38. Chapter Thirty-Eight
Vaughn
I t’s match day again, and as I set my feet on the field for the big game, the electricity in the stadium is palpable. The crowd buzzes with excitement. Adrenaline courses through my veins. This is what I live for: competition, the roar of the fans, and proving myself to the world once again.
With the whistle blown and the game underway, my focus sharpens. Today, I’m not just playing for myself—I’m playing for my team, for the fans, and for Rachel, who is in the stands supporting me. She’s a bright spot in the crowd, and her presence fills me with determination.
The game unfolds like a perfectly choreographed play. We move the ball with precision and speed, working seamlessly together. Every tackle, every shot, every pass brings us closer to victory. The moments of celebration blur together as skill and teamwork merge into a beautiful rhythm. I lose myself in the tempo of the game.
On the final whistle, the crowd is screaming so loud you can’t hear. New York City FC has won. We’ve done it. I can hardly believe it. Everyone’s cheering, and I feel like I’m part of a celebration. Triumph fills me.
I turn my head and see my family in the stands. Their faces show both shock and joy at seeing this side of me, the side hidden under layers and layers of pressure and expectations. The barrier between us closes quickly as I run toward them.
“Mom! Dad!” I call out as I throw my arms around them, pulling them into a tight embrace. “I’m so glad you’re here!”
“I can’t believe it!” my mom exclaims. “You played amazing!”
My voice is thick with emotion, I apologize. “I say sorry for everything. I’ve been so centered on my career that I’ve neglected to realize how much I need you two. I was wrong to push you away. I’ve always done everything you’ve asked, and I took that for granted.”
My dad slaps me on the back, his face full of understanding. “You were always our guy, Vaughn. That’s all we’re happy to see.”
I see the surprise on their faces as I pull back. Here, I can feel it—this shift, this moment I’ve been waiting for in our relationship. I know there is a long way to mend the gaps I’ve created, but today feels like the beginning.
I turn to the stands again, searching for Rachel in the crowd. I see her, and my heart jumps. Her smile brightens the entire stadium. She’s beaming. In the past few days we’ve forged a connection that’s solidified, and I want to share this moment with her.
Adrenaline still rushing through me, I push my way through the throng of teammates and fans. In the background, I can hear cheers and music blaring, but all I can focus on is getting to Rachel.
I don’t hesitate when I finally get to her. Joy fills my heart, and I sweep her off the floor into my arms.
“We did it!” I exclaim, looking into her eyes, the warmth of her presence grounding me in the chaos.
“You were incredible!” she replies, laughter bubbling up as I set her down. “I’m so proud of you!”
But I can’t wait any longer. I lean in and kiss her right in front of the world—in a bold move. It is a passionate kiss full of relief and a promise to face whatever comes together. The crowd around us cheers, and I feel their warmth surrounding us.
I pull apart and see her cheeks flushed with happiness. “You just kissed me in front of everyone.” She laughs, a sparkle in her eyes.
“I would do it a thousand times over,” I reply, my heart swelling with love for her. “Through all this chaos, you have been my rock. I want you to know how much I love you.”
I feel the happiness radiating from her as she smiles wider. Our ears and eyes fade into the distance as we stand—two souls united in joy.
Pulling her toward the celebration area, I tell her, “Let’s celebrate.” I turn back to my family, smiling at them.
This is a day of change for me. I’m more than a player. I’m a son and a partner, and I’m ready to embrace all the love and support that’s there. I commit to repairing my relationships and facing the challenges ahead with Rachel by my side.
As the cheers and laughter mix into a big, loud, happy noise all around us, I cannot help but feel like the luckiest man alive. I look down at Rachel’s face. She is glowing with happiness, and my heart swells. This feels surreal, like a dream I never want to wake up from.
“Rachel,” I say, my voice rising above the noise. “Will you be mine?”
