Epilogue Two
Keaton
Mid-August…
There are tens of thousands of people here, but I’m only focused on one.
Fy seren.
She’s in the owner’s box with the Decker triplets, her mom, and my parents.
I haven’t seen her since this morning, and it took every ounce of control I had not to wake her. I had to leave early and she had a late night, having accepted a few appointments to occupy her while I was at the compound prepping for today’s game.
We’re playing the Sandusky Jaguars and it’s a big rivalry since it involves Michigan and Ohio.
The states have a long-standing enemy vibe that goes from college to the pros.
Our first game of the season, and theirs, being against each other is by design, I’m sure.
It’s a huge draw from both fan bases and our respective news stations enjoy hyping up their audiences.
It brings viewers, after all, which boosts their ratings.
Cameron Walters, a linebacker for the Jaguars, is a frequent focus of highlight reels. The man will grace the hall of fame one day.
Our next two games are against the Salt Lake City Saints and Las Vegas Fortune.
They’re good, but we’re better.
I’m riding a high of love this year and feel unstoppable.
Victory Bowl here we come.
With the season just starting, there are a lot of competitors to defeat, but I have confidence in our team.
Right before the coin toss, I unerringly find Lily.
Her eyes are locked on me and she’s blowing me a kiss.
I act as if I’m capturing it, then press my palm to my lips, wishing I could have the real thing from her.
She fake swoons, my dad rushing forward like he’s catching her before she falls.
My mom looks on, shaking her head and laughing at us. But I see her happiness.
She’s thrilled for me and she and my dad love Lily almost as much as I do.
Getting in formation, I wait for Gael Lansing, our center, to snap the ball to me. With my planned target in sight, I lob it at Chasen Lowell. The man is a machine of a wide receiver.
He dips and weaves around the opposition, avoiding those determined to ensure he doesn’t score.
The irony of them chasing a man named Chasen is something sports announcer love to have fun with. When he crosses the line, two feet solidly on the turf proclaiming this Mavericks territory, the crowd goes wild.
It’s the first of many goals, not that the Jaguars make it easy for us.
In the end, we come out on top, though only by three.
We shake hands with the other team, Beck having instilled in us the importance of good sportsmanship.
I rush through removing my gear and showering, unable to wait a second longer than necessary to see Lily.
She’s standing there when I come out, her wedding set like a VIP pass that gives her access to places few can go.
While we replaced the rings her mom had given us at our surprise ceremony, we put them in a shadow box along with a few other mementoes from our life together.
I can’t wait to start making memories to fill the next, and the next, and the next.
Running to me, I can’t get enough of that excitement to see me, I scoop her up and carry her down the tunnel and toward the lot.
Our parents brought her here, but she’s going home with me.
And she always will.
Stay tuned for more, sports fans.
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