chapter 111
Chase sat in the locker room, his hands on his head, trying to clear his head, to say a prayer of thanks, the weight of the last season, of the last decade, suddenly gone.
They had won. He had her. Champagne sprayed, cold mist showering, and he was pulled to his feet, pushed into the center of the room, hands everywhere, on his back, his head, his arms. Smiles all around, love in the air.
For the first time, since high school, he really felt the love, the bind, the feel of family.
Funny how quickly hearts warmed when championships were won.
Or maybe he was just now open to it, everything rosy when he had her in his future.
He was gripped tightly and he smiled, a smile that hurt in its stretch.
A chant started, and he tilted his chin back and yelled, a belt of joy that joined in on the chorus.
She was right. This team was a family. One she was leaving for him. The depth of the sacrifice warmed his heart, his devotion to her aching in its ferocity. All the more reason to start their own family. Together, with their love, they could have it all. Together, they would build it all.
For a moment where everything had finally come together, something felt off.