“He’d told me that before.”
“He’s telling you now,”Leigh had said.
Seeing Lip across the table from me brought Leigh’s observation back. “Did Leigh tell you what he said?” I whispered.
Susan returned with Lip’s bourbon and my coffee.
“She told me,” he said, before swirling the barrel-shaped ice cube. “She told me about his parents’ house too.” He leaned closer. “That was some mean shit.”
“I agree. What upsets me more is that he thought it was true. Once he learned who I was, who I hadn’t told him I was, he believed I thought less of him and his parents. I’m not sure I can forgive him.”
“Has he forgiven you?”
The playbook blurred before me. Swallowing back the tears, I shrugged. “Neither of us said we were sorry. Neither forgave.”
Lip pressed his lips together.
We were at cruising altitude when Lip asked, “What do you want, Vee?”
“I lived fourteen years without Griffin Graham. I’d given up on a future with him.”
“So, you’re saying you’re fine with the way you two left things?”
I shook my head. “I’m not fine.”
CHAPTER 29
Vee
From the moment we arrived in Denver, my schedule was full. I accompanied my ops coordinator on the stadium inspection of Empower Field at Mile High. While Denver was ultimately responsible for the kickoff countdown, as the visiting team, we had responsibilities. Along with that, I tried to stick with Drew Pratt whenever possible.
Troy Dennison became my very helpful assistant. Maybe in all actuality, I was his. I knew deep down that I wouldn’t be capable of having the discussions we were about play calling if it hadn’t been for the afternoon in my office with Fin and checkers.
On the few occasions my path crossed Fin’s, it felt as though he made a concerted effort to look in the other direction or avoid me. It may have been my ego talking, but if it was, it was a bruised ego.
Sunday morning, the kickoff countdown went into high gear. With the game scheduled for 4:05 p.m. Eastern time—2:05 p.m. in Denver—the four-hour countdown began at 10:05 a.m.
Lip and Grant were with Dad and Daphne in a suite. Uncle Darin and Aunt Rachel flew in on Saturday. We’d all gotten together for Sunday breakfast. I was the one who left early, to get to the field in time for the one-hundred-minute security meeting. While I wasn’t involved in the meeting, that meeting was the real kickoff of activities.
As the Coopers went out on the field for the last practice, Cody Simpson made his way over to Troy. I moved away, giving them some time alone to talk. When I turned, Fin had joined their exclusive group.
Lifting my chin, I walked toward them. “Have a great game.”
“Thank you, Ms. Maeve,” Cody said. “Glad to be wearing the Coopers amber again.”
I smiled. “Looks good on you.” I met Fin’s gaze. His black eye was now green and yellow. “Mr. Graham.”
“Ms. Hubbard.” He turned and walked onto the field.
Shit.
Denver won the coin toss.
The Coopers would receive the ball to start the game.
With my earpiece in my ear, I listened to the calls, checked my notes, and watched as the players moved on the field. Both defenses were top-notch. The first quarter ended without a score. As the second quarter began, I realized Drew’s play calling was ultraconservative.
Was he worried about Fin’s throwing arm?
