Neither was I.
The Raiders’ home stadium was adjacent to the famous Las Vegas strip, yet technically in Paradise, Nevada. It was one of the newest stadiums in the NFL along with the Rams/Chargers SoFi stadium and Crystal Light. Our capacity was seventy thousand fans. Allegiant held sixty-five thousand and was also home to the UNLV Rebels college football team. In 2024, they hosted the Super Bowl, an accomplishment Crystal Light couldn’t claim.
Currently, we’re not in the running. For one thing, convincing the NFL that Lexington was a better location than larger markets wasn’t easy. While the locations of future Super Bowls hadn’t been announced beyond Atlanta in 2028, one of the rules for hosting a Super Bowl was to have enough hotel rooms within an hour’s drive to accommodate thirty-five percent of the stadium’s capacity. For us, that would mean nearly 25,000 rooms. Lexington had close to 12,000. Neighboring cities, such as Georgetown, Richmond, Frankfort, and Winchester added significantly to that number. Our facility was adequate. It was our supporting infrastructure that lacked.
It was a battle Dad vowed to keep fighting.
I stared up at the unique shape of Allegiant Stadium as it came into view. The structure was impressive. The domed roof allowed for natural light without the heat and rays of the desert sun. I’d been to this stadium before in a suite. Tomorrow will be my first time on the field under the dome.
DeQuinta stopped the car. She stepped out to open Grant’s door while Virginia did the same for me.
The three of us walked without speaking across the large expanse of sidewalk to an entrance.
“Ms. Hubbard and Mr. Marsh from the Coopers,” I said to a security guard.
“Yes,” he replied after checking his tablet. “Let me show you inside.” The guard explained the directions for us to reach our own respective locations. Once Grant went his own way, I let out a breath.
“Ms. Hubbard,” the Raiders’ vice president of operations said. “Welcome.”
“Call me Vee, please.”
“And I’m Chris. Now let me show you to…”
It was after six at night when Virginia and I returned to the hotel. Once we were up to my suite, I invited her inside. “I wasn’t sure how this would go but thank you. It went well.”
“I’m glad you’re satisfied. We didn’t have too much difficulty with reporters, seeing as the stadium was closed off to the public. Tomorrow will be different. I’ll get you safely to and from the suite.”
I shook my head. “I’m not staying in the suite with the rest of the family. I’ll be on the sideline of the field.”
Virginia opened her eyes wide. “I didn’t know that.”
“I’ll be perfectly fine on the sideline. Allegiant has guards and security all around. The event is secure.”
“When you leave the field?” she asked.
“I’ll find a place where you can wait for me. If that’s all right?”
“That will work. Do you plan to go out to dinner?”
“No,” I said with relief as I kicked off my shoes. “I’m in for the night. I’ll order room service and in the morning...” I looked at my watch. “I want to be to Allegiant by 9:00 a.m.”
“The game isn’t until one thirty.”
“There’s a lot that goes on before then.”
Virginia smiled and nodded. “I’ll be here at 8:45 a.m.”
“Thank you.”
After she was gone, I double-checked the door locks and looked around my suite.
Chapter 25
Vee
The Waldorf Astoria was situated in the heart of the Vegas strip but was a gambling-free hotel. Through the tall windows in my bedroom, I looked out upon the bright lights associated with the iconic city. My current view included Paris with the glowing Eiffel Tower replica, Planet Hollywood, and Aria.
As the host to many traveling NFL teams, this hotel was also secure. Judging by the time of evening, not a text from Fin, the players should be in the hotel. Currently, they would be in meetings with their offense, defense, or special team. In an hour or so, they would have a private dining room and a high-carb dinner. While these players were men, they had rules. Curfew was at 11:00 p.m.
