EXTENDED EPILOGUE

Noelle

“Oh my god,” I gasp as I rip the paper away from the gift Hendrix and Wilder have given me.

We agreed to do this. Hell, it was my idea. But now I’m regretting it.

Every year for as long as I can remember, I’ve bought Hendrix and me matching Christmas sweaters. Yeah, we were a couple long before we were a couple—I’m realizing that now.

But this year, I thought it would be fun if they bought my sweater and I bought theirs.

I love the ones I got for them; they’re perfect.

But the one they’ve got for me… it’s not entirely appropriate, seeing as we’re spending the day with their big sister and her husband. It’s already bad enough that Lori has asked me about the things we get up to. She doesn’t need to see this. Kian… he’ll probably think it’s hilarious, which is possibly even worse.

“I can’t wear this,” I explain.

“We agreed,” Wilder points out with a smirk.

I sigh, wishing I didn’t play it so safe with my choices for them.

“Okay. Fine.”

Getting up from the bed we shared last night, I grab their wrapped sweaters from my closet and pass them over.

They glance at each other before ripping into the paper.

Both of them laugh at the same time as they read the text on their sweaters.

Hendrix’s reads ‘I’m the nice one,’ while Wilder’s reads ‘I’m the naughty one.’

They’re perfect.

“I can’t believe I’m doing this,” Wilder says as he pulls his on.

But while he might have done nothing but complain about this little tradition of mine, he’s suspiciously enthusiastic about wearing it.

“Your turn,” Hendrix encourages once they’re both ready for the day.

Grabbing my sweater, I roll my eyes and pull it on.

I love a good holiday sweater, but this isn’t the cute type that I usually choose.

With my sweater on, I walk over to my mirror and stare at myself.

The text might be backward in the reflection, but I can read it perfectly.

I’m so good, Santa came twice.

I am not wearing this out in public. I just can’t.

“You look hot,” Hendrix says, barely able to contain his smirk.

“And it’s only hotter knowing that a double load of cum is currently dribbling out of you.”

“Gross,” I mutter, although I’m unable to argue.

We certainly started this Christmas with a bang.

A quiet bang, seeing as their sister and brother-in-law are in our guest room, but a bang nonetheless.

“You love it,” Wilder teases before tugging my hair so that my head turns his way and he can steal my lips, stopping me from arguing—or agreeing, because let’s be honest, he is right.

“Shall we?” Hendrix asks once Wilder releases me.

“Yep. I’m starving.”

“All that sexercise will do that,” Wilder mocks.

“Behave,” I warn before pulling our bedroom door open and heading for the stairs.

The scent of waffles and bacon wafts up, letting us know that Kian is already getting the day started. It’s certainly a benefit of having them stay.

My stomach growls as we descend the stairs, and I brace myself for impact.

Lori isn’t the kind of big sister that will let this one slide. She’s just not.

“Good morning,” she sings from her position at the island when the three of us step into the room. “Nice swea—oh my god,” she laughs.

“What?” Kian asks, spinning around to see before he snorts.

“Don’t. Just… don’t,” I mutter, stalking toward the coffee machine by way of a distraction.

“We didn’t say anything,” Lori says innocently from behind me. “It’s... cute?” I’m not sure it’s meant to come out as a question, but it does.

“Cute?” Kian echoes. “That on top of the noises we heard coming out of their room this morning certainly isn’t cute.”

“Oh my god,” I mutter, dropping my face into my hands as my cheeks blaze.

“It’s cool. We’re not innocent either. Did I tell you about that time Lorelei and I?—”

“Stop,” Wilder begs. “Please, stop.”

“Oh, sorry. Would you like me to spell it out on a Christmas sweater instead?” Kian quips.

“Told you that sweater was a bad idea,” Hendrix mutters, walking toward the cupboard with the coffee mugs in.

“Hey, you agreed. And, I might add, you also thought it was funny.”

Hendrix remains quiet.

“Isn’t this nice,” Lori muses, “all of us together again at Christmas?”

I think back to last year, and while I get the warm and fuzzies as I remember our time away and the beginning of our relationship, it’s also twinged with sadness. Lori is right; being together is what Christmas is about. And although last year was epic, this right now, being a family, is perfect.

Plus, none of us could have gone away this year. There is something too big happening for any of us to leave.

“How are you feeling?” Lori asks Wilder as he takes a seat next to her, leaving Hendrix and me to fix up coffee.

“Pretty good. Ready.”

Looking over, I study him for a moment.

He’s right. He is.

The whole team is.

Just like he predicted after their first win of the season against last year’s championships, they did it.

They made it to the playoffs, and we’re all heading to the Rose Bowl in a couple of days to watch Wilder play the biggest game of his career.

