Page 128 of Scored

Fin and I both stood.

“Thank you,” I replied.

Fin extended his hand.

Preston stared at it for a moment and then brought his hand forward. They shook.

After Preston left, I turned to Fin. “The reason Dad and Ed’s discussion was contentious was that Ed told Dad his assistant was his daughter. I doubt Ed knew that Bre and Dad were romantically involved.” I shook my head.

Fin reached for my hands and kissed my forehead. “Do you trust Ed Clark?”

“No,” I answered honestly. “I trust Preston.” I looked up into Fin’s blue orbs. “Do you?”

“I do. Even so, he better not show up at our wedding.”

“I should tell Grant not to invite him.”

Fin tilted his head. “Bre is pleading guilty. We’ve known that for a while. What does that mean for your father’s estate? His will said children.”

I shrugged. “It’s a mess for the lawyers to figure out. I have the Coopers. Joe is fighting Bre for Daphne. He claims Bre’s actions against Dad voided her right to any of his estate.”

“What about Olivia?”

“Trish explained that she was released early from prison all those years ago. There’s no statute of limitations on an absconder warrant. They arrested her in LA, and she has a revocation hearing coming up. More than likely, she’ll be incarcerated for the remaining time on her original sentence.”

“How do you feel about that?”

I let out a long breath. “I don’t. Dad was my parent. Olivia left and never looked back.”

He wrapped his arms around me. “I’m never leaving.”

A smile curled my lips. “Good, because I love you and your bubble.”

“I love you.”

EPILOGUE

Fin

Three months later

Late spring in the Smoky Mountains was beautiful. Nothing was as beautiful as Vee in her gown.

Our guests stood, their chairs set up on the large balcony of the Hubbard family cabin. The blue sky shone over the mountaintops and a gentle breeze blew. We wanted to keep our wedding small and personal. That didn’t mean we couldn’t include the special people in our lives.

Zane stood at my side as my best man.

My mother, father, and Ashley were in the front row.

Daphne, Grant, Rachel, and Darin were in the seats designated for Vee’s parents. Hayden and Chris were in the next row. Leigh had just walked down the aisle, and was standing to my right, past our officiant, Phillip Marsh. He took an online course and was thrilled to be officiating.

The wedding march came through the speakers. Our guests turned to see the most beautiful bride in the entire world.

Troy was in attendance with his date. JD, Drew, Darius, and Noah were all here with their wives. Members of stadium operations, Vee’s directors and their significant others, as well as Jen and her husband. Jen was the future vice president of stadium operations. That transition would take some time. Right now, the Coopers were settled with their personnel.

The gorgeous owner of the Lexington Coopers stepped out from behind the glass doors, taking my breath away. She was absolutely stunning in her long white lace gown. Her veil was already pulled back, not covering her beautiful emerald-green eyes. Confident and poised, Vee walked down the aisle unescorted.

Reid Hubbard was with us in spirit.