It’s a loaded question, and I can see a surprise flash across her features. She doesn’t answer for a moment, her eyes wide in disbelief.
“Are you serious?” she finally asks, her voice barely above a whisper.
I nod, this moment weighing on us. “I am. I want you to be my partner for the sake of the word itself.”
She blinks, trying to process my words, and I know that I can see joy, confusion, and something deeper in her eyes. “Do you . . . do you really like me?” she asks tentatively, as if testing the waters.
I can’t help but smile when I shake my head. “No, Rachel. I don’t just like you. I love you.”
As the words leave my lips, they feel powerful, and her expression changes. As she smiles, her eyes light up, and for a split second, I believe she might explode with the happiness radiating from her. Her breath always catches in her throat when she takes a step closer.
“You love me?” she repeats, disbelief and joy mingling in her voice.
“Yeah,” I say, my heart racing. “For a while, I’ve loved you. I just can’t imagine my life without you.”
I can’t help but laugh at how the purest joy pours from Rachel’s face as it breaks into the most beautiful smile. “You’re serious! Oh my God, Vaughn!” Her excitement bubbles over, and she jumps up and down, and I can’t help but laugh with her.
“I’m serious!” I say, pulling her into a tight embrace again. Her body, pressed to mine, feels warm. It is like home, and I never want to let her go.
“Okay, okay,” I say, pulling back slightly, my eyes sparkling with mischief. “Now you have to go with me to the locker room. I want to show you off to as many people as possible!”
With a half-amused, half-skeptical look, Rachel raises an eyebrow. “You want to show me off? Isn’t that a bit much?”
“Please!” I beg. “I want them to know that you’re mine and that you love me! It’s a big deal!”
My enthusiasm is too much for her to resist. “Alright, you win. Let’s go.”
Her hand grips mine tightly as we push through the crowd toward the locker room. The atmosphere is still electric—the energy of victory, the sweet perfume of it all lingering in the air.
I’m nervous and excited as we get closer to the locker room. I’m about to share this moment with my teammates—to tell them that Rachel and I are together. It’s like a new chapter, one full of promise and love.
Rachel stops at the door to the locker room and looks up at me, her face serious for a moment. “Are you ready for this?” she asks softly.
I nod and squeeze her hand reassuringly. “Absolutely. I wouldn’t rather be anywhere else.”
With that, I open the door, and we are hit by celebratory sights and sounds like a wave. The moment they see us, the room goes quiet. My teammates, still buzzing from the win, are high-fiving and cheering, but all eyes are now on us.
I can feel their gazes, and I take a deep breath. “Hey, everyone!” I call out, breaking the silence. “I want you all to meet my girlfriend, Rachel!”
The cheers around the room fade for a moment, replaced by surprise on everyone’s faces. But it quickly shifts to excitement. Rachel waves to the group, her smile radiant. Pride swells in me as I see how effortlessly she fits into my world, as though she’s always belonged here.
One of my teammates shouts out, “Vaughn’s in love!” The room erupts into howls and playful teasing.
Rachel is beaming, and I can’t stop smiling as I pull her closer to me. I laugh along with my teammates. It’s the camaraderie and joy of the moment, and for the first time in a long while, I feel like everything is finally coming together.
“Congratulations, man!” another teammate calls out, slapping me on the back. “You’ve got yourself a great one.”
Their acceptance and excitement fill me with even more confidence in my decision. I glance down at Rachel. Her eyes light up with joy, and I know this is just the beginning.
Together, we celebrate, and I can’t shake the contentment coursing through me. In the past few weeks, I’ve faced chaos and uncertainty, but now, I feel more grounded than ever. With Rachel by my side, I know I can face anything.
Nothing Collins tries next will stop me from protecting what we have. I’ll fight for her. We’ll fight together, and our love will shine bright against any darkness that dares to come our way.
Tonight, we’re not just celebrating a victory in the game but a victory in our relationship. I can’t wait to see what’s next in this journey.