Epilogue

EPILOGUE

ASH

One year later

This was it. The game that would change it all for us. It was the last quarter, and we were down by three in a game that would decide if we were making the playoffs or not.

Thirty seconds ago, we were under a minute from losing this game and being sent home with nothing to show for how well our team pulled together this year. This was do or die, and our defense rocked. When our outside tackle stripped the ball from the rusher and our safety landed on it, ensuring we had the ball and a first down, I never cheered so loud.

I pulled on my helmet, snapped on my chin strap, shoved my mouth guard between my teeth, and settled into position on the line of play. Behind me, Addy called the audible.

Everybody moved, shifting into position, just like we'd practiced hundreds of times before. I bumped and steered the defense away from Addy, giving him the time he needed to see his receiver and let loose.

The game clock counted down, and I swore we didn't have enough time, but none of us gave up. I felt the moment before I even saw it happen. Vibrations ensued as the crowd went wild. Gunner, our best wide receiver, had made the catch in the end zone.

We did it. We made the playoffs.

We ran to the end zone where Addy waited for us. More cheers surrounded us as my teammates laughed, hugged, and some even cried. Hell, I hadn't even known my cheeks were wet until I tasted the saltiness running into my mouth. And even through the tears, I couldn't keep the smile off my face.

The rest of the moment went by in a blur as they announced the Austin Troopers had made the playoffs. As a videographer panned across our team, transmitting our images to the Jumbotron, I waved, knowing that my family and Jay were watching.

I could already imagine the look on Jay's face from seeing us win. He'd been cheering me on through the entire season, even as things got busier at the studio.

Sam had moved back to Kither Springs, which meant Jay had longer hours at the studio. And with my schedule already being hectic, that meant we had even less time for each other. The constant video calls were the only thing keeping me from flying back home to him every other day. I missed him like there was a part of me missing these past months, but I'd made a promise to focus on my last season and I'd done that.

Coach hadn't taken my decision well, but nobody could change my mind. We decided to keep news of my retirement until the season ended, but I had told my teammates about my boyfriend. I wasn't going to hide Jay from them, though most hadn't been surprised considering they'd seen me video calling Jay any free time I had.

The Troopers took the news of my sexuality in stride, which shouldn't have surprised me considering there were a couple of gay members on the team already, but I was still grateful by my team's easy acceptance, nevertheless.

We hit the showers, and the first thing I wanted to do was to call Jay and share this win with him, but I wasn't given any time. Coach called for us to get into our suits and back out for the press. Even after years under media scrutiny, I'd never gotten used to all the cameras and microphones pointed my way. Thankfully, I mostly had to smile and stand with my teammates while the others did all the talking.

When they finally let us go, I sprinted to grab my items and had my phone pulled out. I called Jay as I walked back to the hotel. The others wanted to hit a bar to celebrate, but I told them I'd catch up with them later. They all laughed and shot me knowing looks as they made their way to the nearest bar.

Jay answered the call with his face so close to the screen, all I could see were his eyes and nose. Before either of us could say anything, I was already laughing at the sight. He pulled his face back just enough so that I could see his entire face and nothing else.

"Congrats on the win!" Jay exclaimed. "I'm so fucking proud of you!"

I thanked him, entered the elevator, and pressed the button to my floor. We were silent as the elevator went up since the signal wasn't the best, but I was able to continue staring at his beautiful face. "I miss you so much," I said when I arrived on my floor. I was barely paying attention to my surroundings since my entire focus was glued to my screen that I didn't even notice I'd bumped into someone until it had happened.

"Shit, I'm sorry," I said, bouncing off the other person. I bounced backwards, almost losing my balance, but arms wrapped around me and pulled me into their chest so that I didn't fall.

I muttered a thanks and quickly pulled out of the stranger's arms. I doubted paparazzi were following me, but I didn't want to chance a picture of me hugging a random person to show up online. The only one I wanted to be photographed with was Jay, so I quickly stepped back, but the arms didn't let me go. Confused on why the stranger was holding me like this, I looked up to a very familiar face.

"I thought you said you missed me," he said with a magnetizing chuckle.

"Jay? You…what…how are you here?" I stumbled through the words as I processed the fact that Jay was actually here in front of me right now .

"I missed you, too," he said instead of answering and kissed me. It had been so long since I'd last gotten to taste him, that I was instantly on him and pushing him against my door. If there were cameras around, they were definitely getting a show.

Jay was clear-headed enough to urge me to open the door to my hotel room. We were stumbling in and crashing on my bed not long later. I was thankful my roommate had gone out for drinks with the other boys, so that Jay and I had the room to ourselves.

We quickly stripped naked. Jay sat on my face as I opened him up with my tongue and fingers. Using spit would sting, but by the way Jay was crying out for more while humping my mouth, I doubted he cared. We were both frantic to be connected and didn't stop until I was inside of him.

Neither of us lasted. It had been too long since the last time we'd seen each other in person, and his tempting heat was too hard to endure. I came inside of him, chanting his name like it was a spell that could keep him here forever. Jay's pleasure painted our stomachs as he kissed me until our breaths calmed.

"Hi," he said with a laugh when we finally settled down.

I chuckled into his shoulder, holding him close as I softened while still inside of him. I didn't want to let him go.

"We made it to the playoffs." I finally told him what I'd wanted to share since I'd got off the field .

He smiled and ran his hand through my hair. "I saw. You were fantastic out there."

I basked in his praises, feeling happier and more accomplished now than having all those fans cheering for me after the win. It was different with Jay. It always has been.

"We might have to postpone the road trip," I said a while later, feeling more somber. We'd planned on taking the trip in a few weeks to explore the West Coast before visiting Sam, his sister, and the newborn baby.

Jay gave me a knowing smile. He had tried to push back the trip, stating that our team might even go all the way to the Super Bowl. I had my doubts of even making the playoffs since we'd never made it before, but I should have known better than to doubt Jay's trust in me. He believed in me more than I did myself.

"I'm in no rush," Jay said as he continued lazily playing with my hair. "We have the rest of our lives."

I smiled and kissed him.

Whether we could gain the Super Bowl ring was one thing, but I was sure to have another type of ring for him before the year was out. Jay was right yet again.

I wanted to have all my crazy adventures together with him for the rest of our lives.