Chapter 32
Fin
I stopped by my apartment on the way to Vee’s to grab my suit for tomorrow.
On my way to Vee’s place, I made a quick stop at the supermarket.
While I craved a thick porterhouse steak, my thoughts went vegetarian.
Vee needed comfort food to get her through tomorrow.
I found a recipe for creamy cashew tomato pasta.
With the ingredients secure, I headed across town.
Ethan told me the main level of the Vine was almost normal. The reporters must have given up. Vee had the support of her neighbors. No one would give a reporter so much as a quote about the Coopers’ heiress.
After hanging my suit in Vee’s closet, I changed my button-down shirt for a Coopers t-shirt, kicked off my loafers, and started my culinary creation.
If the beginning of a game reminded me of my dad, cooking brought back memories of my mom.
She was never into gourmet recipes. Mom was a meat-and-potato or pasta cook, perfect for two growing football players.
I can’t remember her ever measuring an ingredient. “You just know,” she would say.
When I was first signed to Atlanta, I shared an apartment for a brief time. My roommate was a newly signed running back who also enjoyed cooking. I suppose to anyone watching us play the game, they’d be surprised that brawny big men can also cook.
Back then, I’d call Mom for recipes, and she’d say something like, season the chicken and sauté.
If I asked what seasonings, she’d laugh and tell me to use what I liked.
I was working on the sauce for tonight’s dinner when my phone vibrated on the counter.
As if I’d willed her call, my screen read Mom.
“Hey, Mom,” I said, answering.
“Fin, I keep worrying about Vee. Is she okay?”
“The best she can be, considering.”
“You know your dad and I are so happy you two found your way back together. It just seems this is a rough time.”
“Yeah,” I replied. “It is. I’m glad she’s not alone.”
“Did you know she was dating one of the Clarks, you know from Meadow Farms.”
“Mom,” I said with a grin, “are you spreading Bowling Green gossip?”
“No. Um, I wondered if you knew.”
“I did. They’re no longer together if that’s what you’re worried about.”
“I’m not. I’m concerned about Vee. I’ve been reading the sports news. Some of the prognosticators are downright mean about Vee taking charge of the Coopers. They’re ruthless.”
My jaw clenched hearing that news from my mother. I wanted to keep it from Vee. “I don’t know her decision,” I said. “But if Vee decides to take the helm, forget what outsiders say. I know she can do whatever she puts her mind to, and the other members of the team feel the same.”
“I’m glad to hear that. Fin, I believe in destiny or fate.” Before I could respond, she continued. “You signing with the Coopers. Vee. Now her father. You were meant to be with her, to help her. Please take care of her.”
“I will, Mom.”
“Tell her we’re thinking of her. We also hope you’ll bring her back here again.”
My smile lifted my cheeks. “I’ll tell her. We’ll see what happens after the season. Tell Dad I said hey.”
“Love you, Fin.”
“Love you, Mom.” I disconnected the call.
It was odd how saying those words to my mother when I was eighteen felt impossible. Now at double that age, it felt right.
I heard the beep of the security system as down the hallway past Vee’s office, the front door opened. Turning the sauce off, I headed in that direction. A fist clutched in my chest at the sight of Vee. Her shoulders drooped and her chin was down, lost in thought.
The woman I loved was carrying the weight of the world on her shoulders. She might hide it from everyone else, but it was as bright as a neon sign to me.
Vee turned, her emerald eyes glassy as they opened wide.
It was almost as if she was surprised that I was standing here in her hallway.
I didn’t speak. There was plenty of time for that.
Instead, I brushed my lips over hers, helped her with her jacket, hanging it on the side hook, and opened my arms wide.
Without hesitation, Vee wrapped her arms around my torso and buried her face in the front of my shirt.
Ragged breaths caused her body to quake as I held her tight with one arm and smoothed her chestnut tresses with the other.
Scooping her from her feet, I inhaled, cradling Vee against my chest as I carried her into the living room.
We came to a stop as I sat, keeping her on my lap. Despite her current vulnerable state, her round ass over my cock had a way of recirculating my blood. After a minute or two, Vee looked up and wiped her nose on the back of her hand.
“I’m sorry.”
“For what?”
She shook her head. “I keep it together all day. Maybe you should go to your place. That way you wouldn’t have to put up with me.”
Pressing my lips together in a grin, I lowered my forehead to hers. “When I said I want all of you, this is part of that.”
“It’s not fair to you. We just got back together, and I’m a blubbering mess.”
I lifted her chin until our gazes met. “You’re not a mess.
You’re stunning, and what makes you even more beautiful, what makes me remember all the reasons I love you, is that you’re willing to show me this side of yourself.
” I kissed her nose. “Maeve Hubbard, thank you for trusting me with the real you.”
