Epilogue
SIX MONTHS LATER
“I’ve got the red cooler,” I shout over to Nate as I’m loading up the boat.
The offseason came quickly, and while this time is often spent alone, I haven’t had a day to myself since last November and I’ve never loved it more.
Demi’s new role will officially start this upcoming season, and I’m so damn excited for her. She’s part of the Monday night prime-time crew—so she’ll cover any team playing during the season on Mondays. It’s going to be so fucking cool to see her every week on TV doing what she was made to do.
The Knights and I did have a meeting about my contract—a couple, actually.
The first thing I told Coach Aarons was how much I’ve appreciated his mentorship.
And then I swiftly followed that up with telling him I understand this is a business and guys get traded every day.
I was honest, telling him how much my personal life has changed, the happiness I’ve found.
It turns out that was obvious to everyone around me.
The uplift, the spark, the joy that seemed greater than my usual.
He was surprised when he found out Demi and I are together, but never judgmental. Never accusatory or off-putting. He had a couple questions, and I answered them with certainty, something I know he appreciated.
When our conversation shifted back to my contract, he chuckled, removing his thin-framed glasses from his face and placing them on the table.
“If you think you’re playing anywhere other than this team, Evans, I’ll tell you right now, I’ll go to bat to have you stay.”
His words made my breath hitch—I’m so used to being told that being vulnerable or my personal life might hinder my chances at longevity in this game.
I’m thankful we were able to find common ground and I can still call Tampa home for the next three seasons.
After last season ended, Demi and I took a trip to Arizona to visit her family. We spent two weeks out there, and I have to admit, although it was hot as hell, the no humidity thing is nice.
Her parents are amazing, and I found myself really enjoying my time with her dad. He isn’t a Tampa fan, but I guess I wouldn’t expect it living out west. Although he did wish me good luck next season, and Demi tells me that’s a big leap from his previous comments about any team that isn’t his.
I got to spend a lot of time with her mom and her abuela too. I can’t count how many tostones I ate, but I know it was in the double digits. I also think I had the best empanadas I’ve ever had in my entire fucking life too.
Demi lit up around her family—her usual casual demeanor was lifted just a bit being around them.
She smiled so much it made my chest pound every time I saw them interact.
Her sweet abuela was trying to teach me some words in Spanish.
I’ve been practicing every day, and I feel good about the prospect of being able to hold a decent conversation with her next time I’m visiting.
While out there, Demi and I had a long talk one night as we sat in the bed of a truck on the side of a mountain. I was terrified we were going to be eaten by mountain lions, but she assured me she’d protect me if the situation arose.
I told her how free I’ve felt lately. How my life has felt so hopeful and exciting.
After my contract was extended, I received a text from my father about how long it took for them to “want to keep me”—his words.
And it was like the final straw I didn’t realize he was on.
My next session with Dana was one of the most emotional hours of my life.
But I ended that afternoon blocking his phone number and deleting him from every social media app I have.
Even going as far as sending text messages to my brother and my mom, letting them know how horribly our relationship had escalated and how I needed this break.
My brother understood, no questions asked.
My mom, not so much, but that didn’t surprise me.
I don’t know if I’ll ever have a relationship with him again. Never say never, right? But right now, I breathe better without him.
“I’m not waiting much longer, ladies.” I tap my watch as I wait for Summer and Abby to get on the boat.
“Liam Evans, if you would’ve left without us, I promise this would’ve been your last day on earth.” Summer narrows her eyes at me once she steps on the dock and hops into the boat.
We’re heading out to Bottle Island for the afternoon—finally, all eight of us are together again.
Demi’s sitting in the back of the boat between Chase and Abby as Ford stands next to me, beer in his hand. Summer takes the tanning spot at the front, and, as usual, Nate and Mia are up ahead on the Jet Ski.
“Oh, shit,” Ford says as he’s glancing down at his phone. “Guess who just got traded?”
My brow creases as I shift my focus from the waves to him and back again. “On our team?”
He shakes his head and holds his phone screen up so I can see it.
“West?” I gasp, my jaw feeling slack as I stare at Ford wide eyed. “I’m fucking shocked.”
“Listen to these fucking details.” His head shakes again. “The Angels trade a lights-out pitcher for one first round, one fourth round pick, and centerfielder Danny Hule? That’s one of the worst deals I’ve ever seen. Angels’ front office fucked that up. They can’t afford to lose West.”
“Milwaukee won that trade, no contest. And teaming West up with Connor again is diabolical. I can’t wait to watch them win a series.”
Ford and I both shake our heads in disbelief over that lopsided trade.
