Double Score

“I would be happy to have your input on things at the office. I realize there are things you know about the team I haven’t even thought about. Maybe even some secrets.” I smiled slightly. “I’m not asking you to choose between your grandchildren. I wouldn’t put you in that position. I’m still your granddaughter either way. I’m still going to love you either way.”

I stared at my brother. “But you are an embarrassment to this family. While I’ve been trying to rebuild our name and bring the team’s reputation back, all you’ve done is destroy it. The team doesn’t want you as the owner. I have a hundred men who will back me, Danny. And that’s before I even set my legal team loose.”

I crossed my arms and waited for a response.

My grandmother clutched her pearls and sat on the edge of the Warriors couch. “I-I, Nessa, you’ve never sounded so sure.”

I smiled. “I am certain of this. I was meant to run this team. It might have been Granddad’s happy accident.”

Danny rolled his eyes. “You act like you’re some kind of saint.”

“She is,” my grandmother snapped. “She most certainly is.”

“Fuck it.” Danny stood. “Give me some money and I’ll go. I can’t stand all this estrogen.”

I stared at him. “What?”

“You heard me. Don’t make me beg. Give me a million. I’ll leave.”

My grandmother rushed over to the drawer of my grandfather’s desk. “Grammy, don’t write him a check for that. You don’t owe him anything. No one does. He can get a job.”

“I most certainly will.” She scribbled his name and the figure and ripped it from the trust. “You have to take this to my accountant.” She handed it to him. Danny folded it in half and tucked it in his pocket.

“Grammy,” I groaned.

“It’s done.” She looked at me. “Pack your things, Danny. You are welcome back when you’ve accomplished something.”

My mouth hung open. I couldn’t believe it.

He scowled, walking from the room.

Grammy turned to me. “I’m sorry. I don’t know what I was thinking. The last few months have been a cold dark dream.”

I pulled her into a hug. Something she didn’t let me do very often. “It’s ok. I know you’re still hurting.”

I felt her tiny arms circle me. “I was a royal bitch, wasn’t I?”

I burst out laughing. “I’ve never heard you curse. Ever.”

She looked at me. “We all have secrets.”

Epilogue

I pressed the button on the side of the speaker. “Testing. Testing. One. Two Three.”

“Roger that.”

I giggled when I heard Isaac on the other end.

I tapped the button again. “Ok, this works.” I smiled.

Dylan walked in the room carrying bags from the shower. “I think this is the last of it.” He deposited them on the floor. “How many gifts does one baby need?”

I started pulling more of the presents out and lining them up just as Isaac appeared with the remote to the baby monitor.

“This thing is awesome. It has great video quality.” He plugged it into the charger. “What else did we get?”

I was waiting for them to find the surprise I had tucked away in the bags. I had slipped it in when they weren’t looking.