Page 13 of Scored

Our sleep and extracurricular activities allowed us to rest and unwind. However, as she stared out the side window at the snowy January scenery, I saw the tension returning, the tightening of her facial muscles and the way she straightened her spine.

I wanted to reach across the console, but that would take my right hand away from the steering wheel. Instead, I used words. “What are you thinking about?”

She turned toward me, blinking. “I’m thinking about last year and how much has changed. Last year, the Coopers had a 12–5 season, and we made it to the conference finals. We played the wild-card round in Denver. It was snowing.” She shivered. “I was in the warm suite, but the snow was horrible. They had to keep clearing the field so the players could see the yard lines.”

I could visualize exactly what she described. “I remember watching highlights of that game. Honestly, that weather favored the Broncos. No one expected the Coopers to win.”

Her smile was stunning. “My dad was so excited and proud. He was beaming. The next game, divisional round, we hosted. Lexington was electric. The entire city celebrated and the fans were amazing.”

“And you won.”

“We did. Dad was so sure about Troy Dennison. He argued with Uncle Darin and Grant about our offer. Dad stood firm. Even Dad didn’t expect Troy to make such an impact his rookie year.”

“He’s a great kid, talented but not cocky.”

“The conference round we played at New England... that game wasn’t as snowy, but it was frigid cold. There were a lot of dropped balls. New England won. This year, with our 16–1 record, we will be hosting as long as we win. My stadium operations’ mind is in overdrive.”

“How do you plan for two games when you don’t know if the others will happen? They will happen,” I added hastily.

“My team has already sent out emails to our season ticket holders. They can preorder tickets to both games. We only charge for the first game. Once the second game is set, they’re charged, and so on. For general-public sales, we won’t make those tickets available until the playoff bracket and opponent are confirmed by the NFL. That won’t be until we know the winners of the wild-card round.”

“I never really thought about that side of the games.”

“We have a lot of work to do.” Her grin grew. “I owe that to you.”

“My goal is less work,” I said.

“No. I feel the electricity. I can picture Dad’s excitement. We could have easily been 11–6 if you hadn’t played those five games when Troy was out. In the AFC, we might not have even made the wild card.”

“Dennison is still the Coopers’ star.”

“He is,” she agreed. “But our record is due to you. That record is what got us first seed and a bye week.”

It was my turn to laugh. “Coach gave us today off because we didn’t arrive back in Lexington until nearly four in the morning. This isn’t a bye week. We’ll be working hard. The Coopers will play the lowest AFC seed in the divisional game. We won’t know who that opponent is until the wild-card round is complete. With three wild-card games, it could be one of six teams. Pratt will be studying the different defenses of those six teams. He’s going to drill us over and over on each team. Then after our opponent is set, we’ll be zeroing in on that team’s defense, and how our offense can prevail.”

“It sounds like we will all be working hard.”

“The Vikings made the wild-card bracket for the NFC. They’re playing Green Bay in Green Bay.”

“Sounds cold. Honestly, once Rowlings returned, the Vikings did well.”

I nodded. “They finished 12–5. Maybe there could be a Coopers vs Vikings Super Bowl.”

“That would be tough on your parents.”

“If that happens, I’m buying tickets and making them attend. No fifteen-minute delay.”

“They can be my guest in our suite.” Vee shook her head. “No. I’m not thinking that far in the future. One game at a time. Two here. After that we can talk about the Super Bowl.”

The guard at the gate waved me through as we entered Maker’s Mark’s parking lot.

“Most everyone else must still be sleeping,” Vee said, scanning the mostly empty lot.

“Do you want me to drop you off at the door?”

She turned to me and smiled. “I can walk. The cool air is invigorating.”

“Does that mean you’re up for traveling to Green Bay for the Vikings?”