Pratt nodded. “That was always Mr. Hubbard’s policy.”
“It’s still the policy. The Coopers are a team. They can support one another even if they’re not listed to play.” Before I could ask about the rumor mill, Coach Garcia called Coach Pratt out onto the field.
“Glad you’re here. Grab your earphones and let me know what you see.”
Arron, a young man in an orange hat, came my way carrying earphones. “Ms. Hubbard,” he said with a smile. “Glad you’re here. I’ve had these ready for you.”
“Thank you, Arron.”
We were about half an hour into practice when I saw Fin coming in my direction. I lifted one side of my earphones. “What are you doing?”
“I figured Dennison helped you during practices. I could too, since I’m not going to be out there.”
Warmth filled my cheeks. “It’s not the same.”
“Are you afraid we’ll start a rumor?”
“I think we’re past the rumor stage.”
Fin stood by my side, dwarfing my stature, not my presence. If I didn’t know better, I’d think he was beside me as both reassurance and protection. I appreciated the first and didn’t need the second.
“Tell me what you hear and what it means. We’ll see how far you’ve come since playing checkers in your office.”
Chapter 15
Vee
* * *
When I returned to my office, Jen was at her desk. “Any word from Aunt Rachel’s office?” I asked.
Jen shook her head. “I’ve spoken to Millie. She’s still in football operations. With Bre Stanton gone, Kandace Jessup oversees Ms. Marsh’s new assistants.”
I blinked my eyes. “I don’t care who’s in charge. I want to speak to Ms. Marsh before she leaves the building.”
Jen stood and handed me a note. “You did get calls from Ms. Loften, Tony Witkoff, and Bre Stanton all asking for you to return them ASAP.”
My stomach twisted as I read the names on the small piece of paper. “Did Bre say what she wanted to discuss?”
Bre’s arrest was common knowledge around the football facility. Arrests were a matter of public record including a listing in the Lexington Herald. While the charge read murder, the victim wasn’t listed. Assumptions were running wild.
“She said it was important that you call her. She also said she’d come to you but was told that she’s barred from entering Maker’s Mark.”
“Honestly, Cammy Wilcox is coordinating the franchise’s response with Grant. She’s doing the legal and Grant, the communications.”
Jen knitted her eyebrows together. “And you haven’t been told?”
Closing my eyes, I exhaled. “You’re right. I need to inquire.” With Jen’s note in my hand, I made my way into my private office. After removing the Coopers pullover, I hung it on the hall tree and settled behind my desk. The plays I’d been listening to and discussing with Fin were fresh on my mind.
My ability to understand the plays, anticipate the players’ movements, and articulate what was happening was improving. The Coopers’ plays were a foreign language. As such, it was a matter of understanding and mastering the basics.
At one point, Fin asked me what call I would make after Dennison’s pass was blocked. We had a minute or so and I thought about the scenario. The center linebacker was big and fast. I told Fin that I’d have one of our guards assigned to that linebacker to stop him from blocking another pass.
Fin grinned. “Now tell me in play language.”
I was about halfway through the play when Garcia’s voice was again in my ears. “He’s talking.”
Fin leaned close. “We have homework tonight.”
