Epilogue

Quinn

"Come on, Ava! We're gonna be late!" I yell from outside the bathroom in our hotel room.

"Are you sure this is a good idea?" She asks, pulling at the hem of the Eagles jersey. The Eagles jersey with Remi's number on it.

I nod, "Of course. He's gonna love that you're supporting him. Trust me, Gavin loves seeing me in his jersey."

"I'm not gonna look like a stalker?" She questions, begging for reassurance.

"No, silly. Now let's go, our boys are playing for the championship."

When we make it to the stadium, it's insane. They are playing in a professional arena and there are camera crews, merch, and vendor tents for as far as the eye can see. But what's even more impressive is the amount of black and gold. It's like the entire university is here. This crowd would fill our stadium three, maybe four times.

The game is in Miami so it's warm, way warmer than back home, and I decided to wear a black dress with gold jewelry. I have a necklace with Gavin's number on it, I had to represent him. I didn't want to wear Gavin's jersey and take away from Ava. If we both wore them it would look like a trend, if it's just her it will be a statement. Plus, Gavin knows how I feel about him whether I'm in his jersey or not.

"I can't believe they made it here, at the beginning of the season there was no way I would have predicted this." Ava says.

"I know," I agree. "I'm so proud of them."

"Me too," She says. "Let's go find our seats."

We push through the crowd and find where we are supposed to sit. Gavin's parents are here. I haven't seen them since Christmas a couple weeks ago but his mom immediately hugs me. I know that eventually we will become close, she's just like Gavin and I love it. His dad speaks to me nicely but isn't overly talkative, maybe we'll get there, one day. As long as he is good to Gavin, then he's okay by me.

Remington's family is also close by. Ava knows his sister from a fake date she went on with Remi.

"Remi said you weren't gonna make it today?" His sister says to Ava, hugging her.

"Canceled my plans," she shrugs. "Didn't wanna miss it."

"He'll be happy to have his girlfriend here." She smiles sweetly, sitting back down in her seat.

"Girlfriend?" I whisper. "I thought y'all we're fake dating for one date?"

Ava rolls her eyes, "Long story."

"Oh my God, Avie. They think y'all are dating, don't they?"

She nods, then whisper-growls at me, "Yes, now shut up so they don't hear you."

"Oh, this is good." I snicker.

"I'm gonna tell him how I really feel. I'm shooting my shot tonight," she says confidently.

"Good," I state. "It's about time."

The game goes just as ESPN expected. Ridge U is explosive on offense as is the other team and they go back and forth, scoring nearly every drive. It was predicted to be a high scoring game and it is. Gavin is playing the best game of his entire football career. I know that because his dad is telling everyone around them.

He's already scored three touchdowns and the last one is a beautiful seventy yard touchdown pass straight to Gavin in the endzone. The crowd goes wild. I mean absolutely electric.

In the end, the other team can't stop us and we get ahead by a touchdown and stop them to get the ball back. The Ridge U Golden Eagles slam the door on any doubts anyone brought with them on the outcome of this game. They win big.

The clock runs out and fans storm the field. I try my best to stay near Ava so we can find the guys. Confetti is falling around us and finally I spot Remi. I hug him and offer congratulations, but I know immediately when he sees Ava. There's a certain sparkle in his eye that I know means he's happy.

He hugs her and I can see them talking. I walk away to find Gavin, letting them have their moment.

Finally, I find Levi, who surprisingly runs to me, picks me up off the ground and twirls me around. "We did it!"

I giggle, "Yeah you did! Where's Gav?"

He stands on his tiptoes looking over the crowd, "I just saw him with mom a few seconds ago. I don't know where he went."

I walk around the field for a few more seconds until I feel his presence behind me, it's that feeling I get anytime he's around.

"Looks like I found my prize." I turn to face him. His voice is gruff and there's sweat still dripping from his hair.

I turn around and jump into his arms. "I'm so proud of you."

He kisses me softly, "Thank you. You know football isn't so bad when there are moments like this as the reward."

"Yeah?"

He nods, "Yeah, I could get used to this."

As the confetti continues to fall, he looks up and I notice something peeking out from the side of his neck. "What's that?" I ask, pulling him closer to inspect the spot that appears to be a tattoo.

My heartbeat quickens as I notice exactly what it says. The script is small in a fine line behind his ear down his neck. You have to be right up on him to notice it.

Daisy .

I run my finger down it, and watch as his lips turn upward into a smile. "You like it?"

I feel tears burn my eyes as I stare at it. This is everything I've ever wanted. He is everything I've ever wanted.

"Gavin, I love you."

His smile turns into a smirk, "You just now figuring that out, pretty girl?"

I shake my head, "No, I've known for a while. I love you."

He smiles, "Say it one more time, just for good measure."

Rolling my eyes, I pull him close to me, "I love you, I love you, I love you."

Planting the softest kiss on my lips, he pulls away and opens his eyes to mine. "I love you, Daisy."

Thank you so much for reading Heart of Gold . Stay tuned for the second book in the Golden Boys Duet Heart 2 Heart . Coming Soon!