“When?” I asked.
“Within the last ten years,” Ms. Wilcox said. “We have time to further discuss all of this after the final arrangements are made.” She nodded toward Daphne. “Mrs. Hubbard, are we all in agreement of a private funeral and celebration of life, a moment of silence and a commemoration of life at the end of the season?”
“Football,” Daphne murmured. “His entire life was monopolized by football. I suppose it makes sense that his death would be too.”
I took that as my cue. Standing, I turned to Ms. Wilcox. “Thank you, Cammy. Once we have the particulars, we’ll inform you and…” I looked at Grant. “The Coopers will communicate to our fans.” I lifted my satchel. “Daphne, we can talk tomorrow. I think we’re all too exhausted tonight.”
She pursed her lips and nodded with a huff.
I spoke to the room. “Nothing is finalized until Daphne and I have a chance to voice our opinions.”
My stepmother’s brown stare came my way. “Thank you for including me.”
“I have a headache. Good night, everyone.”
“Vee,” Leigh called out. “Do you need a ride home?”
“Thanks. I think I need some time alone.”
My cousin got up and followed me to the door. “Will you be?” she asked quietly.
“Alone?”
Leigh nodded.
“No.” I exhaled. “I won’t.”
“Good.” She wrapped her arms around me. “Let me know when you’re home.”
“Vee,” Mr. Eads said, “may I accompany you out to your car?”
“I’m tired.”
“This is important, I promise.”
Nodding, I opened the front door.
Dad and Daphne’s home was located on twenty-five acres northeast of the city. Stepping outside, I inhaled the humid autumn air. The earlier rain was gone, leaving its remnants in the form of puddles and saturated air. A cloud deck hovered over the western horizon, displaying an array of colors—reds, oranges, and purples.
“Vee,” Mr. Eads said, closing the door to the rest of the family. “Again, I’m sorry for your loss.”
“Mr. Eads, what couldn’t wait another day?”
“Did your father ever discuss his will with you?”
I inhaled. “Recently, he told me he was considering changes, including Uncle Darin, Aunt Rachel, Grant, Lip, and Leigh for thirty-nine percent. He said I’d have fifty-one percent, controlling interest.”
Mr. Eads nodded. “That was what was discussed. I even drafted a new will.”
“Did Dad sign the draft?”
He shook his head. “Your father constructed his will around the time he and Daphne married. I was with your father at that time. After your mother, Reid was cautious.”
“Did Dad and Daphne have a prenup?”
“No. That was why he didn’t want to leave his vast estate or the Coopers’ future to chance. In his will he provided for his children, in the case he and Daphne would have more. As you know, you’re his only child. Nevertheless, time changed things, and he was willing to broaden the beneficiaries.”
“But he didn’t…not yet?”
