Epilogue
Super Bowl Sunday
“Hold the line. Hold the line. ” In the owner’s box, surrounded by family, friends, and coworkers, Hayden screamed as the Kings were facing pressure at their forty-yard line. They were sixty seconds away from winning the Super Bowl, but in football time a minute was a long way away.
“Ow.” Armi stuck a finger in his ear and wiggled it. “I think you broke the sound barrier.”
“I can’t believe I’m so excited about a football game, but it’s the Super Bowl and we’re about to win it.” He jumped out of his seat.
“Shh.” His father hugged him and covered his mouth. “Don’t jinx it.” He threw his arm around Armi next. “I never thought I’d be able to afford even a ticket to a Super Bowl game, but to see it from the owner’s box is beyond my wildest fantasy. Thank you.”
“It means even more to have everyone here who matters most to me.” Armi’s eyes glittered bright with true happiness. “I never understood the how and why people get so invested in a game, but now I do.” He pumped his fist. “Go Kings!”
The crowd roared as the quarterback was sacked and the Portland Stingers lost another ten yards, making it fourth and twelve.
Trevor and Marianne high-fived Hayden. “We’re so looking forward to vacation next week with you two. Ten days in Bali. Total paradise.”
Hayden couldn’t wait, especially since he and Armi were taking the full month. “It’s gonna be amazing. The pictures I’ve seen of the resort are incredible. I’ve never been so far away from home.” His gaze found Armi, who was surrounded by the board and Hayden’s father, all of them intent on what was unfolding on the field. “But as long as Armi’s there…” Realizing how sentimental that sounded, he ducked his head.
“Don’t be embarrassed.” Marianne kissed his cheek. “Have I told you how much we love you and Armi together?”
“Not at all, Marianne, just every time you see them,” Trevor joked, laughing harder when she glared at him.
“You be quiet. Don’t pretend you haven’t said the same to me. We’ve never seen Armi so filled with self-confidence and self-love, but most importantly, he’s happy for the first time in all the years we’ve known him. Thank you.”
“I’m the one who should be thanking you for being his friends and recognizing what I did—that he’s a special man and deserves the best.”
“I’ve got the best.” Warm lips tickled his ear. “You.”
“This is so exciting. Go Kings!” his mother cheered, raising her margarita to toast Eloise, and he laughed. The two had become close friends. They talked all the time, and their families had spent the holidays together—Thanksgiving at his parents’ house upstate and Christmas in the city at the town house. Hayden couldn’t help but love the sight of them wearing matching Kings jerseys, planning a girls’ weekend at a spa out west.
“Twenty seconds left,” Troy called out.
“I’m so nervous. Is this really happening?” Armi held a bottle of Dom Pérignon in preparation for the big win.
“It’s happening.” Hayden pointed. “Look. They’re going for a Hail Mary, and I’ll bet a whole bag of Flamin’ Hot Cheetos that our defense will be all over the receiver’s ass.”
Hayden watched Armi and his father, along with Troy, Dex Reiner—their newly hired GM—and Felix Amaro, the legal counsel, shout and point to the field as the quarterback did exactly as he’d predicted, but the King’s star linebacker caught the ball in the end zone for an interception.
Everyone erupted in shouts, and Hayden’s ears rang. The crowd went wild, and the floor beneath them shook.
“They did it! Oh my God, they’re Super Bowl champs.” Armi flung his arms around Hayden. “We won! We won!” he screamed.
“We sure did. And they’re winners because of you.” They hugged, and Hayden watched as Armi was swept up by everyone in congratulations and accolades. His flushed face was bright with happiness, and Hayden recorded it all on his phone, wanting to keep this moment for Armi, forever.
With a decidedly evil grin, Troy handed him a bottle of champagne. “You know what they do to the coach with Gatorade. I think we need to do it to Armi.”
“I like the way you think.”
Troy had stepped up and become the confidant Armi needed to maintain the running of the Kings after Russell and Jacob left. He’d acted as an interim GM and was instrumental in giving Armi advice in hiring their new GM and legal counsel. The team’s inner circle was now run as a truly collaborative effort.
Hayden positioned himself behind Armi, who was accepting congratulations from other club owners who’d crowded into their box. He dumped the contents of the bottle over Armi’s head, yelling, “Super Bowl champs!”
Armi jumped and spun to face him, pretending outrage. “I can’t believe you did that.”
“Blame it on Troy. It was all his idea.”
“I have a better one.” With a wicked glint in his eyes, Armi grabbed him, and to clapping and shouts, spoke so only Hayden could hear.
“As long as I have you, I’m a winner. Kiss me.”
“Now that’s the best idea you’ve ever had.”