Page 21 of Sacked
“It was the Titans’ linebacker who put him on the IR.”
I shook my head. “It’s not happening again.”
“You’re sure.”
“I’d only been with the Coopers a few weeks when we played that game. Now I know this team, Vee. They’re good. They’re determined. The O-line will have it out for Pickard. He won’t get anywhere near Dennison.”
“I hope you’re right.”
Our food arrived. “Thank you,” we both said to Nathaniel. “Looks delicious.”
Vee snickered. “You look surer of your steak than you did the mussels.”
“They were still in the shells. Was everyone in your family behind signing Dennison?” It was a question that would either add validity to Clark’s story or discount it.
“Not really. Dad was. That’s all that mattered.”
Kind of confirmation.
I put those thoughts away and concentrated on my dinner. My steak was so tender, it cut with a butter knife.
As we ate, our conversation steered its way around Reid Hubbard or the Coopers. We talked about the cooling temperatures and shorter days. I caught her up to speed on Zane’s play with the Vikings. His team was struggling in the early season with injuries.
“Did the two of you ever want to play together?” she asked.
“We get along well enough. He’s enough younger that we didn’t even play together in high school. Playing on different teams works best.”
“Where did he play in college?”
I sat taller. “U of M his freshman year through senior.”
“Damn.”
“Yeah. He did better than me there.”
Her emerald eyes met mine. “You helped him, Fin. By the time he was off to college, he had a big brother in the NFL. We all know that names matter.”
“I’d never tell Zane that. I’d tell him he earned his place because he did.”
When Nathaniel asked if we were interested in dessert or after-dinner drinks, Vee vehemently shook her head.
“No. I can’t eat another bite.”
“Just our check,” I said.
Once he walked away, Vee leaned forward. “I can pay for my own meal.”
I narrowed my eyes. “You will, just not with money.”
“Oh?”
“Plans, remember?”
The sun was set and streetlights illuminated the sidewalk as we walked hand in hand back to the condo. We hesitated outside the Vine building.
“To the garage?” Vee asked.
I squeezed her hand. “No. I’m letting the world know that you’re mine. If there’s a reporter, let them take our picture.” I looked down at her. “Are you with me?”