As we pull up to Bottle Island, Chase and Ford hop out first to help pull the boat up to get situated on the sand. I do a quick scan of the perimeter, noticing only a handful of other boats out here, which is a nice surprise.
The girls head to the beach, blankets and bags in hand as Chase follows behind them with a small cooler to leave by their sides.
Days like today are extra special. I’m reminded just how fucking lucky I am.
Six months ago, everything about my future felt unsure.
My job, my relationship—if I could’ve even called it that back then.
But now, looking at everything I have, I don’t think I could’ve written it better.
I’m so damn thankful for this group of people.
I may not have come from the most supportive family, but the family I found—the one I chose—they mean everything to me.
“Quick touch game?” Nate tosses me the ball, and I put my beer down on Demi’s blanket, bending down to plant a kiss on her forehead as I do.
She sure knows how to wear the fuck out of that swimsuit. I might need to borrow Nate’s Jet Ski at some point for some alone time with her and that white one-piece.
“Oh, how was your appointment?” Chase turns to Ford as the four of us are now huddled up in the sand.
Ford shrugs, glancing at Abby, and I don’t miss how he swallows before clearing his throat to answer.
“We’re not going to keep trying right now.
Not like that anyway.” His voice has a low rasp to it, and I feel my shoulders fall a little.
“It’s been really hard on her. Emotionally, physically.
When we met with the specialist after the fifth failed round I could see how drained she was.
It kills me that I can’t give her what she wants so badly.
It fucking kills me. We had a long talk, and she just said she needs a break from fertility treatments.
I think all the failed rounds are really becoming too much—and who the fuck am I to question any of that?
She’s a damn warrior for what she’s been putting herself through.
I’m in awe of her every fucking day, and if she says she needs a break, she’s getting a break.
We both want to have a baby so badly, you know, but we talked about it—we’ve been talking about it for a while now, and if it’s not part of our story then we’ll have each other to help cope with that. ”
God, I’ve hated seeing them go through this for the last few years. They’d be the best parents.
“I’m holding hope for you guys,” I say, extending my hand to his but pulling him into a hug at the last minute.
“Ah, thanks.” He wipes his forehead, and I don’t miss the redness forming in his watery eyes, but he blinks it away. “Let’s play a game.” He swats the ball from Nate’s grip and it lands in the sand near his feet.
“Can we play?”
“Holy shit, you snuck up on us.” Chase jerks back as Summer’s at his side, icy blue eyes pleading at him. “You want to play instead of just lying out and yapping?”
“Yeah,” Mia says as she snatches the ball from Nate after he just picked it up.
“Jesus,” he says in a huff. “Can I not hold onto a ball anymore, what the fuck is wrong with me?”
“Girls versus boys, it’ll be fun.” Summer shrugs and runs her fingers along Chase’s back. A distraction tactic I know they’re all going to use if we agree.
“What do you say, Ab?” Chase calls over his shoulder to his sister, and I see both Abby and Demi stand, dusting sand from their hands onto their thighs.
“I’m in.” Demi stands at my side, and I sling an arm over her shoulder as Abby agrees too.
“You guys can be on offense first,” Summer offers, and I don’t miss the small nod toward Demi.
“What was that?” I hook my finger into the upper thigh piece of Demi’s swimsuit, holding her in place as I grin down at her makeup-free face.
“Nothing. Let’s play, this will be fun.” She smiles, and I lean my lips down to hers in a quick motion.
“You’re so damn pretty,” I whisper against her ear as she backs away, shaking her head.
We make a line in the sand and stand on opposite sides, everyone covering their partner in what’s sure to be the most unserious game of football I’ve ever played.
I’m excited to just have fun today, though.
We’ve got nowhere to be, nothing hanging over our heads or causing us stress.
It’s fucking amazing how much can change in such a short period of time, but when I look at Demi, I know I’m looking at everything good in my life.
It was a road to get here—but I wouldn’t want to change any of it.
Even the time I spent wishing she was mine.
I think it helped mature me. It helped me realize that sometimes, the best things are worth the wait.
Demi’s eyes shine when the sun hits them and she takes two casual steps closer to me as we’re on opposite sides. She crosses her arms over her chest, and I make no attempt to hide the way I look her up and down, football in my hand.
She leans a little closer to me, her eyes staring at the football in my hand and climbing up to my eyes.
“Feeling good today, Twelve?” She licks her lips with a sultry smirk.
I take one hand and cup the side of her jaw as I look into the dark brown eyes I’ve been obsessed with since the second I saw them.
“Always good with you, baby.”
The End