Epilogue
CARLIE
Six Months Later
I never get to go down on the field to see Law after games. I have to wait with the other wives, girlfriends, moms, or partners, in the family room. But today Ava and Gabriella have tugged me through a series of hallways, past security guards that nod at us and smile, and down into the tunnel to watch the final plays of the Pumas’ first playoff game of the season. They’re killing the Arizona Cobras, and the smile I’ve seen on Law’s face every time he comes off after a fabulous play says he’s enjoying it.
Supposedly there’s some kind of family thing on the field today, but Ava and Gabriella are the only other significant others here with me.
“Everyone’s spread out,” Gabriella says, squeezing my arm. “Julia organized the whole thing. She wants us to come out a few at a time from different places for more of an effect.”
Julia is the coach’s wife. Because I’m only Law’s girlfriend, there’s a whole world of the players’ wives that I’m not a part of. There’s a hierarchy here that I still don’t completely understand, but thankfully Ava and Gabriella don’t mind that I’m just a girlfriend. Maybe because they’re convinced that’s not going to last very long.
I smile to myself. I hope it doesn’t last very much longer either. Law is perfection, and despite my demanding schedule with Chad and the girls, plus his football schedule, we’re together every spare minute. And every minute is better than the last. Thanks to Caleb, our house is just minutes away. I lamely protested when I did the mental calculations for approximately how much of the rent Caleb must be paying, but then Law got in on the argument and I didn’t last. Minutes away from Scarlett, Zoey, and Law? How could I say no?
Besides, what kind of example would I be to Jenna, who we finally got moved into her new house next door to Jett?
But until my status changes, I’m on the outs with all the stuff that happens behind the scenes with the players and their families and the special events stuff, like today. I peer out of the tunnel without coming into view. I can’t see other nonchalant wives, fiancées, or moms around the field, but maybe they’re better at blending in than I would be. That’s probably why I got stuck in the tunnel.
Jett kneels the ball for the last play, and we join in the cheering erupting around in the stands. Ava jumps up and down, clapping, even though Jett can’t see her back here. He’s totally going to notice that she’s not in the stands where we normally sit, so he’s going to know something’s up. Colby too. These women who’ve become my best friends this season have unnatural connections with their husbands. In a sea of people, Jett can find Ava in an instant. It’s enough to make my heart tremble every time I see it.
“Okay, go, Car,” Ava says, nudging my back. “You’re supposed to go first.”
I spin on her. “You’re joking. I don’t even know what we’re doing.”
Gabriella pushes at my shoulder. “You’ll figure it out. Promise. Go,” she says urgently. “Just find Law. After that …” She shrugs, insinuating that it will be obvious from there.
“Oh, here, don’t forget your shirt.” Ava shoves the rolled-up material into my hand. They’re special shirts, made for if we won this game.
I grab it before I turn and run out of the tunnel, feeling ridiculous. I tell myself again that I’ll know what to do in a few minutes. I hate being the outsider. Please propose soon , I mentally will Law. My answer should be obvious to him by now.
I sprint onto the field, eyes darting every which way for any other women coming out with me, but I don’t see anyone yet. It’s not a surprise; the field is crowded with players. The women here will be dwarfed by the huge linemen milling around.
Suddenly a cheer roars through the stadium and the crowd around me parts to reveal Law just a few feet from me. A glance at the big screen tells me why. The camera is on us, and ever since someone published pictures of us basically making out at that coffee shop months ago, we’ve been Houston’s Tom Holland and Zendaya.
Then Law drops to one knee.
I squeal, sprinting the final steps to him and basically running him over as I throw my arms around him.
He rises quickly, like I’m nothing to lift in his arms even though he just played sixty-plus minutes of football. I wrap my legs around his waist, and he holds me against him.
“I guess that’s a yes?” he shouts above the growing roar of the fans.
I laugh-slash-cry, wrapping my arms around his neck and burying my face in his neck. “A million times yes, Law. Of course.”
“You were supposed to let me ask, and then you were supposed to put on the T-shirt. Ava and Gabriella are going to be so disappointed that the plan didn’t work how they thought.”
I lean back to look at him. Then I kiss him, still keeping my hands locked behind his neck. “Sorry.” My tone is completely unapologetic.
Law grins, then releases me so he can bend and pick up the T-shirt I dropped when I all but tackled him. He unfurls it and waves it around, yelling, “She said yes!”
I hop up and down in excitement, although I do appreciate that the T-shirt is cute—a giant “YES” printed in the Pumas logo font.
The crowd starts chanting, “She said yes!” and Law sweeps me up into his arms again to kiss me soundly.
“I’ve been waiting for months,” he says when we break apart and he rests his forehead to mine.
I take a handful of his jersey and grip it. “What took you so long?” I tease.
“Just wanted to make sure I took things slow.”
I shake my head and laugh at him. I’ve found the safest place I can think of in him, and I’ve known it for months too. He’s not perfect. There have been, and there will be more, times when he messes up. When I mess up. But we’re going to make it through that every single time, because we trust each other with everything. “I love you, Law Card.”
He lifts me up to him, holding me so that my head is above his. “I love you too.” Then he kisses me and spins me around, and it’s the best moment ever.
I can’t think of a better start to Law’s first championship run.