Page 36 of Scored

Beyond the windows, fans filled the stadium. Their breath and body warmth created a kind of ice cloud shimmering in the bright lights. Both teams were on the field practicing. Most of the televisions in the suite were tuned to the pregame broadcast. Of the five prognosticators sitting in the broadcast booth, four chose Green Bay to be victorious. Only the guy from ESPN predicted the Vikings would win.

The other television was tuned to the KC Chiefs vs Pittsburgh Steelers playoff matchup. It was the fourth quarter and like Green Bay, Pittsburgh had an open-air bowl. Acrisure Stadium was only marginally warmer than Lambeau, meaning it was cold.

Unlike the Vikings who played in an indoor stadium, the Chiefs were used to fighting the elements.

The Chiefs were up, 24–17. The Steelers had possession of the ball.

“Another 4–5 matchup,” I said to Fin.

“My money is that we play one of those teams next week.”

For a moment I stared at the famous picture of Vince Lombardi riding on the shoulder of his player with his fist in the air.

“NFL icon,” Lisa said, coming to my side with a glass of wine in her grasp. “You have to be iconic to have your name on the most coveted trophy in American football.”

The Lombardi Trophy.

I inhaled and looked Lisa in the eye. “I want it. My dad wanted it.” A grin came to my lips. “So, fair warning, if we end up in LA, Coopers vs Vikings, I’ll be rooting for the Coopers.”

“Oh dear. I’m not sure my heart could take that matchup. In all the years Zane’s been in the league, he and Fin have only played against one another a handful of times. That’s when I want both teams to win. The Super Bowl?” She laid her hand on her chest. “That would be a lot.”

“One game at a time.” I looked around and pointed toward the windows. “Theo and Ashley are out there.”

Beyond a long counter and chairs were stadium seats, still within the comfort of the temperature-controlled suite. Theo and Ashley were seated in the first row. When the noise level grew, I realized the stadium seating was open from suite to suite. A look at the KC vs Pittsburgh game showed an explanation for the screams. Pittsburgh scored with two minutes left in the game.

Viewers around the country held a collective breath as Pittsburgh’s kicker sent the ball wide right. Their score was tied at 24–24.

Cheers and boos came from the eighty-one thousand fans in Lambeau Field as the announcer shared the news. Everyone quickly quieted when a flag shone from the jumbotron. Both teams stood on the sidelines as a woman decked out in Green Bay green garb sang the national anthem.

The familiar anticipation coursed through my circulation as the announcer introduced the visiting team.

Lisa and I were still standing. “Do you want to sit down there with Theo and Ashley?” I asked, noticing the seats were filling fast.

Lisa shook her head. “I can sit up here. It’s too nerve-racking to be that close.”

After asking for a cosmo, I sat next to Lisa in a tall stool at the counter. Beyond the windows a booming video played on the north and south end-zone scoreboards and high above on the jumbotron. The crowd erupted as the speakers belted out AC/DC’s Hells Bells.

Anticipation grew as the stadium lights dimmed. Even from inside the suite, we could hear the fans’ chant of “Go Pack Go.”

The screens filled with championship clips and dynamic plays, bringing the crowd to their feet. Pyrotechnics sent crackling lightning through the stadium. The Packers’ coaches and players emerged from a smoke-filled tunnel. The players ran to the north end zone in a massive energetic huddle, jumping up and down. It was as if the excitement vibrated the stadium.

Minnesota won the coin toss.

That meant Zane and the Vikings’ quarterback, Rowlings, would start the game on the bench. The Minnesota defense ran out after the Packers signaled for a fair catch at their own twenty-two-yard line.

By halftime, I was on my second cosmo, and the Packers were up by six with a score of 13–7. The first half was a tight, defensive battle. As halftime entertainment filled the field, the coaches were no doubt in the locker rooms making adjustments. This was a win-or-go-home game. Typically, the second half would be more aggressive.

Turning away from the field, I found the handsome man I sought. My skin felt tight at the sight of the beautiful blond woman at his side.

“Lisa,” I whispered. “Is that Abigail?”

CHAPTER 15

Fin

Standing near the back of the suite, my attention went between the game and the sight before me. Watching how Mom and Vee talked to one another filled me with a sense of family. They reacted to plays and at times their heads would come together as they spoke to one another. I was certain Vee could explain every aspect of the game. I also doubted she was doing that. When you’re one of the most informed people in the room, there was no need to prove it. In general, those who felt the need to exhibit their greatness weren’t, in fact, great.

In today’s earlier game, Kansas City beat the Steelers in overtime. The Chiefs were ranked fifth in the AFC. If I was on the Coopers’ coaching staff, I’d already be looking at the Chiefs as our next opponent.