Epilogue One Cass
Standing on the sidelines screaming my head off was just going to be a part of my life, I was sure of it.
My guys, West and Hayes, were committed to going professional, and after watching them play in the championship game, I knew our football journey together was just getting started.
Cash, too, had been amazing, but he’d already made it known that the championship game would be his last game.
West and Hayes had quickly gotten over it, especially West since Cash had volunteered to do some repairs on his truck.
He spotted me and caught me when I jumped into his arms. There were tears in his eyes as he spun me around and I could tell he was embarrassed by them but I shoved his helmet off and kissed him with everything I had in me.
His sweat coated my chin and cheeks but I didn’t care.
He’d just played his last game ever and I could feel the emotions rolling off of him.
“I’m so proud of you, baby.” I peppered kisses all over his face and grinned at him while wiping his tears away. “You did amazing.”
He turned us away from one of the cameras and ran his hand through my hair. “You’re okay with me not being this man anymore?”
I tugged at his hair. “I’m in love with you, Cash Ford. I don’t care what you do, as long as you’re happy and come home to me.”
West and Hayes shoved their way over to us and each wrapped their arms around us. Hayes jumped up and down, jostling us, and spreading his wild excitement. “You fucking did it, Cash! You went out like a goddamn hero!”
“Our brother, the fucking best!” West grabbed Cash’s head and planted a big kiss on his forehead. “Couldn’t be prouder of you, man!”
Cash laughed and wiped at his forehead. “You know what this means?”
West slipped behind me and gripped my waist. “Yeah, yeah, we already know. You get our girl first.”
I reached back to cup West’s neck. “He was already getting me first.”
“Fuck right, I’m getting you first. You’re going to worship me tonight, aren’t you, baby?” Cash kissed me hard and nipped my lip. “With my game paint all over your face you already look like my dirty little mechanic.”
I did my best to wipe my face clean and grinned. I was ready for a long night with my guys. I was ready for a long life with them. They’d already proven just how serious they were about me and things just felt safer and safer by the day.
“Interview time, assholes!” Coach James patted Hayes on the shoulder and nodded to the waiting journalists. “They’re all waiting on y’all!”
The sheriff acting as security behind Coach stepped forward and grinned. “You boys played a damn good game. And you, miss, you keep these boys in line. And if your aunt ever gets tired of that Elvis guy, give her my card.”
I laughed as I took the card. “Elvis seems to be sticking around. But I’ll tell her she has an admirer.”
Cash put me down so they could do interviews but when I tried to slip out of the way they all three reached for me and pulled me back into frame.
Before I could slap their hands away because I was sure I was going to be asked to get out of their way, one of the journalists stepped forward with a mic and smiled at me.
“You can stay, Cass! Everyone wants to see the four of you together.” The guy glanced at my guys but brought his attention right back to me. “Any plans for celebrating tonight?”
Hayes wrapped his arm around my chest and flashed a dangerous smile. He’d proven to have a shorter fuse than either of his brothers since meeting me and it would’ve been a lie for me to say I didn’t like it. “She’s got big plans for celebrating. With us.”
I gripped his forearm and tried to contain a smirk. “We’re going to celebrate with the team, of course. All of these guys have worked so hard to get here and they deserve to let loose tonight.”
“Since you’re here, Cass, can you comment on the way the tide has turned in your favor?” An older man stepped forward. “It wasn’t too long ago that everyone shared a…worse opinion of you.”
West scowled until I reached over and took his hand. They were so protective over me but I didn’t need them to be. My skin had grown a lot tougher since knowing the people who were supposed to love me loved me.
“I have to say that it’s a lot nicer than being called names all the time.
But the tides are the tides. They change.
Society can be fickle, especially when it comes to women.
I’m not foolish enough to let any of it go to my head or to think I’m someone special because of it.
I’m just a normal woman who happens to be in love with three amazing men.
The fact that anyone cares to talk about me is still a little silly to me.
The real stars are the men behind me. The power and drive that they played with tonight was stunning.
They fought for this win and they all deserve to go down in history for fighting back from what most considered would be the end of their careers.
So, yeah, focus on the real stars here, please. ”
Cash planted a kiss on the top of my head and whispered to me. “I love you, baby.”
The way the crowd awed made it clear they’d heard him but thankfully another reporter was ready to move on. Unfortunately, it didn’t appear they were ready to focus on the game just yet.
A beautiful blonde stepped closer and flashed a sweet smile. “What are your thoughts on your father’s divorce with social media star-”
“What Sam Ford does in his life is his own choice. We can’t comment on what he does or what’s currently going on.
We’re separating ourselves from that connection and plan to work hard to prove that we’re this good because of who we are and not because of a shared last name.
” Hayes tightened his arm around me and grunted. “Any football questions?”
The questions came faster after that.
“Is Cass really your message therapist?”
“Yeah. After some convincing she came back to the staff and everyone’s feeling a lot less tense because of it.”
“Are you really giving up football, Cash?”
“Yep. I’ve loved playing with my brothers but it’s not what I want to do forever. I’ll be on the sidelines with Cassidy from now on, supporting my brothers as they kill it in their pro careers.”
“West, how’s your back?”
I looked up at him and watched him consider how he wanted to answer. Finally, he just shrugged. “I’ll ask my massage therapist for an extra massage tonight and then I’ll be as good as new. Even if I feel fine, it never hurts to position yourself for an extra win.”
The crowd laughed when I rolled my eyes at him. The questions kept coming until eventually Deacon Holmes showed up and ended it. He’d stuck around since the front yard brawl, claiming he needed to keep an eye on us but I had a feeling he was hiding from Kate, his coworker who seemed to hate him.
He managed to wait a while while the guys celebrated on the field with their teammates but when I saw him get fidgety, I slipped away from them and pulled him aside so they could have more time on the field.
He sighed at me, still not a big fan of mine, but he let me tug him aside. “I need to talk to them, Cass.”
“You need to let them enjoy this. It’s a big night for them.”
“You’re a pain in the ass.” He put his hands on his hips and looked up at the night sky.
“And a walking sign that Kate’s good at her fucking job.
We got some data earlier and it’s clear people love you.
I even heard that Coach James is having to fight other coaches off who want to snag you for their programs.”
I bounced in place and slapped his shoulder. “That’s amazing! I’m really glad Kate was right. And that you were wrong.”
“Yeah, yeah. You and Sam switched places in the public’s eye.”
I giggled. “I surely hope not.”
He cracked a smile before turning serious again.
“The divorce is going to get very ugly. Sam didn’t sign any kind of prenup and that airhead is going for half.
They’re already slandering each other online and Sam’s fat fingers and typos are making his posts even more embarrassing. He’s going to lose everything.”
I did my best to keep a straight face but I knew a smirk was breaking free so I looked away. “That’s too bad.”
“There’s going to be blowback onto the guys if we don’t handle this the right way.”
“Handle it in whatever way will hurt them the least. They don’t deserve any more trouble from that man.” Knowing it would push his buttons, I went on. “Maybe ask Kate about it.”
He growled and poked me in the forehead. “You’re a brat. Tell the guys I’ll be in contact tomorrow. Don’t do anything stupid tonight.”
I laughed as he stormed off and turned back to see my guys coming towards me. An excited chill went up and down my spine at the looks on their faces. I was in for a very…athletic night.