Page 46 of Scored

“I didn’t know Reid had that procedure.” Aunt Rachel shrugged. “I mean it’s not uncommon.” She laughed. “It wasn’t like when we teased him about what it took to freeze sperm.”

“Dad froze sperm?” It reminded me of the thoroughbred at Meadow Farms. Preston said it would be all right if they had to put down the horse because they had plenty of frozen sperm.

She tapped her chin. “Gosh, it was years ago. You’re thirty-four. It was probably at least thirty years ago.”

“So you’re telling me I have thousands of potential brothers or sisters on ice?”

Aunt Rachel laughed. “I haven’t thought about that in years. It was after Olivia and before Daphne. Your grandfather was actually the reason. Dad wanted Reid to carry on the Hubbard name. Reid wasn’t in the market for another wife.” She shook her head. “I think he did it to shut our father up on the subject. Obviously, Vee, he was happy with his one daughter.”

“Who else knew about the frozen sperm?”

She shrugged. “Darin did. I’d assume Daphne.”

“They were married. Why would she need artificial insemination? And how long is it good for?”

“Goodness, this conversation has taken a strange turn from the Coopers to this.” Her eyes opened wide. “Speaking of Daphne, did you know that detective, Olson or Oldson…?”

“Oldson.”

“He questioned Daphne last week about the night before and morning of Reid’s accident, the morning after we returned from Houston.”

“I heard.”

Aunt Rachel shook her head. “I don’t know what to think.”

I leaned forward and spoke softly. “Do you think Daphne is capable of…of Dad’s death?”

“No,” she answered quickly. “Then again, I don’t believe Bre is either. I believe that what occurred was what they originally called it—an accident.”

I thought of something. “I forgot to mention something during our meeting this morning. I invited Fin’s parents to the family suite for Saturday’s game.”

“Will you be in the suite?”

“No. I’ll be on the sidelines. I’ve spoken to Lip and Leigh; they promised to welcome Theo and Lisa Graham.”

“Of course, we all will. That game in Green Bay was something else.”

“It was electric.” I took a last bite of my salad, spearing a raspberry. “After our game on Saturday, the Vikings take on the Seahawks.”

“I don’t want to see any first seed go down, but if one does, it won’t be the Coopers.”

“Are you and Uncle Darin going to be at the pregame party Friday night?” I asked.

“Are you?”

I nodded. “I’ll be there, stag.” A giggle bubbled from my lips. “Don threatened to bench any player who was seen there. This morning over coffee, Coach told me how surprised he was that the Bills beat the Jags. He said all his research was concentrated on the Jags. He’s starting from scratch.”

“I have faith in our coaches.”

“I do too.” I looked down at my phone. “I need to be going. More meetings with my directors this afternoon.” There was a text message from Jen.

“Does Jen accompany you on those?”

Standing, I shook my head. “She should.”

“She should.”

I placed my food container in the trash can and gathered my things. “I enjoy our lunches.”