Chapter 35

Theo

T oday’s my last football game ever, and I never thought I’d ever see this day.

To say I woke up feeling better than I ever have is an understatement. Not only did I wake up with Marcela snuggled at my side, she made French toast for breakfast and then I feasted on her for dessert.

Something I didn’t expect was the sadness weighing heavy on my chest as I stepped into the locker room. Even if I hate this sport, I’ll always cherish the memories I made with these boys.

“Hey,” I shout for everyone in the room to hear. Some of my teammates whip their head my way, while a small group have their eyes glued to their phones. I already know what they’re looking at, and as much as I dislike Hunter, there’s no room for outside drama here. “Put your phones away. We have a championship to win. Your teammate’s a hell of a tight end, and we need him to win today.”

It nearly killed me to say that, but it’s what they need to hear to go out there and do their jobs today. No one says a word as they hurry to tuck their phones away.

When my eyes land on Hunter, he gives me a subtle nod in what I assume is his way of saying thank you. I reply with a curt nod because I need to be the bigger man. Besides, whatever’s going on with him is none of my business. And I need him to be in a good head space to help us today.

“This is our last game together, boys, and we’re not leaving without that trophy,” I shout, standing on the bench as everyone begins to form a circle around me.

“Coyotessss!” I cup my hands around my mouth, getting even louder. My team starts howling in response, and I yell, “Who’s gonna bring all they have?”

The howls boom throughout the room.

“Who’s gonna take home that trophy today?”

“Coyotes!” everyone shouts back at me as they slap helmets and backs.

One final game.

Green and white confetti rain from above, clouding my vision as pandemonium erupts around the stadium. The crowd’s cheers are so loud I can feel the vibration of it in my chest, but the thing I feel the most is freedom.

It washes over me in one big tidal wave, because I’m finally done.

My teammates are hyped up, jumping on me in a dog pile to celebrate our win against the University of New York. It was a tough match, a constant back and forth until the second half when we got an interception and scored a touchdown.

It gave us the momentum we needed to dominate, and we did just that.

And the best part? I had fun doing it. I finally played a game for someone other than my dad. I played for my teammates, and for myself, to end my career on a high note.

The sea of jerseys disperse, allowing me to stand and make my way to the crowd, right toward where I know Marcela is sitting.

She’s smiling proudly, her hands resting on her chest as I approach the rail and tap it.

“Get down here,” I call out to her.

Marcela makes the few steps down to the railing, making it easy for me to reach over and grip her hips as I lift her over and into my arms.

Unlike the last time we did this, Marcela kisses me as we spin in a circle, making my chest squeeze with the love I feel for her. I never thought I’d get this, and now here she is, loving me out in the open for everyone to see.

“You can rest now,” she says as the confetti is caught in her wavy hair.

I rest my forehead against hers, squeezing my eyes shut as I try to avoid the tears that want to fall. It doesn’t work.

“I love you and I’m proud of you,” Marcela says, her lips brushing against mine as her thumb wipes under my eyes. “It’s all done now.”

My arms tighten around her as I kiss her once more. “I love you so much,” my voice is hoarse with emotion as I speak.

“Theo!” I hear the familiar voice of Kelly Karson behind me, causing me to set Marcela down and tuck her into my side as I turn to face her.

“Great game you played today. How does it feel to finally bring a championship title home to RLU?”

“It’s a feeling like no other. These guys deserve it more than anything, and I’m happy we could get it done this year seeing as it will be my last.”

I talked to Coach the other day, so this won’t come as a shock to him. In fact, he was very understanding and applauded me for having the guts to go my own way. His support gave me the fuel to do what I needed to do today.

Kelly’s face drops, her mouth agape. She snaps out of it quickly, her professionalism taking over. “You’re not entering the draft this year?”

“No. Football has been the focal point of my life for as long as I can remember, and it’s time that I focus on something else now. This chapter of my life is over,” I say with finality.

“Wow,” Kelly seems baffled as she turns to her cameraman. “You heard it here first. The best QB in the country is officially done with football,” she pans back to me and asks, “What will you do now?”

“Something I’ll share if I’m comfortable with it,” I say as kindly as I can. Now I turn to her camera, looking it right in the eye. “Thank you to all of the fans who have supported my career, and this team. I loved seeing you guys in the stands and now it’s time I do something for me.”

And with those final words, I guide Marcela and I off the field as we exit through the tunnel I’ll never go through again.

With every step we take away from the field, I feel lighter as if I’m finally shedding that version of myself. I can’t wait to mold and create the person I actually want to be, with no limitations or expectations except for the ones I set for myself.

When we near the locker rooms, I spot Ally, David, Mason, and my dad waiting there.

“Theooo!” Mason squeals, running right to me. I bend down and scoop him into my arms.

“Hey, Sunny, did you enjoy the game?”

“Mhm,” he nods enthusiastically. “Pops told me that you were playing so good. I’m so happy you won, and then it rained green and white!”

I chuckle at his excitement. “I’m glad you had fun.”

“Cela!” he yells, squirming out of my arms so that he can get to her.

Seeing how much Mason has taken to her after the one day they spent together makes my chest pinch. I always knew I loved her, and seeing her become a part of my family only adds to that love.

“Hell of a game, brother,” Ally says, drawing my attention to her and David.

“It’s about time you won something,” he snickers, making me laugh.

“Thanks, you two.”

And then that leaves my dad. He eyes me warily, looking nothing like the closed off man I grew up with. I’ve never seen him so unsure of himself than the way he is in this moment, and I wonder what he’s about to say.

He stretches his hand out between us as he says, “Congrats on a great career, son. I’m proud of you.”

I take a minute, not saying anything as I make sure I heard him correctly. He gives me a subtle nod, letting me know he means it.

He’s accepting my choice.

Emotion bubbles to the surface, unable to be stopped as a single tear escapes me. I pull my dad into a hug, one he reciprocates as he hugs me tightly. “I’m sorry,” his words are muffled.

I don’t respond, because my automatic response wants to say it’s okay, but it never was. I simply accept the apology and let him take accountability.

“I want to talk about——”

“Let’s talk about that another time, okay? I want to sit down and be fully present for what you have to tell me, but the team will be coming down here any minute now,” I tell him as we release each other.

“Sure, sounds good.” He looks away from me, likely embarrassed about showing emotion.

“Thank you for coming today,” I turn to my family. “It means a lot.”

“We will support you no matter what. Unless it’s illegal, of course,” Ally quips, taking Mason’s hand in hers.

“She’s boring. If it’s illegal, come to me,” David jokes, making us all laugh. We say our goodbyes, while Marcela follows them to wait in the lobby while I quickly shower.

Once done, I empty my locker and make my way to the lobby in search of my girl. A wide smile spreads across my face when I find her waiting for me next to a vending machine.

“Ready?” she asks me, grabbing my hand in hers.

“Ready,” I tell her as we start walking out of the stadium.

Every step I take away from the field is therapeutic, more so than I ever imagined. I may have won the championship title today, but she’s the greatest thing I’ll ever have.

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