Epilogue
Breaking the Breakers: Post-Season Report
Well, fans, if Norwalk is feeling pretty lonely, it’s because all of our favorite players are lying low or taking flight this off season.
Trent Vogt’s contract negotiations are still up in the air, and he’s on his best behavior. Rumor has it that head coach Nathan Simmons is dragging his feet in a bid to bring in a comparable free agent. But who’s as good as Vogt?
His partner-in-crime, Frankie Vigil, was last seen hiking in Colorado. Cole Lakeland posted selfies from a yacht in Greece. Lucas White and Isaiah Cooper are training in Canada. Noa Kweame is setting up a nursery. And Rob Grant…well, y’all didn’t seriously think he’d be spotted doing anything scandalous during the off-season?
What about quarterback Diego Salazar? Or more importantly, who’s he with?
“You didn’t senda picture of us to Poppy, did you?” Diego asked.
His dark eyes narrowed on his phone, a faint wrinkle forming in the middle of his forehead. I grinned and brushed it away.
We sat on a pair of stools in front of a mobile eatery. Other diners crowded us from both sides. Slightly tipsy after a day of sightseeing, eating, and drinking, Diego and I collapsed at a pojangmacha street stall for some food before we wound our way back to the hotel room.
I scooped the phone out of his hands. “Did she post it?”
The harsh glare of fluorescent lighting against the setting sun made me squint to make out the picture. On the screen, Diego and I posed in front of a market in South Korea. Only, as I took the picture, a vendor handed Diego a giant rabbit shaped cotton candy, and his focus moved from the camera to the dessert. While I smiled at the camera, he stared at the confection, jaw dropped and eyes wide.
“We’ve taken some really nice pictures, and that’s the one you send to the gossip columnist?”
“Human interest related sports reporter,” I corrected. “And I love that picture. You look adorable.”
He rolled his eyes with a smile, shoving the last of the charred pork into his mouth. “Adorable isn’t really what I’m going for.”
“Heart-stoppingly attractive? Don’t worry. You nail that, too. Even when you’re in awe of a giant fluffy bunny.” I handed back his phone.
Four months after he flew up to New Hampshire, I was still in awe that Diego Salazar was my boyfriend. My friends, family, and long-forgotten acquaintances acted just as awed. The Diego Salazar.
Which, yes, dating Diego Salazar, football Adonis, Pro Bowl MVP, and most bangable player in the NFL, came with a host of expectations.
But dating Diego Salazar, a dorky tourist whose chiseled abs disappeared thanks to a six-week menu of noodles and sweets? Way better.
He set his on the table with a sigh. “Well, at least that’ll clear up the rumors that I dumped you for a K-pop star.”
“Is that a rumor? Really?”
He pressed his hand to his heart. “I have an email from James and everything.”
“Well, those women are incredible performers. I wouldn’t blame you. I can’t even dance, let alone sing while doing it.”
“Don’t sell yourself short. You’re the original triple threat.”
I raised an eyebrow. “Am I?”
“Internationally renowned ghost tour operator, incredibly talented bartender, and disc golf pro.”
“You’re forgetting water valve operator and gravy chef extraordinaire.”
Diego bumped his shoulder into mine. “Gravy chef extraordinaire?”
“I’m exceptional. Your mom told me.”
“My mom is smitten with you and willing to overlook lumpy gravy.”
“She sees my potential.” I sighed happily, resting my head on Diego’s shoulder as the chef handed him a plate of noodles. “Do we really have to go back to New Hampshire? You remember what the food is like there, right?”
Diego kissed my forehead as his arm slipped around my shoulders. “Sadly, we do. Or at least I do. If you want to keep traipsing all over Asia, I can’t entirely blame you. But if I don’t get about sixteen hours away from ramen and Sikhye, I’m going to lose a fairly lucrative contract and a shot at the Super Bowl.”
Six months ago, I would have happily continued a solo tour of Asia or Europe or anywhere else I could afford. But with an entire lifetime in front of us, I would rather wait for Diego to be by my side.
“Beautiful New Hampshire, it is. I’ll dine on lobster, you dine on protein shakes. And then, we win a Super Bowl.”