She shook her head. “I’m a Hubbard. Darin knows that. We’ve worked together in football operations for most of our careers. Darin can handle whatever comes up there. What about you?”
“What about me?”
“You told me why I’m a good fit as CEO. Darin can handle football operations. Grant is communications, and Lip is chief brand officer. You and Reid worked together on the business side of the Coopers—stadium operations, ticket sales, and marketing. Do you plan to keep that up or are you going to shift your focus to football operations?”
“Both. I can’t step up to CEO until there’s someone capable of stepping into my role. At the same time, as owner, I believe Dad was right about me understanding the franchise as a whole.”
She tilted her head as her green eyes softened. “You have a full plate, Vee. Now with this mess with Bre…I’m worried about you.”
“You’re helping me by moving into Dad’s office. My shoulders feel lighter already.” I tugged on my lower lip with my front teeth. “Was there anything beyond regular work between Dad and Bre?”
Aunt Rachel’s lips formed a straight line.
“It’s a thought I’d been having since yesterday.”
Aunt Rachel shrugged. “I don’t know with any certainty. Your father was a complicated man. Certainly, if there was, it’s better that it doesn’t come out when he’s not around to defend himself.”
“But if there was and Bre’s accused of his murder, it will come out.”
“Reid had trouble with trusting after…”
“My mother?”
She nodded.
A pesky thought had been rattling around in my brain since I learned about the affair. “I’ve never been told the circumstances of my mother’s leaving. Did she leave Dad for another man?”
My aunt let out a long breath. “Olivia and Reid were never truly compatible.”
“I’m an adult. I have few pictures of my mother” —I shook my head— “and no memories of her. Dad made his will, according to Joe Eads, because he didn’t want another situation with Daphne like he had with my mother. What was that situation? How could she walk away from her husband and baby? Tell me what you know. I can handle the truth.”
“This is a conversation you should have had with your father.”
Tears prickled the back of my eyes. “I used to try. The subject of my mom was the only wall between Dad and me.” I shrugged. “I thought there was time…that one day, he’d tell me the truth.”
“If Reid didn’t want that story known, I respect his wishes. That’s the same answer I have for your question about Bre.”
I looked at the message scrolling across my watch face. “I have a meeting about the players on the injury list. I need to go.”
Aunt Rachel reached out, grasping my arm. “We’re going to survive this.”
Fighting new emotions, I pressed my lips together and nodded. It was time to meet with Coach Tilson in an official meeting. Pratt, our offensive coordinator, Brown, our defensive coordinator, and Royce Beasley would also be present.
Chapter 4
Fin
* * *
I did a double take at the message on my phone. I’d expected more text messages in the offense chat about Rachel Marsh being named CEO of the Coopers. This text message wasn’t from a teammate.
* * *
“VEE IS IN TROUBLE. YOU’RE NOT MY FIRST CHOICE, BUT WE SHOULD TALK. BOURBON ON RYE ON MAIN STREET. TODAY 4:15 P.M.”
* * *
The text message arrived Wednesday afternoon and immediately caused the small hairs on the back of my neck to stand to attention. It was sent without a name or number. My screen simply said, ‘Private Number,’ yet there was something about the message I couldn’t ignore.
