Page 12 of Well Aware

So, I hesitantly said, “I’m sensing a little bit of relief?”

She glanced at me as I stowed my bag between my legs and put on my seat belt before returning her gaze to the road.

“The Vanderbilts own the Cowgirls, as well as the Condors,” she said. “Did you know that?”

I shrugged. “Kind of. I mean, I knew they owned multiple sports teams, but I didn’t know which ones besides the Cowgirls.”

“Benedict Vanderbilt bought the Cowgirls for his youngest daughter, Sonja. Sonja’s favorite sport was soccer, and she loved watching and playing. A little bit before she died, she had suggested to her dad that they should purchase a women’s professional soccer team. Almost as a joke. And after she passed, Benedict decided to go through with her wishes. He purchased the Cowgirls and ran it pretty successfully until he had his heart attack three years ago. His doctors told him he was working too hard, so Benedict’s wife suggested he focus on one team and let their daughter, Seraphina, run the Cowgirls. And she ran it all right. Straight into the ground. She felt like Benedict loved the team more than he loved her and set out to destroy it.”

“She said that?” I gasped.

“Not to him, no.” She wrinkled her nose. “I can’t believe I’m even telling you this. But I’m so dang happy I could cry. Benedict has another child, Beaufort. Beaufort didn’t want to be the big, bad CEO. He had a job in Sawtooth and wanted it to stay that way. He turned down all the offers of running either sports team, and instead focused on his career here. But then Seraphina ran it into the ground, and Benedict begged Beaufort to fix it. And since Beaufort could never say no to his father, he agreed. He’s here for the season. If he can turn it around, he’s going to continue to run the team. And maybe the Condors after his father fully retires.”

“So he left his job for his father?” I asked. “That’s sweet.”

“It’s not just his father,” Ellis admitted. “Seraphina and Beaufort do not get along. At all. I have a feeling that he’s just doing this to stick it to Seraphina.”

I leaned toward her. “Why don’t they get along?”

She looked sad. “I forget that you don’t live here. You didn’t hear. It’s pretty common knowledge. Seraphina was driving her sister home from school when she got into an accident and hit another vehicle. Killed Sonja on impact.”

“Oh,” I said. “What a terrible accident.”

“That’s just it.” Ellis accelerated as she got onto a highway that was eighty-five miles an hour. “It wasn’t exactly an accident. Seraphina was drunk. Had apparently been drinking at school. She wasn’t fit to drive, and she lied to her brother when she said that she was. Beaufort allowed her to go get Sonja against his better judgment, and then Seraphina killed her.”

“Whoa,” I breathed. “That’s awful.”

“It is,” she agreed. “Sonja was three weeks away from graduating. She was sixteen. Seraphina was eighteen and graduating as well. Neither one walked at the ceremony.”

My stomach hurt for their family.

“I can see why Beaufort would be upset,” I admitted. “My parents were killed in a drunk driving incident. Then, a few years ago, my aunt and uncle, who’d adopted my sister and me, also died in a drunk driving accident. Only, they were the ones drinking and driving. I have zero empathy for drunk drivers. Underage or not.”

“I heard about your story,” Ellis continued. “That was one of the reason that I fought to get you here. I wanted you to help turn this team around before you retired.” She looked a little sheepish. “Plus, I knew that it would intimidate Seraphina. I’ve had enough of her shit. I’m tired of her digging the hole that will eventually bury the Cowgirls.”

Our talk the rest of the way to the stadium was less informative.

We talked about the weather and the area, but we did not broach any more topics about the Vanderbilt family.

At least not until we arrived at the stadium and drove around to the back entrance that led into the depths of the building.

“That’s Beaufort’s vehicle,” she said as we parked next to it. “Seraphina used to park sideways so no one could park next to her. She was the important one. She deserved to always have the closest parking spot.”

“She sounds like a really great person,” I lied.

“Just be happy you won’t have to deal with her this season,” she grumbled. “I’m hoping that I’m done, and that Beaufort will keep this job. But I highly doubt it. He agreed to a season, but that was all he was willing to agree to. He said that he loved his job, and honestly, I can’t blame him. This job is a high-stressor activity. Beaufort’s all about the end of the school day and enjoying the summer.”

I would’ve asked what she meant by that last comment but she bailed out of the car and walked to the door.

She unlocked it at the keypad, then said, “You got your key code?”

“I did,” I confirmed.

“I know you haven’t officially signed yet, but I have a feeling you’ll stay.” She smiled. “You sounded pretty tired of Texas.”

I groaned as we walked into the building and down a long corridor with slightly offensive LED lights lining it. “Texas is exhausting. I loved the team management, but there were a few players that were quite…”

“Assholeish?” she offered.