Epilogue Part One
Rome
Three Months Later
Sweat beads across my forehead. We’re racing against the clock. With the ball in our hands, we have ten more yards to go. If we get this touchdown, we win the game, and we’ll make it into the Division Championship.
Everyone is in the stands today. Not just the usual suspects, but my father and Chrissy’s parents. Eyes are on Levi Faulkner, who has taken the field for more than half the games because Malik was being a prick. Levi’s name is often chanted in the stands. He’s making a name for himself, which doesn’t happen often in someone’s first year.
Numbers start to be thrown out, and I smile to myself at the play he has in mind. It’s one of my own, and if we get it right, red and black confetti will rain on the field. The December air bites at my face, my breath visible as time seems to slow.
Snow starts to flurry from the sky, and the ground beneath my feet has begun to freeze. My breathing becomes the only sound in my ears. Glancing over at Levi, the ball is thrown, and I burst into action.
Our defense is tight; they manage to keep the Northland Jaguars off me.
They close in on Levi, and I curse under my breath when he throws the ball toward the end zone. I’m nowhere near where I need to be. With a leap of faith, I launch myself in the air and reach for the ball, hoping it lands in my chest.
When I land, the clock runs out. It’s only when the announcer’s voice blares overhead that I realize what happened.
“The Castle Brook Dragons have scored! Number 35, Carter, has secured the game!”
Black and red strips of paper fly in the air, mixing in with the snow flurries. My head collapses against the ground as I cradle the ball, savoring this moment.
“Let’s go!” my teammates shout as they hoist me up.
When I’m on my feet, I hold the ball in the air, and the crowd goes wild. Blake charges at me, crashing into my chest and pulling me into a hug while patting my back.
“You fucking son of a bitch! We’re going to the championship!” he shouts over the cheering crowd.
Levi removes his helmet and jogs toward us.
“Faulkner, get your ass over here!” I say with a broad smile.
His dimples pop on his cheeks, and sweat shines on his complexion. I toss my helmet on the ground and pull him into me. I don’t care that the cameras are on us. I pat his back repeatedly and smile at him.
“I told you. I fucking told you that you could do it!”
He pats my back in return and nods. “Thank you.”
We pull away, and I hold his face before slapping his cheek. “Go find your mom.”
With a sniffle, he heads into the crowd to search for his parents. Blake and Ryan find one another, and I grin when the camera zooms in on them kissing.
“Carter!” a reporter calls for me.
I don’t see my girl yet, so I decide to give the media the attention they’re always craving.
“How does it feel to win the playoff game and to make it into the championships?” she asks while holding the mic out for me.
“It’s beyond exhilarating. I’ve been working toward this moment for three years. I’m really proud of this team.”
“Was it a shock when Coach Bradson made you captain?”
I chuckle at the question. “Yes and no. It feels great he trusts me to carry this team. It’s more than an honor. I can’t wait to bring us further and see where the rest of the season takes us.”
Wild blonde curls appear in the corner of my eye. The reporter tries to ask another question, but I politely cut her off. “Please excuse me. I’m going to go celebrate with my girl.”
With a kind smile, she nods, and I turn away to face the girl who outshines the lights in the stadium.
We start toward one another. She gains momentum and crashes into my arms. I swing her around, and her feet lift in the air, causing her to giggle.
“You did it!” she cheers.
Placing her back on the ground, I kiss her. The flurries melt against my cheeks, and a few pieces of confetti land in her hair.
“There he is!” My dad’s voice cuts through the crowd.
Chrissy steps back and lets my dad give me a firm hug. He slaps my back, his black and gray stubble grazing against my cheek.
“I’m so proud of you,” he whispers, emotion cracking his voice.
I fight my own tears when he pulls back. Nothing but pride settles on his face, shining in his eyes.
Behind him, Gwen, Ash, Max, Zack, Faye, and Ethan Willows smile at me. A rush of belonging surges through me. Chrissy wraps her hand around mine and places a kiss on my cheek.
I don’t need my mom here. Even if she came back, I’m not sure I would want her in my life. These are the people I want to surround myself with. Even though we’re chaotic and messy, we’re a family.
And this is my home.