Chapter 57
Archer
Acustom Conference Champions hat is placed on my head. Deej and I are given the trophy, and we hoist it high in the air for all to see. It’s gaudy and silver and it’s everything I ever dreamed of as a child.
In the locker room I’m met with a champagne shower.
The boys laugh maniacally as they soak me to the bone.
It’s pure mayhem here, in retaliation I grab a cheap bottle and make sure to soak Ty and DJ.
Cam was already hit by another defensive tackle.
Music is blasting and I can barely hear it above the shouts and cheers of my teammates.
Once everyone has finished soaking each other with champagne and beer, Coach Peirson whistles, signaling everyone’s attention.
“Listen up boys!” His voice commands our attention.
“I am so damn proud of you all.” He swallows, his icy expression from the game melting into one of pride and gratitude.
“You played your hearts out. Three years ago you all took a chance on me, and I’m so-” This time the crack in his voice is obvious.
“I’m so grateful for you all.” Taking a steading breath, he finishes his short speech with “Enjoy tonight! Our job isn’t finished. We have a Super Bowl to win!”
A roar erupts in the locker room singing the praises of the man who has led us true the whole season.
“To the man who sticks with us through thick and thin!” I shout raising my bottle of champagne. “To you, Coach!”
Coach bows his head trying to hide the emotions across his face. After our toasts he hands out the game balls, gifting one to me and one to DJ.
I didn’t want to rush the celebrations with my team, but my family is outside of our locker room. So once things start to die down, I quickly take off the sticky champagne-soaked jersey and change into the conference champs shirt and hat that were waiting for me.
Reporters are waiting outside the locker room wanting to get bits from us.
I see Kirk Williams and his weasel ass waiting, but I don’t give a shit.
I see my girl waiting off to the side in the family area.
I pick up the pace greeting her with a kiss.
Someone had given her a championship hat and I knocked it off while pulling her close to me.
Her lips are still on mine, her arms around my neck.
Cameras flash all around us but all that matters is her.
She’s here, I break the kiss slowly coming back to myself.
Her cheeks are pink either from the kiss or the cold, maybe a bit of both?
She’s smiling at me; pride and joy etched across her face.
Both of our moms are grinning ear to ear.
Oops. I forgot myself and forgot our parents are here.
I sheepishly sneak a peek at Jim and notice he’s trying to look everywhere but me and his daughter at this moment.
I’m smiling so hard my face hurts I pull her in again, lifting her right off the ground, and she laughs against my shoulder.
“You kicked ass!” she giggles into my neck. I set her down and give her another quick kiss before making my way to the rest of my family.
I hug my mom first, and she just keeps saying, “I’m so proud of you, baby,” over and over until I’m laughing because she hasn’t called me baby since high school.
My dad claps me on the shoulder as he holds me. “I’m proud of you. So proud.” His voice is hoarse like he’s trying to hold back the tears.
“I owe everything to you and mom. Dad, I love you. Thank you.” I whisper against him.
He sniffs, taking a step back, allowing me a moment to hug Jim and Joyce. I spot Momma McCreary and blow her a kiss, which she catches and holds against her heart. Tyson spots the action and laughs.
Erica and her two best friends come up and shyly ask for hugs and pictures. I agree, who am I to deny Elle’s baby sister a picture.
“Say favorite future brother-in-law!” I joke, but as the words leave my mouth, I realize I mean it.
I won’t be proposing for a long time, Ellie deserves to have her own time, her own space, the media would have a field day if I were to propose now and that’s not fair to her at all, but eventually. I’m putting a ring on her finger.
Elle hears my joke and rolls her eyes good-naturedly at it. Thankfully I didn’t freak her out as she slides in beside me, slipping her hand into mine, smiling at our families, like how this is how it was always meant to be.