Closing her eyes, she inhaled. “On my drive home, I started thinking about tomorrow. I want to stay strong in front of…everyone.” She forced a smile and stared deep into my eyes. “I know I said for you to leave, but I don’t want that.”
“That’s good, because I’m not going anywhere.”
She lowered her chin. “Tomorrow. The seating for the team is in the stands. There will be chairs on the floor for family and close friends.” Slowly she lifted her chin. “You don’t have to, but I was wondering if you…?”
“Do you want me in the stands?”
Vee shook her head. “The world knows about us. If you don’t mind, I would like you with me.”
Relief and resolve filled me in equal measures. Vee wanted me with her in a very personal and public setting. “I’ll never leave your side.”
She laid her head on my shoulder. “Thank you.”
Resolve was equally as strong. “No one will get close to you; no one you don’t want to speak to.”
“Can you keep most of my family away?”
“If that’s what you want.”
She lifted her head as she wiggled her nose. “Do I smell something delicious?”
“I’m not sure if it’s delicious. It’s my first time to try the recipe.”
Vee’s smile outshone her reddened eyes. “I promise, I can cook too.”
“We’re still in our Fin’s-in-control bubble.” I tilted my forehead back to Vee’s. “What do you want right now?”
“For tomorrow to be over.”
“I can’t do that. I can take off your shoes, start a fire, get you a glass of wine, and finish making dinner.”
“Almost as good,” she said with a grin. “Maybe after dinner, we could revisit your stress-relieving methods?” She sat up, her expression sobering. “Wait. What about your rib?”
“My rib will be fine.”
Vee jumped from my lap. “You shouldn’t have carried me.”
“You’re not heavy. My rib will mend. And relieving stress is not against the doctor’s orders.”
“Are you sure?”
Standing, I motioned for Vee to sit on the sofa. Next, I squatted near her knees and removed each of her shoes. “There, wiggle your toes. You’ll be feeling better already. Do I want to ask about your day? How was your meeting with Tilson?”
Vee hummed as she did as I said. “It was better than I anticipated. I feel like I’m constantly needing to prove my knowledge, but for him, it went well.”
“For him?”
“The football world is filled with misogynistic, chauvinist men. It’s not rumor. It’s fact. I’ve been dealing with it since college.”
“Funny, because in this home, it seems I’ve been doing a lot of cooking.”
Vee grinned. “I’ll have to find some way to make it up to you.”
I made my way toward the kitchen and turned the burner on beneath the sauce. Vee followed, taking a seat at the island. As I filled a pot with water for the pasta, I turned, seeing a slight smile on her lips—an improvement from minutes ago. “What are you thinking?”
She shrugged. “I don’t really know. I’m amazed you’re here, and you’re taking care of me.” Her smile dimmed. “I’m sorry I hurt you all those years ago.”
“Vee, we’ve reviewed the film and identified the issues with our earlier play. Now we’re looking forward to the next game.”
“Is it that easy?”
I turned off the water and placed the pot on the stove. “For now, let’s say yes.”
“Thank you for the voicemail. I hadn’t seen the injury report. I would have been more worried.”
“Wine?” I asked, reaching for two glasses.
Vee nodded. “Bre Stanton came to my office as I was ready to leave.”
“She did?” I found a bottle of cabernet and set it on the counter. “What did she want?”
“To attend tomorrow’s service.”
I arched my brow. “I thought everyone from the football center was invited.”
“I specifically uninvited Bre the other day.” Vee looked down at the counter and back up. “I gave in. I just told her she had to sit in the stands. During the dinner she must stay away from Daphne.”
“Did she argue?”
Vee shook her head. “She asked to come to the funeral home. I said no.” She looked up as I handed her a glass. “I probably haven’t mentioned it, but I’m close with two of my cousins.”
“I remember Leigh.”
“She’s married now,” she said. “His name is Hayden. They’re good together. I’m also close to Phillip. He goes by Lip.”
Taking a sip of my wine. I tried to remember. “He wasn’t the one at the meeting about my contract.”
“No,” she said, exhaling. “That’s Grant. Lip is his younger brother. They’ll all be at the funeral home, service, and dinner tomorrow. I just wanted to prepare you. Lip isn’t married, but he is seeing someone. His name is Christopher—Chris.”
A laugh came from my throat. “Did you think that would bother me?”
Vee shrugged.
“If your cousin is happy, that’s all that matters.” I lifted my glass. “To finally meeting your family.”
Vee lifted her glass and we clicked. “It’s not all it’s cracked up to be.”
After we both took a drink, I said, “My mom called tonight. She said to tell you she’s thinking of you.”
Vee smiled. “That’s nice.” She tilted her head. “She knows about us…that we’re back together?”
“And she’s thrilled.”
She exhaled. “That’s how a family should be.”