Epilogue
Logan
One year later
“And a ripper try from local Sydney hero, Logan Callahan, to bring the Wallabies into the lead!”
The noise in the stands is almost deafening, and still I barely hear the thousands of fans over the pounding of my heart as I lie on my belly in the try zone, the ball still underneath me.
We’ve been trailing behind France for most of the match, and we badly needed this try to avoid being eliminated.
If we can hold France back and win this match?
Then it’s only one more victory to win the World Cup.
My teammates swarm the try zone, lifting me off the ground and battering me with excited fists and tackling hugs. The match isn’t over yet, but barring some catastrophe, we can do this.
Our flyhalf kicks a perfect conversion, and we play out the last few minutes, denying France any ground. The match ends with Australia taking the win.
It almost doesn’t feel real.
None of my wins over the last year have felt real, like I still can’t believe that this is my life—playing for my home team in front of sold-out crowds in the biggest rugby tournament in the world. Here in Sydney, where I spent the majority of my life.
Where I belong.
“Cheers to the hero!” one of the Wallabies shouts, jumping onto my back as the rest of the team celebrates.
And while I’m beyond stoked to be a part of this and help my team get the win, my eyes scan the crowd for the family section, searching for the person I care about most and the only reason I’m here.
Savannah’s right where she’s supposed to be, hugging my mum as they both jump up and down in celebration with tears falling down their cheeks.
I meet Dad’s eyes, chuckling when he shakes his head with mock annoyance, but I can’t keep my gaze from Savannah for long.
“Love you,” I mouth to her and put my hand over my heart.
She mirrors the movement, and that look in her eyes is heaps better than any rugby victory.
“Ah, his head’s in the clouds, as always.” Callum O’Shea, the team captain, ruffles my hair and shoves me toward the tunnel. “Go get your girl, mate, but don’t forget we have another match to win in a few days.”
I make a rude gesture at him, laughing when he simply rolls his eyes, then I make a break for it before he changes my mind.
Savannah must have guessed my intent because she’s on the move too, slipping past countless fans to get to the access tunnel.
I lose sight of her when she reaches security, but they’ve been through this enough to make sure she gets to where I want her.
She hits the ground level at the same time I hit the tunnel, and I scoop her up so she can wrap herself up in my arms. I never want to let her go when she’s here.
I’m exhausted and sweaty and only just starting to internalize how close my team is to winning the Cup, but I keep my full focus on the woman in my arms as I bury my face into her neck.
“You were amazing out there,” she says, breathless and trembling. “I thought for sure that last ruck was the end of things, but then when you chipped it over the line and outran half their backline to scoop it up? I should have known you’d be the hero, as always.”
I groan, holding her tighter. “I love when you speak rugby.” And while I’m rather proud of that forward kick that got me the winning try, I care more that Savannah cares.
That she’s been to every single home match and even some around the world because she never wants me to be alone.
She shows up and loves hard and gives me a reason to do better. Be better.
We’re on our own in the dark tunnel, but that won’t last much longer. Soon, this place will be crawling with Wallabies and their families.
Lowering Savannah to her feet, I cup her face in my hands and gently nudge her backward until she’s pressed against the wall. My heart picks up speed from the way she trusts me to guide her, and I don’t know how anyone can feel this kind of love for someone and keep it contained.
“Sav,” I whisper and drop my forehead to hers. “You’re everything.”
Her hands splay across my chest, then slide up to my neck and into my hair, leaving fire in their wake. “Logan,” she whispers back.
“I have this match I need to play next week. Sort of important.”
She chuckles. “I heard about that a few minutes ago, actually.”
“What I want to know is if you’re busy when it’s over.”
Opening her eyes, she studies me for a few seconds, like she knows what I’m about to say. “That depends,” she says slowly. “I might have plans with my boyfriend, but he hasn’t asked me yet.”
My lips curve upward. “Wanna get married, Savannah Magnolia Blair?”
Her breath comes in a quick hiss, which isn’t an answer, but I’m not too worried.
“See, you have this working visa that’s expiring in a couple of weeks,” I say and brush my nose against hers. “And that’s a problem.”
Savannah pulls me closer, her hands trembling. “I already applied to get it extended.”
“I’m aware, but I’d rather keep you in a more permanent way.” Snaking my hand around her back, I pull her into me. “I think we’ve waited long enough, don’t you?”
“You want to get married next week?” Her question is more thoughtful than disbelieving.
“I’d marry you tonight if I thought you’d say yes.” But then I frown, considering that. “No. I take that back. I have a match to win in a few days.”
She smirks. “That sort of important one?”
“Yeah, that one. And when I marry you…” I press my lips to hers in a soft kiss that isn’t nearly enough.
It’s never enough with her. “I don’t want any distractions.
I plan to give you my full, undivided attention.
” I kiss her again, losing some of my control as Savannah takes the kiss deeper, and I grip her waist to bring her body flush with mine.
“You’d better,” she says against my mouth.
“Is that a yes?”
“Obviously.”
Lifting her into my arms, I roll my eyes and run my fingers through her hair. “You’re the most frustrating woman I’ve ever known,” I tell her, then kiss her like my life depends on it.
I may be playing for the same team and living in the same city that I was before I met Savannah, but my life is far more complete now.
So much better than I could have made it on my own.
I thought I needed to figure out where I came from, but in truth I only needed her.
And while I’m nowhere near good enough for this woman, I’m going to try my very best to deserve her.
After all, tries are my specialty.