Epilogue
JESSE
The sun is sliding down behind the dunes, smearing the sky in bright orange and pinks. The air smells like salt and smoke from the bonfire. Every so often a wave slaps the sand and retreats with a sigh.
Will and Ari’s argument drifts from the porch before they disappear into the house.
Luc’s dad and my mom are shoulder to shoulder at the grill, shucking oysters and laughing, enjoying each other’s company.
Down at the waterline, Luc’s sisters shriek as a cold wave collapses over their ankles.
Shawna, Naz, and Scott are sitting around a picnic table, discussing the merits of hockey romance.
I’m barefoot in the sand with my guitar balanced across my lap, idly picking at a tune while the fire crackles beside me. Luc sits behind me, his back against a log, his long legs stretched on either side of me, one hand resting warm and easy around my shoulder.
I turn my head to glance back at him, and my chest goes tight in the best way. I think about the first time I saw him sitting in this exact spot, almost six years ago exactly.. A stranger at a bonfire, stoic, quiet, brooding strength and a blush that made me hold my breath.
I still don’t know how I left that morning without even knowing his name. I built my entire life chasing the ghost of that connection. And somehow, after all the noise, the fear, the cameras, the chaos, we made it here.
I know his name now. And I know without a doubt that he loves me as much as I love him.
He was willing to lay it all out on the line, which thankfully didn’t end up costing him his career.
Since the public’s response to Luc’s grand gesture was overwhelmingly positive, the NFL Commissioner was more lenient than he admittedly wanted to be, likely not wanting to risk public opinion by punishing Luc too harshly.
It helped that his coach and the owner of the Shreveport Cyclones advocated and stood up for him.
Luc may never be able to turn down another press interview again, but he seems okay with the consequences.
It’s been almost three months of meetings and internal hearings, but we can finally relax and just enjoy each other.
Luc looks down at me with his slow, crooked smile he once tried to keep hidden from the world. He leans in, easy and sure, and kisses me. It’s just a soft press of lips, but it’s more than that. It’s memories and love and family and everything we fought for.
The fire snaps, a wave folds over the shore, and the night exhales around us.
For the first time in forever, it’s quiet where it matters. And it’s ours.