Epilogue
EPILOGUE
JACE
FIVE MONTHS LATER
I may not have won this season, but as I watch my best friend walk up to accept his championship trophy, presented by his wife and our other best friend, I know I’m exactly where I’m meant to be.
I look down at the woman clapping at my side and know that I’ve already won the best thing in this universe.
I glance at our boys, Sydney and Lawson holding each of them steady on their chairs so they can see the stage. Sydney smiles down at them before her eyes slide to Lawson.
There’s a sparkle in her gaze, weighed down with longing. She catches me watching and gives me a sad smile before looking back at the stage and cheering.
Lawson looks at her the moment she looks away and I roll my eyes.
I can’t wait for the day these two figure it out and quit dancing around each other.
We all sit as Ryder steps in front of the podium, one hand holding his trophy, the other holding onto his wife.
I hand Kinsley my handkerchief and she wipes away a stray tear. She’s been crying a lot more recently. But they’re all happy tears.
Cute puppy video. Tears.
Sweet parenting video. Tears.
A basket of blooming flowers. Tears.
The boys show her a drawing they’ve made. Tears.
I tell her I love her before a race. Tears.
The boys have taken it as a challenge to see who can get her to cry more. Something I am definitely not supporting… but I did get ten points when I made her cry after bringing home her favorite takeaway the other night.
She backhands me when I chuckle as she wipes away more tears. Ryder finishes his speech and we all cheer him on as he holds up his trophy.
We’re told that dinner will be served shortly and Kinsley shimmies her shoulders in excitement, picking up her diet soda.
Ryder and Blake make their way back to our table, taking their seats across from us.
“Great speech, mate. Where was my thanks?” I smile behind my glass as he scoffs.
“Thank you, Jace. I couldn’t have possibly done this without you,” he deadpans.
“Aw, shucks. Anything for you, mate.”
He shakes his head, but I see the small tilt of his lips when he goes to take a sip of his drink.
There’s a tug on my sleeve and I look over to see two scheming faces.
“Yes boys?”
“Can we go look at the dessert table?” Beckham asks innocently.
“Just to look. Pinky swear,” Cooper adds, holding out his little hand.
I squint at them. “Hm, I don’t know.”
A chorus of whispered pleas catches Kinsley’s attention.
“What are you two up to?”
“They want to go look at the dessert offerings.” I raise an eyebrow at her and she smothers a laugh, knowing very well these two will do more than just look.
I give it two minutes before there’s crumbs dusting the corners of their mouths.
Kinsley hums, rubbing my arm. “What do you think, sweetheart?”
“Well they have been rather good tonight.”
“So good,” Beckham chimes.
“The bestest,” Cooper agrees.
“I guess it’s alright if you promise to bring back something for your mother.”
The boys high five before taking turns hugging first me and then Kinsley. I watch them run off just as the waiters start delivering our entrées.
“You know they are going to spoil their dinner now, right?”
I turn, kissing her cheek. “You’re only a kid once. Plus, we get a bonus dessert out of it since they’re supposed to be bringing out dessert later anyway.”
She leans into my side with a dreamy expression. “Jace Collins, you’re an evil genius and I love you.”
I lean over, brushing my lips over hers. “I love you, too, angel.”
As much as Kinsley’s been looking forward to the meal, she only pushes around the food on her plate. I help her out, stealing bites of her food when I’m sure no one is looking.
We’ve been waiting to tell anyone until after the end of the season, but I’ve been bursting at the seams since the moment we found out.
As if sensing where my mind has gone, Kinsley looks over, taking my hand in hers and giving it a squeeze. I lean over, meeting her for a quick kiss.
The rest of dinner passes with stories from the season, our hopes for the next, and our plans for the future. The boys quickly lose interest, dashing away to play with the few other kids who attended with their parents.
Music starts up and I steal away my girl from where she’s been hiding away in the corner with my sister and Blake. She giggles when I spin her, pulling her into my chest as I sway us to the soft melody.
Cameras flash and we glance over. Ryder poses with Blake, her parents, and Nik holding up both the driver and team championship trophies.
I smirk, my gaze sliding back to my girl. Kinsley’s already looking up at me with a smile and I lean down as she pushes onto her toes, our lips meeting in a soft kiss.
“That’ll be you next year,” she whispers against my lips.
“Maybe.” I shrug, pulling her closer. “But even if it isn’t, I have everything I’ll ever want right here.”