“Griffin told you?”
“Yes.” I turned back to Dad. “If Dennison is on the IR, Simpson’s re-signing is priceless.” I tried to read his expression. “This season is on the line.” My volume rose. “And we’ve only played one regular season game. Dennison will heal and when he does?—”
“We’ll have two overpaid backup quarterbacks,” Uncle Darin interjected.
The ensuing discussion was quickly squelched by my father. “While I appreciate your knowledge and input in the matter” —the room quieted— “as sole owner, the decision is mine. Darin, talk to Simpson’s agent immediately. Once I have the numbers, I’ll talk with Royce and decide. Any further business?” When no one responded, he added, “Meeting adjourned.”
As I gathered my things, Dad said, “Vee, stay for a minute.”
Nodding, I set my tablet and papers on the table. As I waited for others to leave, I secured the button-lined large cuffs on my long-sleeved blouse. While itwas summer, the sleeves themselves were sheer. I chose the blouse for the long cuffs, which covered my bruised wrists. Once the door was closed, Dad leaned forward. “Do you remember what I said a few weeks ago?”
Though I searched within the recesses of my mind, I shook my head. “It’s been a busy first month of the season.”
“I told you that you and Grant would be working together in the future. I also said that while Grant is essential in communication, he also has a good mind for the football side of the business. That is changing. Drew is very impressed with what you’ve learned in football operations. Yet, I stand by my word; you have the heart of the Coopers as your main concern. What do you think your grandfather would do in this situation?”
“I think he’d do everything he could to re-sign Cody Simpson.”
Dad smiled. “You didn’t hesitate. You didn’t defer to Royce.” He nodded. “I like that. Now, what if the numbers don’t compute?”
I shook my head. “How much are we talking, Dad? How much is too much to give the bench some depth. Listen, I was against signing Fin, especially with the higher salary Royce insisted we offer. I can admit I was wrong. Griffin Graham is a valuable addition to the Coopers. I was also right in the fact that Fin is thirty-six, nearly thirty-seven years old. If a game is going well, let him rest and have a quarterback who is ready to jump in on day one.”
“If Fin gets hurt?” Dad asked.
“We’re fucked. Talk to Drew, get the O line ready to protect him under all circumstances.” I fought a smile remembering Fin saying he’d been hit by big men.
My dad nodded. “As I said, Drew said you’re a quick learner. Did you hear anything interesting with the earpiece?”
Would I be throwing Fin under the bus to tell Dad what he did?
Does Dad already know?
Is this a test?
“I heard Drew call a run play,” I said. “While both backs were available, Fin went to the pass option.”
Dad nodded. “What do you think about that? Insubordination?”
“No,” I replied honestly. “I think the reason Royce was willing to pay for Griffin Graham was because he brings more to the team than a throwing arm. Fin has experience. He read the defense and determined that neither back would succeed in a first down. If that happened—we’d been stopped—we would have had to punt to Tennessee. They would have gotten the ball back. Their defense was expecting our run game. Fin read it correctly and made the right adjustment.” I almost added that I told him so but stopped myself.
Dad stood, scooting back his chair. “I’m proud of you, Vee. You remind me more and more of your grandfather every day.”
Something I’d buried in the overload of my recent new workload came back to me. “Grant made a comment about a change to your will. Uncle Darin told him and Lip the team was to be divided three ways.”
Dad took a deep breath. “That’s not completely accurate.”
“Kind of accurate?” I asked.
“I never understood why my father cut Rachel out of team ownership. It’s why I’ve always included her and Darin.”
“Are you worried that I won’t include Uncle Darin, Grant, and Lip?”
“Should I be?”
I met Dad’s green stare. “Grant is a never-ending thorn in my side, but no. Each one of the people around this table has specific knowledge that’s necessary to keep the Coopers successful. They all have a stake in the franchise.”
“Don’t you think that stake should be as part owners?”
I didn’t honestly know how to answer.
