Double Score

“Yes, ma’am. They’re in the dining room.”

I walked into the McCade formal dining room. The table was set with crystal and china. I gawked at the roses and tulips in china vases.

“Nessa.” Grammy’s smile was bright. She clutched Danny’s hand.

“Good morning, Grammy.” I walked over to her to kiss her cheek.

“Not going to tell me good morning?”

I rolled my eyes at Danny. “Good morning.”

“Seems like she’s not completely happy to see me.” He spoke to Grammy like I wasn’t sitting across from him.

“Oh, she is. I know she’s glad you’re here. It’s going to take so much pressure off her.”

My head whipped toward her. “What are you talking about?”

“Danny’s back. He’s a part of the family. He’s a McCade. Naturally, he should take over running the Warriors.”

My fingernails dug into my palms. “Why? Because he’s a guy? Because he has a penis you think he should take the team?”

Grammy’s mouth opened. “Nessa, that is crude.”

“Isn’t that what you’re saying? That Y chromosome he has makes him more qualified than me? Or is it the eight years of professional drinking and sleeping around that makes him a good asset to the franchise?”

The maid walked in with a tray of coffee on the silver service. I turned my nose at it. It smelled horrible.

“No thank you.” I waved her off when she tried to pour a cup for me.

“Nessa, I have never kept my opinion of your grandfather’s plan a secret. I’ve always thought it was ludicrous. It’s not in your nature, dear. You’re a creative spirit. You always have been. He only left you the team because he was out of options. Our options just increased.” She looked satisfied with herself.

I wasn’t going to back down. I thought about all the things that had happened this season. The way I had re-negotiated each and every contract on the team. The raises I had given the employees. The plans to redesign the facilities. The contract for the new practice field.

And they were winning. Seven games were in the W column. The guys were no doubt going far in the playoffs. I had even let myself dream we’d end up in New Orleans for the Super Bowl in February.

On top of that our ticket sales were up. I had signed two new network deals. For someone who wasn’t a business woman I had found my footing. I wasn’t giving up one inch to them.

“No.” I stared at them.

“What?” Danny looked startled.

“I said no.” I threw the linen napkin on the table. “You can’t have my team.”

Grammy chocked on her coffee. “Nessa!”

“I’m sorry Grammy. Or maybe I’m not sorry for saying it. But I was raised a warrior and this is me finally becoming one. If you want my team, you’re going to have to fight me for it.”

I stormed out of the family house. Past the portrait of my grandfather in the hall. Over the past couple of months I had done everything the opposite of that man, until this moment. I looked at him as I marched into the sun.

I pulled out my cell phone as I slid behind the wheel of my car.

“Charlie, I’m going to need to see you at the office. I’ll be there in twenty minutes.”

I hung up as I raced through the guard gate and toward Austin. Toward my team.

40

Vanessa