I’m not entirely happy about returning to California. I know that the stadium is nowhere near where we grew up and all the nightmares we left behind, but just being in the state will be enough.

I hope the excitement of the game, and then hopefully the win, will help distract us all from being closer to our hometown than we have in months.

If I never return to that place, it’ll be too soon.

“You’re going to kill it,” Kian says proudly.

“Is Kieran really coming?” Wilder asks in disbelief.

“Said he is,” Kian says as he places some steaming hot waffles on the plates before him.

Wilder shakes his head, and pride for my man washes through me.

No one outside of this house knows that he’s nervous. I’ve seen him with his teammates and he’s the picture of confidence. I love that we get this side of him.

I take our coffees over to the table, and Kian and Lori bring our loaded plates. The five of us sit down for our first meal of the day with smiles on our faces and love in our hearts.

With my knife and fork in my hand, I get ready to eat, but before I do, my mind wanders to Christmases gone by.

I squeeze my eyes closed as one particular Christmas morning comes to mind.

Our trailer was freezing. We were in the middle of a storm, and the electricity was off. Our parents had been up most of the night drinking and taking fuck knows what. Nick was hungry. Hell, he was always hungry. I did what I could, made sure he had as much as I could get him, but I was a kid, and I was starving too.

I remember watching the sun come up, wishing that we even had just one decoration.

I’d made some things at school, but our parents didn’t care and they’d disappeared almost as soon as I’d brought them home.

I didn’t even want the holidays like I’d seen on the TV. I just wanted warmth and parents who gave a shit. I wasn’t desperate for gifts. Although, I’d have given anything to give Nick something worthwhile.

I don’t remember how much time passed with us huddled together, trying to stay warm, when a knock sounded on the front door.

My saviors were on the other side.

Hendrix and Wilder were standing there, offering us an escape.

They didn’t have much more than we did, but their dad was still there at that point. He had a job and there was some money—not a lot, but enough for food.

They invited us to their trailer, and the second we stepped inside, I discovered that it wasn’t a power outage because of the storm. It was because no one had paid for it.

We spent all day there, playing games and being silly.

It was probably the first Christmas I got to feel the warmth of love from people who cared.

“Are you okay?” Hendrix asks.

When I look up, I find my vision is blurry with tears.

“Noelle?” he whispers, his brows pinching with concern.

“I’m okay. Just… remembering worse times.”

“Noelle,” he warns.

“No, it’s okay. It means I appreciate this so much more.”

He smiles at me. There’s so much love and understanding in his eyes that it makes me burn with even more emotion.

“All our Christmases are going to be full of love and laughter from now on.”

“I love you,” I choke out.

“I love you too.”

“I love you three,” Wilder says, reaching for my thigh under the table.

Glancing up, I find Lori and Kian watching us.

“Thank you for coming. Having you here with us means everything,” I say honestly.

Lori smiles softly, looking a little emotional herself.

“We wouldn’t be anywhere else.”

“She’s not kidding; you should see the health fest Christmas dinner Kingston forces us to eat when we go there.”

“Poor Tate,” Lori muses, looking concerned about her best friend.

“It’s fine. Kieran and Effie are there. He’ll make sure there is real food,” Kian says with a smirk.

“We’ll call them later, see how they’re doing,” Lori says. “We can’t have Prince thinking that having pureed peas and lentils is normal on Christmas day.”

“Seriously?” Wilder asks, his top lip curling in disgust.

“It’ll be something moronic like that,” Kian mutters, pouring more syrup onto his waffles, proving that while he might be very much in shape, he is not a health nut like his older brother. “Poor child has no idea the kind of hell he’s going to have to endure with Kingston as his dad.”

“It’s fine, his mom is fucking awesome.”

“Yeah,” Kian muses. “His uncles are pretty cool too.”

Laughter fills the room, and I let out a happy sigh.

Family. It doesn’t matter if it’s blood or one you’ve made yourself. When it’s right, it’s everything.

“Where are our seats?” I ask as we walk into the stadium hand in hand.

Lori and Kian left the morning after Christmas Day so they could watch Kieran play.

If the Titans hadn’t made the playoffs, we were going to spend the holidays in Chicago and go to the game with them. But Wilder couldn’t leave. Other than Christmas Day, he’s been training and getting ready for this.

“I’ve got a surprise for you,” Hendrix says cryptically.

“O-Okay,” I muse, wondering what the hell he could surprise me with in a football stadium.

He knows I’m desperate to see Wilder and wish him good luck one more time, but there’s no way in hell he’s going to make that happen. So…

“This way,” he says, tugging me to the left and around the side.

