Page 62 of Scored

I nodded. “Someone will, but I told him to take your luggage up to our condo after you dropped it off. We should be all set.” The field was now dark. The only illumination shone from the emergency exits and our suite. I turned to Lip and Chris. “You’re welcome to stay as long as you’d like. We all need to exit through the door by the elevator. Most of the stadium is blocked off.”

Chris looked over to Brett, who was still manning the bar and buffet. “We’ll head out too. I’m sure Brett would like to get home.”

Our bartender smiled. “I’m happy to stay as long as necessary.”

“Thank you for your devotion, Brett,” I said as I placed my empty glass on the bar. While most of the game-day staff of Crystal Light had gone home, the cleaning and maintenance crews were hard at work.

It was the behind-the-scene aspects of stadium operations that most people never gave much thought.

Theo rode with Fin and Lisa with me on our way to the Vine. We listened to the halftime broadcast in the car. Throughout our drive, Lisa told me about my family. In some ways I didn’t recognize them. Then again, I was thrilled that she didn’t perceive them as a den of vipers. Either they could be cordial or Lisa saw the world through rose-colored glasses.

“It was sweet of you to invite us to stay with you,” she said as we met Fin and Theo in the parking garage.

“We could have gotten a hotel room,” Theo said.

I laughed. “Lexington is a little short on those for home games.”

Fin’s smile caught my eye. He knew all about Dad’s plans for a Super Bowl at Crystal Light.

“Besides,” Fin said, “it’s good luck for us to watch Zane’s games together.” He looked at me and winked. “Vee is two for two.”

“Let’s hope my presence works as well through the television.”

As Fin unlocked the door, I turned to the others. “You now have an invitation for next weekend. I don’t know who we’ll play, but the AFC plays the early game next Sunday.”

Stepping inside our condominium, I disengaged the security system and turned on the lights. In the foyer, near the front door was a small suitcase. “See. Your luggage is here.”

Lisa and Theo walked down the hallway toward the living room as Fin and I hung up our coats.

“This is gorgeous,” Lisa called from the kitchen. “Oh, and Vee, these roses are beautiful.”

My gaze met Fin’s as goose bumps scattered over my flesh. “Roses?”

“Fuck,” he murmured.

CHAPTER 25

Fin

Red rage simmered behind my eyelids as I hurried to the kitchen. On the island sat a large bouquet of amber-colored roses. Clenching my jaw, I turned to Vee. Her happy demeanor of seconds ago was gone. Anxiety radiated from her being as she wrapped her arms around her midsection.

“What does the card say?” Vee asked.

Mom and Dad stood silently as I reached for the small envelope.

My mother stepped forward. “Is something wrong?”

“We don’t know,” I replied. On the front of the envelope, Maeve Hubbard was written in swirling penmanship. On the back was the name of the florist—Mishler Florist. I opened the flap and pulled out the small card. The message was typed.

I began to read aloud. “Congratulations on another win. That spotlight feels warm today. The temperature will rise. How hot is too hot? What will happen when the truth comes out? Even your daddy couldn’t stop it.” I looked up from the card to Vee. “I’m calling Ethan or Jacob.”

Vee nodded. “You could go talk in person to whoever is on duty.” She tipped her head toward the flowers. “Take those with you. They can use them in the lobby or throw them away. I don’t care.”

Mom wrapped her arm around Vee’s shoulders. “Honey, you’re shaking. I don’t understand.”

Swallowing, Vee inhaled. “We don’t either.”

I looked at the envelope lying on the counter. “They came from Mishler Florist.”