I turn back to Jake who’s perfectly calm and looks amused at my surprise. “You want to marry me?” I exclaim, just to make sure I'm not seeing things.
“Yes,” he says, then chuckles. “But now you’ve got this all backwards. That’s supposed to be your line.”
“Are you sure? Because we just met and-”
“Addy?” Jake interrupts. “You’re the only one I want to fight with, laugh with, and love for the rest of my life. So will you marry me?”
“Yes,” I finally say on a tearful exhale.
“Finally.” He laughs. “You don’t make anything easy, do you?”
“I like to keep you on your toes,” I joke.
“I wouldn’t have it any other way, sweet cheeks,” he says pulling my lips down to his.
Epilogue
Jake
Five years later…
There’s only ten seconds on the clock. We don’t have any more timeouts and the score is fourteen to ten. We’ve got to have a touchdown to win. On first and goal, the ball is at the Washington Wolves' twenty yard line, and there's only time for one last play.
Zack’s in the shotgun formation, reading the defense and calling out the snap count to the offensive line. Simpson hikes him the ball and I sprint forward and juke left before heading to the other side of the field. At the five yard line I look over my shoulder right as Zack hauls back and throws a perfect pass to me. I leap up right as the football hits me dead center over the eight-six on my jersey. As soon as my feet hit the ground I tuck the ball under my arm and take off for the end zone. From the corner of my eye I see the safety heading for me right as I dive over the orange pylon and the clock buzzes.
Still lying on the ground, I look to the sideline ref, waiting for his signal.
When both of his arms go straight up in the air chaos erupts in the indoor stadium.
Touchdown!
Everyone screams and cheers. My teammates jump on top of me, celebrating our win. When I finally come up from the pile, Zac lifts me off my feet and into the air, thanking me for making the catch that sealed the deal. We did it. We actually fucking did it!
Cameras, bright lights, and microphones are shoved into all of our faces, Zack’s more than anyone else’s. Confetti and balloons in our team colors of black and blue rain down on the entire field.
People are yelling out questions as I push my way through the crowd, looking for my gorgeous wife. Addy comes out of nowhere, throwing herself into my arms as she grabs me around the neck and I hold her to me.
“You were amazing,” she shouts against my ear so I can hear her.
“I know, right,” I agree, and she laughs.
“Your parents would’ve been so proud of you,” she says softer, causing my eyes to water as I look for my brothers. I found them on the sideline together with their wives and my niece and nephew, all of them wearing number eighty-six, and wave them over to us.
Once we all celebrate the win with hugs, it’s time for us to gather around the stage for the presentation of the Super Bowl trophy. Hearing them call my name as the MVP is bittersweet. I thank everyone in my speech, and try not to get too emotional. Eight years and I still miss them every damn day, especially on days like today. At least I have my teammates, who are like a second family to me, my best friend Zack, my brothers, and of course my wonderful wife.
“I love you,” Addy says when I step back on the field and wrap her in my arms.
“I love you, too,” I say with a kiss against her ear. “Always.”
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