Chapter 22

Twenty-Two

B y the time Saturday rolled around, Chance was floating. Everything was going great with Tori and Emmett, the team was thrilled to have him back at practice, and he was getting to play in the last game of the season.

They hadn’t made the playoffs but that was fine. It had been a weird year and he knew that next season would be even better for Bardley.

He snuck out before the game started to get a kiss from Tori. Sam had laughed at him and playfully scolded him about where he needed to be.

“I’m so happy to have you here, in my jersey, cheering for me,” he told her.

“There’s nowhere I’d rather be. Plus I’ve cheered for you before,” she winked at him.

“Oh? You’ll have to tell me more about that later,” he teased.

“Go. Before you’re late for the last game.”

“Can’t have that.” He kissed her again and headed back to the locker room.

“I offered her seats first,” Maddox pouted when he got back.

“He’s been like this since you left,” Aaron pointed at Maddox.

“I’m just saying. I get some credit here,” Maddox defended himself to the room.

Everyone burst out laughing, even Derek. “And we all appreciate you helping us get Chance back out here.”

The game was tied at one as they went into the last few seconds of extra time. Bradley had the ball and the team was playing more in sync than they had all season. They were giving it all and trying to break the tie.

Maddox crossed the ball in the air towards Chance who was right in front of the goal. The keeper hadn’t noticed him yet and he took his shot. Jumping in the air he sent his header toward the goal.

The crowd cheered before Chance even realized it had gone in. He ran to the back post and met his teammates for a celebration. It was brief but the game was over. As soon as the ball was kicked again, the ref blew the whistle. They had won and it was over.

Chance looked around the pitch for Tori, hoping Sam would bring them down with him. He got his wish as he watched her look around for him while tightly holding Emmett’s hand.

He ran straight for her. A few guys patted him on the back as he blew past.

“Tori,” he reached her.

“Chance. That was amazing.”

“You guys won!” Emmett was cheering.

“I’ll take this kid with me,” Maddox said as he scooped Emmett sideways, much the same way that Chance had the other night and carried him away.

“They will watch him” Chance reassured Tori.

“Oh, on that I have no doubt. What will they teach him though?” she laughed.

Chane mocked horrified at her words. “Probably how to spit. Maybe how to slide. We might need to worry about his ego, though. Pretty sure they are telling him he’s a good luck charm.”

“Guess you’ll have to help me with that.”

“I’ve got a few other things I can help you with, too.”

Chance picked her up again and kissed her. They stood there in the middle of the crowd completely lost in each other until Derek interrupted them.

“Sorry to break up the good times, but a few reporters want to talk to you,” Derek said. “Also someone might want to rescue Emmett from Maddox.”

Tori looked over in real horror as a group of women surrounded Maddox and Emmett, alternating between cooing at her kid and flirting with Maddox. “Is he using Emmett to pick up chicks?” she asked.

Chance sighed. “Let’s go get him. You guys can come to watch the less than fun part of scoring the last goal. I get to go give an interview.”

In the end, they didn’t watch, they participated. Everyone wanted to meet Emmett and get pictures of the three of them. She was shy at first but gave in because there was no real way of avoiding it when he kept her pressed to his side.

He wanted to show them off. His family. It was an amazing feeling to show them off and his pride soared at having them next to him.

With the interviews complete, she and Emmett waited outside the locker room for Chance who quickly changed.

“Are you going to live with us?” Emmett asked when he came out.

Chance choked. He wanted it, but they hadn’t talked about this. It was still early and he was doing his best to respect her boundaries even if he hadn’t been home in almost a week other than to get clothes.

He looked over at Tori who seemed less stunned than him.

“I think that’s something that’s up to Chance. Mom wants it.”

He grinned and nodded. “Looks like I have some packing to do, then.”

“I love you,” Tori whispered against his lips.

“I love you, too.” He took Tori’s hand in one of his and Emmett’s in the other. It was time to go home.