Epilogue
One Year Later
“Remington Lockley, we’re going to be late!”
Marcee grabbed her purse from the kitchen counter and swept into the living room, checking her makeup one last time in the mirror. If that man didn’t get in the living room in two point five seconds, she was going to lose it.
“Chill, best friend.” Alex moseyed in behind her from the kitchen, still in her pajamas. “You’ve lived in London for too long. You forget it only takes fifteen minutes max to get anywhere in Belle Cliff.”
Marcee refused to admit she was right. It took her an embarrassing amount of time to get used to the flow of things in the big city after having lived in Belle Cliff, even if she was a native New Yorker.
She was pleased to say, though, she could now get around London with the best of them, one year later.
It was still surreal to think of herself as a Londoner.
When they’d gotten back together after her surprise trip to London the year before, Remy had been supportive of her finding a new job in the States and doing long distance while they figured out what the future held.
She’d applied at a bunch of schools around Asheville, but openings were few and far between.
Despite her impressive season, the manner of her leaving the job at Pemberton and her limited experience led to getting passed over for other candidates.
Two months into the summer and she’d been no closer to a coaching job. Remy sent her a plane ticket to cheer her up, and it was during a family dinner with his parents one night that Gloria mentioned the job opening at the non-profit that ran sports programs for at-risk youth.
It was one of the riskiest things she’d ever done, but it’d paid off.
Remy strolled into the hallway, patting his pockets. “Yeah, chill, best friend.” He dodged her slap, grinning. “Anyone seen the car keys?”
Was it possible to still be so attracted to him, even after living together for an entire year?
Just looking at him in his gray dress pants and sports coat—the white button down opened at the neck a bit—she wanted to do unspeakable things to him.
Her heart thumped painfully. She hoped she would never get used to it.
Waking up next to him every morning in the home they picked out and bought together, swapping stories over the toast she’d burned, it was her own personal heaven.
“I’ve got them,” she replied, pulling them from her purse and dangling them in the air. “Let’s go already. We have a graduation to get to!”
“Love, why don’t you let me drive so we actually make it in one piece?” Remy pleaded.
“Nope! We’re back in my town, which means my rules. Besides, I’m not that bad of a driver.”
Alex coughed, barely covering up a choked laugh. “Have a great time! Tell Cope I said congratulations.”
Marcee headed for the door, her blue flowy summer dress swishing around her ankles. “I will. You sure you don’t want to come?”
“Can’t,” she replied. “My tournament starts soon. I’ll see you guys for dinner, though.”
Ah, yes. Warm weather meant more disc golf. She’d be gone every weekend, Marcee was sure.
“Sounds good. You’re going to kill it today. Love ya!” She marched out the door and Remy fell in behind her, reaching out to caress her backside. “Hands, sir! We’re about to be around children.”
“Then you shouldn’t have worn that dress,” he grumbled, rushing ahead to open the door for her.
Just to really get at him, she drove to Pemberton a little faster than necessary. She couldn’t help it; watching him grip the oh-shit bar was too funny, and she so rarely got the opportunity back home.
Home.
It’d taken a bit, but she’d finally gotten used to calling it that.
The parking lot at school was packed as they found a spot between two Range Rovers, her beloved Ronaldo sticking out like a sore thumb. As she climbed out, she got a text from Nicole, telling her to pass along her congratulations to Cope.
“Aw, Nicole sent a text for Cope!” she told Remy as they weaved through the cars and headed for the auditorium.
She expected to feel a sense of foreboding or anxiety now that she was back at the school for the first time since she was fired, but instead, Marcee was overwhelmed with nostalgia.
Wilkes had resigned after Bill Cope had gone to the school board and filled them in on his penchant for forcing sick children to play sports against doctor’s orders.
And the last she’d heard, Mark was persona non grata at every respectable school in the area after being reported for sexual harassment by no less than three female school personnel.
Graham was still swaggering around campus and coaching, but you couldn’t expect the entire institution to change in one year.
Regardless, she could finally look at the place and remember it was the start of everything.
“She’s a class act,” Remy said, grabbing the door for her and holding it open. “Is she still liking her job in New York?”
Marcee ducked under his arm and led the way inside. “The last I heard, yeah, but it’s been a few months. I should really check in with her again.” Being able to get Nicole an interview at Eli’s school after everything that went down at Pemberton, well, it was the least she could do.
