Chapter 43
Penelope
Maybe it was the stadium lights glinting off tiny flakes of snow, but the air seemed to sparkle with excitement as I parked at Tilikum High School.
I was dressed in my green and white hat, and I’d put on Theo’s hoodie.
It was a little big on me, but I loved wearing it, even when it was cold enough that I had to put a coat on over it.
“Are you sure you’re going to be warm enough?” I asked.
Grandma sat next to me, bundled in her winter coat, hat, and scarf. “I’ll be fine.”
Theo had invited her to come to the game, and I’d been surprised at how excited she was. She’d never been a sports fan, and tended to prefer staying home, especially when the weather was cold. But she’d enthusiastically accepted.
I was excited to have her there. It was a part of my life I wanted to share with her.
I’d picked her up and managed to get her wheelchair in the back. She waited while I got it back out and moved it over to the passenger side. She was able to maneuver herself from the car into her seat, and I spread a blanket over her lap to help keep her warm.
We made our way to the stadium behind the school.
The game hadn’t even begun, and the crowd roared, students and their families chanting along with well-known cheers.
It was the first time in recent memory that the Timberwolves had made it to the playoffs, and they were one game away from going to state.
My heart fluttered and my body tingled with nervousness. Theo had been his usual calm, confident self all day, but I knew him too well to miss the hint of anticipation in his eyes. Fortunately, it had looked more like excitement than nerves.
After showing my staff ID, I pushed Grandma up the ramp to the bleachers. I went to the railing and looked down. Theo was on the sideline dressed in a thick black coat, talking to his players.
I remembered the game earlier in the season when I’d come while waiting for a pizza order. That Penelope seemed like a different person.
It was hard to believe how far I’d come, and how much had changed in such a short period of time. I was living a different life—one that was infinitely better.
One I hoped would last forever.
As if he could sense my presence, Theo turned, his dimples appearing with his smile.
I was so excited, I bounced up and down, waving like a dork.
Then I held out my fist. He did the same, but instead of spreading his fingers wide and making an explosion sound, he lifted his hand to his mouth and blew me a kiss.
Biting my lip, I giggled and waved again. I loved him so much.
There was a designated wheelchair spot in the front row, so I moved Grandma and took the seat next to her. A moment later, Melanie and Luke arrived. Melanie rushed over and gave me a big hug. I introduced her to Grandma, and they took the seats next to me.
Theo’s parents, siblings, nieces and nephews arrived—including the babies, all bundled up against the cold. They packed in behind us, taking up several rows. Melanie’s parents came, too, as did the other big Tilikum family, the Baileys.
“I’ve never been so nervous for a football game,” Melanie said. “I miss not caring about sports. This is so stressful.”
“They’re going to do great,” I said.
“Pickle?”
“What?”
She held out a large dill pickle. “Do you want one? I have plenty.”
“No, thanks.”
With a shrug, she took a bite.
The cheerleaders started another cheer while the players warmed up on the field.
I pulled my hands into the sleeves of my coat to keep them warm and watched Theo confer with Coach Lewis on the sidelines.
He glanced up, and for a second, our eyes met.
His subtle smile sent a shiver down my spine—one that had nothing to do with the cold.
The announcer came on and welcomed everyone to the game. The roar of the crowd was so loud, he had to wait for us to quiet down before he could continue. Timberwolves fans clapped politely as the visiting team was announced and each player took the field.
When it was time for the home team, we all surged to our feet. Each starting player was announced to renewed cheers. Our entire section went wild when Owen’s name was called, and again when head coach Theo Haven was introduced. Theo lifted his hand in a wave and our eyes met again.
So many butterflies.
Grandma raised her eyebrows at me as I sat down.
“What?” I asked.
“Nothing.”
The announcer’s voice boomed over the loudspeaker again. “Before we begin, we’d like to thank the faculty of Tilikum High School. Can any faculty members in attendance come down to the field?”
“That’s you.” Melanie nudged me. “Get down there.”