The place is huge. I mean, I was expecting it to be. It’s the freaking Rose Bowl. But I still underestimated just how huge this is. Both figuratively and literally.

Being here, playing this game, is a dream that so many don’t ever get to experience. And yet, Wilder is down in the locker room right now, about to step out on that field and make it a reality.

To say I’m proud of him would be an understatement.

I let Hendrix lead me around the stadium. Considering he’s never been here before either, he seems to know exactly where he’s going.

“Hendrix?” I question after we pass a sign which states there are suites in this direction. “Are you sure we’re going the right way?”

“Yep, very sure.”

My heart begins to race as realization settles.

Sure, we’ve watched Kieren play from a suite before. It’s how the Callahans always watch the Bears play.

But I was not expecting it here.

There’s a small part of me that’s disappointed that we’re not going to be in the thick of it with the rest of the Titans fans. But there’s a bigger part that’s excited to do this in style.

It’s already going to be unforgettable; this is only going to make it more so.

“Here we are,” he says, slowing to stop at a door. He scans our tickets on his cell, and miraculously, the door unlocks for us.

The second we push inside, the sound of excited voices hits my ears.

Some I recognize, others I don’t.

“You’re here,” Lori cries before rushing over and pulling us both in for a hug.

Kian is next, and then we find Kieran and Effie waiting to greet us.

“He’s so fucking stoked that you’re here, man,” Hendrix explains to Kieran. “Noelle,” he greets, pulling me in for a hug. “You’ve met my girl, right?”

Once we’ve all said our hellos, Kieran explains, “I brought some friends. I hope you don’t mind.” He points over to the family watching us, and I’m hit with recognition.

It’s the lady from the first game of the year and her cute little girl.

Benny’s sister.

“This is Colton Rogers, his wife Ella, and their little girl Ellison,” Kieran explains. “Ella is Benny’s sister. As much as I want to take the credit for securing this place, it was him really.”

“Aw, is he more famous than you, Bro?” Kian teases.

“Fuck off.”

“I am, though,” Colton announces. “Hey, nice to meet you.”

I’ve heard of Colton; Wilder has spoken about him in the past few months. He and a number of players on the Seattle Saints roster used to play for the Maddison Kings Panthers. The Saints are one of the teams he follows, one of many, and we’ve seen quite a few of their games.

Once all the introductions are made, we all grab drinks and seats, and wait.

My heart is in my throat, and butterflies flutter wildly in my stomach.

It seems to take forever for the action to begin, but once it does, I swear time grinds to a halt.

All I want is to see Wilder.

Sure, the national anthem is great, the cheerleaders are fantastic, and the build-up to the game is phenomenal, but with every second that passes, my need for him grows.

“They’re gonna do this, you know that, right?” Hendrix says, wrapping his arm around my shoulders and pulling me in tight.

“I really hope they do.” The thought of them getting this far and losing… no, I refuse to consider it. Wilder would be inconsolable.

“Elle,” Hendrix sighs. “No matter what, he’ll be okay.”

“I just want this for him so badly.”

“So do I,” he confesses, his eyes bouncing between mine.

I’m so lost in Hendrix that I miss what’s going on around us.

“They’re coming,” Lori says, rushing over and practically pressing herself against the glass.

As amusing as it is, I do the same thing.

Fireworks go off, but it’s the opposing team who hit the field first.

I swear, I don’t breathe as they all run out.

He’s going to be waiting down there.

Does he know where we are?

Will he try and find me?

Is he ready?

Hendrix’s fingers thread through mine. His grip alone tells me that he’s nervous.

And then, with a huge announcement through the speakers, our suite and half of the stadium go wild as the Trinity Royal Titans are announced.

My heart thunders in my chest, my grip on Hendrix’s hand tightening as they emerge.

Tears burn my eyes as an unbelievable rush of pride floods through me as he runs onto the field.

Sure, they’ve already been out practicing. But we weren’t up here then.

It was at Wilder’s request. He wanted to focus on practice and get into the right headspace.

But he knows we’re here now. The second he slows his eyes land straight on us.

“Do you think he can see us in here?” I whisper, suddenly hating being behind glass.

“It doesn’t matter,” Hendrix responds. “He knows.”

And he does because his hand lifts to his helmet, and he blows me a kiss before turning and joining his team ready to start.

I’m sure football fans would describe the game as fantastic.

I’m sure if I were watching it without being so invested, I’d probably say the same.

But, oh my god, the game is torture in its purest form.

The teams are so tight. One scores, and then the other comes back and does the same.

There is never more than a handful of points between them.

By the time we’re into the fourth quarter, I’m a wreck.

Hell, everyone in the box looks like they’ve been through a war zone.

“This could be the Titans’ last chance. They need a touchdown before the whistle blows if they want to secure this win.”

