My cousin put her arm around me. “Could my girl be overcoming her commitment issues?”
“I wouldn’t rush to any conclusions.”
“Vee,” Uncle Darin said, coming closer. “Today’s remembrance was well done.”
Aunt Rachel joined us. “Reid would have approved.”
I nodded. Inhaling, I felt my nostrils flare at the missing usual attendees. “Daphne didn’t stay?”
Aunt Rachel pursed her lips. “She said she had a headache.”
“I should have known she was ill. She hugged me after we stepped off the field.”
Leigh laughed. “Grant offered to take her home.”
“So is Joe out and Grant back in?”
Uncle Darin shook his head. “Grant isn’t interested in Daphne like that.”
“Dad’s probably right,” Leigh said. “It’s difficult for Grant to be interested in anyone except himself.”
A laugh bubbled from my throat.
“Ms. Vee,” Brent said. “A cosmo?”
“Yeah, I’ll have one for Dad.”
After I made myself a salad, Leigh, Hayden, and I sat at the bar. The post-game wrap-up was on the large television. Dennison stood and Fin took his place. The closed caption was on. I was about to read what he was saying when a hand came to my shoulder.
Craning my neck and looking up, I met Royce’s stare. “Good game.”
He nodded. “We’re essentially in the playoffs now.”
“Officially we have week eighteen.”
“The Texans are 15–2. If the Coopers lose next week, we’ll have a tied record.”
I set down my fork. “We won’t lose.”
“If we do, one of us will get the number-one seed. The other will have to play a wild-card game.”
“We’re not going to lose,” I said again. “You’re the general manager. Don’t you have faith in our team?”
“I have faith, Vee. I know how much Reid wanted a Super Bowl win. I know you want the same thing. It’s been a hell of a season. I’m glad we signed Graham. He’s been solid. The next six weeks will be our marathon.”
I tried to recall. “Didn’t the Coopers play in the Super Bowl your first year as general manager?”
He nodded. “Played, we didn’t win. I’ve been thinking, it would be nice to come in on a Super Bowl appearance and leave on a Super Bowl win.”
Leave.
What?
I stood and stared into Royce’s eyes. “You want to retire?”
“I think it’s time. I’m seventy-five, Vee. I was hired by Carroll, worked with Reid, and now you’re the owner. I know you’ll make your granddad and dad proud. I think it’s time to let a younger man handle this position. I already spoke with Darin and Rachel.”
Shit. I couldn’t say I was sad to see him go. I also didn’t want the responsibility of finding a new general manager. Offering Royce my hand, we shook. “I’d appreciate your insight regarding a new hire.”
