Epilogue - Evan
Six Years Later
Hudson was nervous as we sat in the designated area in Madison Square Garden. I had expected to see the calm, collected governor I fell in love. His usual cool under-pressure demeanor had left him hours ago.
And I could understand why. But I’d been through this before, and he just needed to ride it out. My job as his supportive husband was to sit back and hold his hand.
Our son, Jackson “Jack” Gatlin, was one of the top quarterback prospects in the NFL draft this year. He’d switched positions when his high school coach needed a quarterback. And of course, Uncle Lennox was there to coach him the entire way.
Hudson stood quietly, surveying the green room we were waiting in and other players.
“Sweetheart, don’t you want to sit down?”
“Yeah Dad, you’re making me nervous.”
My son looked at me. “Pops, tell him to chill out.”
I smiled and got up to talk to my husband.
“You need to relax, sweetheart. It’s going to be fine. I’ve been through this, remember?”
“What if an East Coast team selects him? He’ll be on the other side of the country, Evan. We’ll never see him.”
I had to smile at him. “I hate to tell you this, Governor, but he’s an adult. He has a college degree and everything. It will be fine.”
Yes, I still called him governor, even though he’d been out of office for six years. He’d spent that time working with Preston and doting on our children. Poor kids.
“I know he is, but?—”
I kissed him to shut him up. But it was only a temporary solution because he turned to Aidan Hayes, Jack’s agent. He’d talked Aidan into taking Jack as a client.
“Do you have a feeling about which team might select him?”
Aiden smiled placatingly. “All I can say is there is interest from several teams. Atlanta is one. Green Bay and New York were also interested. But that doesn’t mean that’s where he’ll land.”
Hudson’s worst nightmare caused him to stiffen in my arms. He looked up at me. “We’re gonna need to buy a plane.”
I burst out laughing as Jack shook his head and rolled his eyes. “Seriously, Dad.”
Aidan looked down at his phone. “It won’t be much longer.”
Hudson looked at the three of us. “Why are you all so calm?”
As I started to answer, one of the producers from the Sports Network approached us.
“Good evening, gentlemen. We’re going to seat you at table five. Keep in mind you’ll be on camera. Do you remember what you need to do?”
Jack nodded. “Yes, I’m good.”
“Excellent. If you’ll follow me, we’ll get you to your table.”
Jack looked at Hudson, then reached down to hug him. “Thanks for listening to Pops all those years ago.”
Hudson kissed his cheek and let him go. I wanted to tease him, but I’d wait.
We followed Mark to the table and took a seat. The league invited all the players who were projected to go in the first round to take these coveted spots.
The arena was full of football fans, here to celebrate their favorite team selections. Music blared and lights flashed as players’ faces and a brief highlight played on the Jumbo Tron above. To say the atmosphere was electric would be an understatement.
Jack, cool as ever, looked around and smiled, taking it all in.
I was so fucking proud of him and the man he’d become. He’d followed in my footsteps by not hiding his sexuality. He was openly bisexual and made no effort to hide it.
When the music stopped, the commissioner walked out onto the stage and welcomed everyone. He announced Atlanta was on the clock for the first pick and walked off stage.
Hudson was going to need a drink after this was over.
I looked up at the selection board and took out my phone to take a photo. The Storm had the twenty-fifth selection, meaning there was little chance Jack would be playing there. The other three California teams had higher selections, but you never knew what might happen.
When the notification of a selection being made played over the airways, the commissioner walked back onto the stage. He looked into the camera and read from his card.
Hudson held his breath, while Jack and Aidan remained relaxed.
“With the first selection of the NFL Draft, the Atlanta Blaze select quarterback Chad Mills, from the University of Michigan.”
Hudson released a breath and smiled at me. “One down.”
As the draft selections continued, the last team on Aidan’s list, New York, was on the clock. Before time was up, the commissioner announced a trade.
“The New York Kings have traded their sixth selection for two second-round selections and one third-round selection. They have three minutes to make their selection.”
When he walked away, Jack’s phone rang. This was it.
He looked down at the screen and showed it to Aidan. He clapped him on the shoulder.
My son answered his phone.
“Hello?” Jack grinned as he spoke. “Yes, sir. I’m very happy. Thank you, sir. I look forward to it.”
He ended the call and looked at his father. “It’s going to be fine. I promise.”
Hudson gawked at him. “You’re not going to tell us?”
Jack smiled. “You’re on camera, Governor. And no.”
He was savoring his moment as Aidan threw his head back and laughed.
The notification sounded, and the commissioner walked onto the stage. Hudson dug his fingers into my thigh until I reached for his hand.
“With the sixth selection of the NFL Draft, the Portland Pirates select Jackson Gatlin, the quarterback from the University of Southern California.”
Jack stood and shook Aidan’s hand as we clapped. Hudson stood to hug him, but Jack had other ideas. He wrapped his long arms around both of us, bringing tears to our eyes.
“Thanks for being the best parents I could have asked for.”
Tears filled my eyes as he released us to make his way on stage. The commissioner met him and handed him a Portland Pirates baseball cap, then the black jersey with the number one and “Gatlin” printed on the back.
Our son stood for photos as we looked on. Glancing at Aidan, I asked the question I knew Hudson wanted to know.
“Did you make this happen?”
He shrugged. “Greer made it happen. He was impressed with Jack’s performance and told the GM to get him, whatever the cost.”
As we watched Jack leave the stage for his interview, we sat down to watch. But I had one more question for Aidan.
“Who called him?”
Aidan smiled. “Greer. He told me to tell you he’d give Jack a good start in the league, then if he wanted to go to the Storm, he’d make it happen.”
I nodded, as the emotions welled inside me. Hudson reached for my hand and looked up at me.
“He’s going to do well there, but we’re still going to need a plane.”
I laughed and kissed him on the cheek. “Whatever you want, Governor. I’m here for it.”