Epilogue
JAMESON
Until Francesca met me on the field, holding her iPhone with my girl on FaceTime.
“You’re fucking wild! Did you just propose to an escort on live television?”
I’m bent down on the field, trying to hear every word she says, but there’s only one I need to hear.
“Pip, don’t keep me waiting. Tell me you love me. Tell me your truth!”
“Jameson! I love you, and I’m sorry, and I want forever with you, and oh my God, you just won the Super Bowl, and you’re talking to me on the phone, don’t you need to –”
“Pip! Give me the words!”
I look her in the eye, both of us crying as she nods furiously. “Yes, YES!”
“Thank fuck! Penelope, I love you. I’m coming home to get you!”
“Go get your trophy. Then get your ass home.”
Twelve hours later, I was walking through the door of her apartment, ring in hand.
Fourteen hours later, I was thanking her, for the third time, for taking me back.
Forty-eight hours later, we were riding a float through the city, and I’m on top of the world. It doesn’t get any better than this.
“Look at this crowd! I still can’t believe we did it!
” Connor is admiring the Super Bowl Ring on his hand as we sit atop the float, slowly making its way down Broad Street for our Homecoming Super Bowl parade.
People are lining the streets and climbing the poles to get a closer look.
We’re tossing T-shirts and beers, and the party that has been going on for two days straight doesn’t look like it’s stopping anytime soon.
“Hey, I got a call from Dane asking to put him in touch with Jackson. Do you know what it’s about?”
Connor shrugs. “Dane Beckett? Wow, haven’t heard from him in a while. Last I knew, he’s a college scout. After he got hurt, his school kept him on because he knows his shit. He can spot a kid a state away and know where he belongs. Maybe he’s interested in someone on Jackson’s team?”
“Makes sense. I’ll give Francesca his number. She can handle it and pass him through.”
Our float comes to a stop, signaling we’ve reached the end of the parade. There will be speeches, drinking, and more speeches. I’m still running on pure adrenaline right now.
“Jameson!” Looking out at the crowd, I see my family and my girl. She starts toward the float, but trips off the sidewalk. Luckily, my dad and Mark are there to catch her. Laughing, she pushes her glasses back up her nose and looks up at me.
“Don’t. Move,” I yell out and climb over the side of the float, much to the crowd's surprise, and jump down. I jog to her, picking her up and swinging her around.
“Maybe we’ll be the fresh faces of the Rent-a-Date site? What do you say? Should we give them a show?”
A cameraman comes barreling up to us, and Penelope holds out her hand, showing off the diamond ring on her finger as I kiss her relentlessly.
“Not bad for a rookie, huh?”
“Truth?”
“Always.”
“Now that you’re stuck with me for life, rookie, I think I’m going to need more lessons in football. You know, some hardcore learning.”
“Do I have to sign a contract?” She smacks my shoulder, and I hold her tighter. “I couldn’t imagine signing a contract with anyone but you, Pip. You’re it for me.”
THE END