The Titans fans go wild once more.

“Oh my god,” I whimper, feeling the pressure and I’m nowhere near the field.

With our hearts in our throats, we watch the two downs as the minutes tick away.

“Four yards,” comes through the speaker. “Just four yards for another first down.”

I glance at the clock. There isn’t enough time for another first down. The Titans need to do this now.

Come on Wild Child.

They line up, looking strong and confident.

Just one touchdown before the whistle and it’s theirs.

Sucking in a deep breath, I swear everything happens in slow motion as the ball is snapped. The Titans quarterback fakes a throw to the right, and the opposition follows it, leaving Wilder free on the left.

He takes off running, his eyes locked on his quarterback.

Come on, Wilder.

He’s ready; I can see it in his stance, in the power of his legs.

The pig skin is launched into the air a beat before he’s sacked, and I swear my heart stops.

I don’t see anything that’s happening elsewhere, my eyes are fully focused on the ball, and then my man running ready to catch it.

“COME ON, WILDER,” Lori screams, her fists banging against the window.

I want to scream, to shout words of encouragement, but I can’t. I’m frozen. My voice is useless.

“Come on. Come on,” Hendrix mutters quietly as Wilder runs like he’s never run before.

The defense has noticed him now and they’re closing in, but he doesn’t look back. He doesn’t falter at all as he races toward his target.

Yes. Yes, yes, yes.

He touches the ball down behind the line and lifts his arms over his head as the stadium erupts.

The noise seems to kickstart my heart again, or that might happen the moment Hendrix wraps me in a bone-crushing celebratory hug.

He did it.

They did it.

Semifinals, here we come.

If my nerves can take it…

The final whistle blows, although it can’t be heard over the celebrations.

The Titans rush the field as they celebrate together.

Watching them achieve their dreams, seeing their happiness is the final straw, and a sob erupts as I break down.

“Noelle?” Hendrix gasps, taking me in his arms.

“I’m okay,” I whimper. “Happy tears.”

His chest shakes as he laughs lightly at me.

“I love you, Elle.

“I love you too, Rix.”

The second I lay eyes on Wilder, my legs take on a life of their own. I don’t care who is in my way; there is nothing or no one stopping me from getting to him.

I launch from the ground long before I probably should, but I’m not worried; I know he’ll catch me.

And he does.

His arms lock around me as I find his lips.

Our kiss is off the charts and is the perfect tease for what I know is going to come later on.

We started a tradition on the first night of the season.

Wilder gets me first on game nights.

He gets to do whatever he wants with me for a previously specified time, and the second that time is up, Hendrix joins us to continue the celebration.

It doesn’t matter if it’s a win or a loss; we celebrate everything.

Together.

“You were amazing. I’m so proud of you,” I tell him as soon as our lips part.

“We did it,’ he says almost in disbelief, his eyes boring into mine,

“You did, Wilder. You did.”

I hug him so tight it hurts, but I don’t care.

A warm hand lands on my back and we look over to find Hendrix.

“Proud of you, Bro.”

“Thanks, man,” Wilder says before Hendrix wraps us both in a hug.

“But before we head off and party, you need to come and speak to a couple of people,” Hendrix explains.

“But the party...” He pouts, making me laugh.

“It’ll be worth it,” I promise.

He lowers me to my feet and I take his hand, leading him toward everyone we left behind.

Kieran puts his hands to his mouth and bellows Wilder’s name in celebration.

“Oh my god,” Wilder laughs. The smile on his face as one of his heroes focuses on him and his success is so freaking beautiful. And it only gets better a second later. “Fuck. Colton Rogers came to our playoff game?”

“The one and only,” Colt says smugly, earning himself a slap on the shoulder from his wife.

He laughs it off before walking closer with Kieran to congratulate Wilder.

I try to slip away to let him have his moment with his heroes, but Wilder refuses to release his grip on my hand.

Happiness radiates from him as the professionals talk about his impressive stats from the game. Wilder eats it all up, hanging onto their every word.

“Benny,” Ella shrieks, finally bringing Wilder’s moment to an end as everyone turns on her little brother.

“Wow, just… wow,” Wilder whispers in my ear after he pulls me in for a bone-crushing hug.

“You deserve it. One day, you’re going to be playing with them in the NFL. Just you wait.”

He pulls back and looks into my eyes as Hendrix steps up behind me and locks his hand on my hip.

“I thought it was all just a dream, Rebel. All of this, you… I can’t…”

Entwining my fingers with Hendrix’s, I tug Wilder closer.

“It’s all very real. Enjoy it.”

“Oh, I am,” he agrees, his eyes darkening with wicked thoughts. “But not as much as you’re going to later.”