Chapter 42
Forty-Two
Blair
“I can’t believe you own so much pink,” Tyson says to Zack, who is wearing an almost-neon blazer with matching loafers.
Grinning like it’s his job, he counters, “If you must know, this was my Super Bowl pre-game fit. We obviously aren’t playing, so I had to at least wear it tonight.” He swipes at an invisible piece of lint on his shoulder.
My heart sings as Tyson and Zack banter back and forth.
When we lost in the conference final, I didn’t know what this night would look like for them.
I was bummed—I would have loved to have had an opportunity to play for a championship—but those feelings of missing out weren’t the same compared to the guys.
I’m not sure what I was expecting, but they handled the loss a hundred times better than whatever I was hoping for.
Sure, everyone was disappointed, but they kept it together until we made it back to the locker room.
There were tears. Hugs. Teammates being proud of each other—some in the last year of their contract and not knowing what comes next.
It was clear from the team’s reaction and the coaching staff’s closing remarks: we had a hell of a season and had nothing to be sorry about.
Zack has decided to host a party tonight, inviting his closest teammates and their families to watch the game. I can’t wait for my brother to show up; it’s going to be so much fun.
For now, we’re the first ones here, arriving early like Zack requested. He needed Tyson’s help hanging up some décor—which turned out to be almost life-size cutouts of the teammates he invited. Each one has our name, number, position, and a fun fact that Zack gleaned from us throughout the season.
Tyson’s fun fact reads “Knows The Greatest Showman soundtrack by heart,” and mine is “The queen of ordering the perfect amount for the table at any restaurant.”
“Blair! Finally!” someone yells, and I turn to see the most gorgeous crimson curls I’ve ever seen on someone. Emilie. Zack’s wife.
She practically runs over and then opens her arms for a hug. “I’m Emilie! It’s so good to finally meet you. Blair Miller… in person!”
I lean in and let her hug me. “Thank you for having us. Everyone is so excited. And I screamed when Zack told me you’d be here,” I gush, cheeks pinching from smiling.
“Here I am.” She spins and it’s official: I’m obsessed with her.
The sound of glass breaking pulls her attention from me to wherever Zack is causing some chaos.
She rolls her eyes but doesn’t look annoyed in the slightest. “I have to check on that, but you and me… later. Okay? I want to know everything.” She squeezes my shoulder as she heads to wherever Zack is sweeping up glass shards.
When it’s just the two of us, Tyson waves me over to the patio.
Snow drifts and sparkles through the February night as the sun starts to go down. The outdoor space has fire tables and containers of steamy cocktails—wouldn’t expect anything less from the host that is Zack Andersen.
Tyson grabs a mug and fills it with a ‘boozy even though we loozy’ hot chocolate.
We both laugh at the name, and I make a mental note to tell Zack that it made us actually laugh.
Tyson takes a spot on a loveseat, blankets and pillows strewn about, and I sit next to him.
He immediately wraps a blanket around our shoulders.
I take a sip of my hot chocolate—definitely boozy and absolutely delicious—and lean into Tyson.
“Do you remember the last time we were out here?” he asks, taking a sip of his own hot cocoa.
I nod, grinning. “Yes. Halloween. Could never forget.” I bump my shoulder into his.
His eyes turn to me, blue and bright. “I wanted to kiss you so bad. And then someone came out here yelling about coffee beans.” Tyson laughs—the kind that warms my belly.
He’s right. It was the closest almost—the moment we were about to cross. “The most epic I-think-you’re-going-to-kiss-me-but-you-never-do moment,” I say, almost mocking myself as I go back to the phrase.
As soon as the words are out of my mouth, Tyson’s lips are on mine. The kiss is sweet and full, like a promise we’re both eager to keep.
When he pulls back, his forehead presses to mine as he murmurs, “I’m always going to kiss you, Blair Miller. Every chance I get.”
“I know you will,” I reply before pressing my lips back to his.
I’ve never trusted anything the way I trust us. Tyson lifts me up, challenges me, and somehow always makes the world feel steadier beneath my feet. I’m desperate—in the best way—to see what’s next for us.
Because wherever that is, whatever comes our way, we’ll choose each other. We’ll fight for this love in every city, every season, and every adventure.
It’s time to be all in. Together. No more loving each other from the sidelines.
THE END