Damn, it was going to get hot.
There were players about to practice who wouldn’t be on the team come regular season. The Coopers started preseason with a ninety-player roster. That number had to be down to fifty-three and only forty-eight on the active roster by a week from Sunday.Scanning the faces, I wondered who was on the chopping block.
With my new contract, I was certain of one thing.
It wasn’t me.
My smile returned as I saw Vee on the sidelines talking with Drew Pratt, our offensive coordinator, and Grant Marsh, Vee’s cousin. Her long hair was pulled back in a ponytail. Unlike the business attire she had on yesterday, her sexy legs were covered by black leggings. The Coopers t-shirt hung to her mid thighs. Instead of heels, she was wearing tennis shoes. I had a flashback of her at Kentucky running onto the field with a water bottle. I should have realized there was more to her love of the game.
It looked like Vee was showing Drew her notes, and he was nodding. “You go, girl,” I said under my breath. “You’ve got this.”
That was what my text message said that I sent to Vee this morning.
She sent me back a thumbs-up emoji.
“All right, gentlemen,” Coach Tilson called into a bullhorn. “Let’s get ready to take down the Lions.”
Everyone lifted their helmets in the air with a roar.
CHAPTER 15
Vee
Drew’s lips moved but I didn’t hear what he said.
I plucked the earpiece from my ear. “I’m sorry, what?”
Drew smiled. “How are you doing?”
The end of the morning practice had just been announced. “My head’s swimming, but I’m not drowning.”
Approval shone in his smiling expression. “You’re doing well.”
Andrew Pratt was in his mid-fifties. He played college football at Notre Dame. Instead of playing in the NFL, Drew went straight into coaching,first at a high school in Indiana. Then he moved up to coaching in Division III college. About ten years ago, he made the move to the NFL. He coached offense at New Orleans and Buffalo before coming to the Coopers as a quarterback coach three years ago. Dad felt he had more talent and moved him up to offensive coordinator last year. The difference between Drew and Royce Beasley was that I’d been a part of the Coopers when Drew arrived. He knew me as part of the administration despite my age and gender.
“The plays are called fast,” I said. “My notes are well and good, but I need to keep working so I don’t need to refer to them as often.”
“You’ll be surprised. The language will become second nature. Soon, you’ll be hearing play calls in your dreams.”
“I hope not.”
Drew laughed.
“It’s exciting,” I said, honestly invigorated, “being this close to the action.”
He patted my shoulder. “I’m glad you’re here, Vee.”
“Thanks, Drew. You can pass that on to Royce and Grant. Neither one of them thought I could do it.”
“They’re wrong.”
“Who’s wrong?”
Drew and I turned as my cousin approached. Before I could tell him thathewas wrong, he spoke.
“Tell me the truth, Drew,” Grant said. “Is Vee cut out for the sideline?”
“I’d welcome her any day. She has a real knack for catching on. I’m sure stadium operations and marketing doesn’t want to lose you,” Drew said to me, “but you’re welcome here as much as your schedule allows.”