After she handed off their tickets to the student at the door, she escorted them down to the front row, near the stage. Considering she was a bit of a pariah at the school, Marcee was shocked Cope managed to get them such good seats.
As the program started and the graduating students filed into the auditorium, taking up the left side, she noted all the faces of the girls from the soccer team—those in attendance and those graduating, including Harper and Hannah.
They’d grown so much since last year. She forced back tears, determined to make it until after the ceremony, at least.
The new headmaster gave a speech, followed by the class valedictorian.
Pemberton, true to form, brought in some finance bro as the commencement speaker to encourage the kids to go to college, and Marcee had a hard time not falling asleep when he somehow managed to stray into the benefits of diversified funding.
She’d never been so happy to see someone take a seat.
The ceremony ended after the graduating seniors got their diplomas and tossed their hats in the air, squealing and cheering with unabashed joy.
She and Remy stood as the chaos erupted around them.
“Do you see her?” Marcee yelled, arching her neck and scanning the room. It was madness.
“Not yet,” Remy yelled back.
Suddenly, a pathway cleared before them and her heart lurched as Cassidy Cope barreled toward her, a grin on her face like Marcee had never seen.
“Marcee!” she squealed, throwing her arms around her old coach and nearly knocking her over.
Marcee squeezed her back, arms clenching around her sturdy frame. She did start crying then, her tears splattering on the top of Cope’s head. She looked so beautiful, but even more, healthy.
“Oh, God,” Cope moaned, pulling away and rolling her eyes. Now that was classic Cope. She still had attitude for days. “Not you, too. I’ve already been sobbed over by my parents.”
Marcee wiped at her cheeks as she grinned. “Sorry, it’s the price you pay. I’m too damn proud of you, kid. You made it.”
“And I hear you’re going to Duke to play soccer,” Remy chimed in. He held out a hand. “Congratulations. It’s a terrific school.”
As Cope blushed and shook his hand, Marcee’s heart swelled with pride.
The fact that she chose her alma mater was wonderful, but knowing she was going into sports medicine—it made it even better.
She wanted to help female athletes who struggled with nutrition, and she couldn’t be prouder of Cope’s growth.
“Marcee,” Cope said, turning toward her.
She cleared her throat and Marcee swore there were actual tears in her eyes.
“I know I’ve said it before, but I have to say it again.
Thank you. Thank you for saving my life and getting me to this point.
I honestly wouldn’t be here if it weren’t for you.
Your texts and calls and support have meant everything to me. ”
And Marcee was crying again, big ugly tears tinted with mascara. Whoever put the waterproof label on it lied.
She grabbed Cope, pulling her in for a hug she held for a long time.
“Stay in touch, okay?” Marcee told her.
“Definitely,” she agreed. “I’ve got to get back to my parents for pictures. Let’s meet up at the community center before you leave! Maybe I can show you up, for old times’ sake. I know you’ve been slacking off since you stopped coaching!”
Marcee snorted. “Not even close. The kids keep me plenty active. But sure, just text me.” Running the sports program at the non-profit, she never would’ve believed how much it meant working with those kids after school and on weekends.
At first, it had taken her to an uncomfortable place, seeing the neglect and remembering her own.
After a bit, though, she realized she could connect with them in a way she couldn’t with other people.
In short, she was loving every minute of it.
Remy laced his fingers through hers as they left, stopping to say hello to a few students before they made it to the parking lot.
Marcee breathed in the sweet mountain air as the sun shined down on them, reveling in the blissful contentment that was her life.
“Any regrets about leaving?” Remy asked, motioning around at the school and the town.
She swung their arms as they walked, strides falling into step like they always had.
Marcee missed Alex desperately. Being so far away from her was like misplacing a piece of herself.
It’d been an adjustment for both of them.
They’d taken to having their Friday-night beef and broccoli via video chat, although it ended up being lunch for Alex.
Still, it took some of the sting out of the distance.
She even missed Freddie’s loudmouth and was trying to convince Remy to adopt their first pet together.
As for the Pemberton girls? Oh, she definitely missed them. She still planned to coach again, even though her new job gave her a sense of fulfillment she hadn’t expected.
So, did she miss the school and North Carolina? Sometimes. But what she’d gained was worth more to her than anything in the world.
Marcee leaned up and kissed his cheek, day-old stubble scraping across her lips.
“Not a one,” she told him truthfully. “Not a one.”