the parent section. He wore a blue Kentucky shirt or sweatshirt and mingled. When he finally told me about it, he said it was fun.”
“Why don’t you think he told you he was going at the time?”
Vee pursed her lips. “Like you said, Dad was low-key. He didn’t want to make me uncomfortable or put me under a spotlight. At the same time, he was being my dad.”
Again, I squeezed her thigh. “Keep remembering those happy memories.”
“I’d rather think about those than that detective and trooper last night. What they were saying doesn’t make sense. We should sue the trucking company, not the other way around.”
“I agree that it’s fucked,” I said. “Talk to the attorney Cammy recommended.”
“Her name is Tricia Loften. Her firm is in Frankfort. I’m calling her this morning.”
“Good.”
Vee sucked in a breath at the sight of news-station vans and people at the gate to Maker’s Mark Football Center. “Shit, they’re still there.”
“My windows are tinted. Just don’t look at them.”
Vee looked down and covered my hand with hers.
Turning mine palm up, our fingers intertwined.
Vee’s grip tightened as I slowed at the gate. Her lower lip disappeared between her teeth as she looked forward and behind. The line to enter Maker’s Mark was growing. There were two cars ahead of us and more lining up behind.
“So many people are going to see us,” she said.
Reporters were yelling questions.
“What did your meeting with the attorneys discover yesterday?” I asked, suddenly aware that we hadn’t talked about it.
“It was Dad’s attorney and Cammy. Basically, I’m the official owner. There’s a lot of paperwork and legal things, but for the purpose of the Coopers, I’m now the sole owner.”
“CEO?” I asked.
“Filling that position is up to me. I can take the reins or hire someone else.”
“Who can fire you?” We were the next vehicle up at the gate.
Vee scoffed. “No one.”
“Then who cares who sees us?” Releasing Vee’s hand, I rolled down my window and spoke to the security officer at the gate. “Griffin Graham.”
The man looked down at his tablet and shouted to the other guard, “Open the gate.” He turned back to my truck. “Have a good day, Mr. Graham and Ms. Hubbard.”
“Shit,” Vee mumbled under her breath after we began moving. “He probably follows social media.”
“Either that, or he simply recognized you. I can drop you off at the door.”
“Thank you.”
“Tonight?” I asked.
“Let me make it through today first.”
“In case your day gets busy, just remember that I love you, Vee Hubbard.”
Her cheeks rose. “I don’t know about tonight. I do know I don’t want to be alone.” She laid her petite hand on my forearm. “I don’t know what I’d have done these last few days without you.”
“Your vibrator would have had a workout.”
She shook her head. “There’s more to life than sex.”
I lifted my eyebrows. “Really?”
Vee snickered. “I love you. Stay safe during practice.”
“I’m more concerned about the locker room.” We came to a stop in front of the main building.
“Good luck.” She grabbed her leather satchel and opened the door. “We’ve got this.” The door slammed shut.
For a moment, I watched Vee’s round ass and her long hair sway as she confidently made her way to the glass doors and disappeared inside. I could handle whatever came my way, and while I wanted to wrap Vee in Bubble Wrap, I had faith that she could manage whatever came her way.
After parking my truck, I grabbed my duffel bag and headed inside toward the locker room. Greetings and nods came from other players. It wasn’t until I was putting on my shoulder pads that Troy, Jamir, and Dijon came to my locker. They were already dressed for practice.
“So?” Troy asked as he took a seat on the bench.
“So,” I replied, “you’re getting reps today.”
“Last I heard, I’m not getting playing time until after the bye. But it’s good to be practicing again.”
JD joined our group. “Talk to us, Fin.”
I stared around at all four sets of eyes. “Okay, what do you want to talk about?”
JD slapped my shoulder pad. “Teammates…yeah, we need to trust one another.” He looked to the other men. “Ain’t that right?”
“Sure is,” Jamir said. “Like, I’m your running back. I need to know I can count on you.”
“Has that been an issue?”
JD lowered his voice. “Just tell us if the rumors are true.” When I didn’t answer, he pulled out his phone. On the screen was the picture of me with the Cincinnati Reds cap. “Was this you on your way up to Ms. Maeve’s place?”
“Yeah, it’s me. Vee and I go way back. She just unexpectedly and tragically lost her father.”
JD whistled. “Oh, it’s Vee not Maeve.”
Troy’s smile broadened. “We were right about a woman.”
“Our Fin,” Dijon said, “didn’t settle for a Coopers groupie. Fuck no, he’s banging the owner’s daughter.”
“Fuck that,” JD said. “The owner.”
I turned, my jaw set and my body ready to lash out. My tenor dropped. I twisted the front of Dijon’s practice jersey with my fist and brought our faces close together. “Never fucking say anything like that about Vee—ever,” I growled. “She’s a lady, not someone who gets banged.”
Dijon leaned away and lifted his hands in surrender. “You’re right, Fin. Sorry.” He looked around. We had the attention of most of the locker room. “Ms. Maeve is cool.”
Heads nodded.
“Listen,” JD said, “be good to her, or we, your teammates, will have to kick your ass.”
I released Dijon’s jersey. “Just so we’re clear. I can kick all your asses.”
The men around me laughed.
My volume rose. “I can and I will.” A smile cracked my angry expression. “As long as you’re all kind enough to take your turn and let this old man rest in between.”
Troy stood and patted my shoulder. “Seriously, Fin. Tell her we believe in her.”
“Graham,” came from a booming voice we all recognized.
“Tilson,” Dijon whispered.
“Over here,” I yelled.
“Get in my office. Everyone else, get your asses out on the practice field. We have a game to win Sunday.”