Suddenly self-conscious, I hesitated, glancing around to see if any of my coworkers were there. Theo was on the field, of course, but would I be the only other one?
Derek got up from his spot and walked down the stairs to the field. So did Jeremy and Sharon. That probably meant I needed to go, too.
“Go on, Penny,” Grandma said.
With a deep breath, I got up and adjusted my glasses. Melanie cheered for me, her voice carrying over the din. My coworkers lined up in a row, and Theo made his way to the end so I could stand next to him. I gave him a grateful smile. He winked back.
“Ladies and gentlemen, our Tilikum High School faculty.”
The crowd clapped and a few people whistled. Snow fell softly around us, and the lights were bright from where I stood. I lifted my hand in a little wave and was ready to dart back to the bleachers, when Theo slipped his hand in mine.
Our relationship wasn’t a secret, exactly, but we’d been keeping it quiet at school, avoiding any physical contact in front of our students, even hand-holding. Either Theo wasn’t thinking about the fact that most of the student body was watching, or he’d decided not to care.
He squeezed my hand, and I squeezed back. Our coworkers went back to the bleachers, but Theo didn’t let go. I glanced at him, wondering what was going on. The game was about to start. Didn’t he need to take his place on the sideline?
He winked again, then lifted his other hand, as if to tell the crowd to give him a minute.
What was he doing?
Turning to face me, he drew something out of his pocket and slowly lowered himself to one knee.
The crowd went wild.
My mouth dropped open and my eyes widened. Theo Haven, my best friend and the most wonderful man I’d ever known, knelt in front of me with a ring.
An engagement ring. For me.
He tried to say something, but the crowd was too loud. From the corner of my eye, I could see his players jumping up and down, shouting, and putting their hands on their heads, like they couldn’t believe what they were seeing.
Neither could I.
Finally, Theo had to raise a hand again to get the crowd to quiet. A hush settled over the stadium and snowflakes fluttered softly around us.
“Penelope,” he began, “you’re the best friend I’ve ever had, and so much more. I love you. And maybe this seems crazy, but I’ve never been more sure of anything. I want you to be my wife. Will you marry me?”
I was so overwhelmed with happiness, I wasn’t sure whether I was laughing or crying. Probably a bit of both.
“Yes,” I managed, finally. “Yes!”
With a dimpled grin, he took my hand and slid the ring on my finger.
The crowd erupted in cheers as he stood. Wrapping his arms around me, he picked me up off my feet and twirled me around.
Our lips met in a kiss to renewed whistles and applause. Then he set me on my feet, took my left hand in his, and raised it into the air.
I’d always wondered what it would feel like to score a game-winning touchdown, but getting engaged to Theo Haven was better than any big win. It was everything.
Theo leaned down and spoke close to my ear. “I hope you don’t mind the crowd. I just thought this would be fun.”
“So fun,” I said, smiling so big my face was going to hurt later. “It’s perfect.”
“And I want everyone to know you’re mine.”
He kissed me again, his tongue doing things that were slightly inappropriate, considering it was a family-friendly event. But I didn’t care. It was the best moment of my entire life.
But the game did need to begin. Theo let go and I hurried off the field to another round of cheers and applause from his family. Melanie gave me a tearful hug and Grandma beamed.
“Oh, Penny,” she said. “That was worth the wait.” Was it ever.
Theo was worth everything.
The outcome of the game wouldn’t have diminished my giddiness by an ounce, but the win was even more exciting. The Timberwolves came out on top, securing their spot at the state finals.
A week later, they played in the biggest game in Tilikum High School history, and became the first Timberwolves team to win the state championship.
It was amazing. And still not as incredible as the moment when Theo Haven got down on one knee. For me.
Because that was the thing—he wanted me. Penelope. The weird art teacher who couldn’t see without her glasses and constantly got paint on her face. The girl who’d started to wonder if life was going to pass her by and all her dreams would have been just that—dreams, nothing more.
Until a football coach named Theo Haven came along and became my best friend, my roommate, my boyfriend, and finally, the true love of my life.