43. Chapter 43

Today is what dreams are made of. I've been dreaming of this day since I was seven years old. That year, my dad was on assignment for ESPN, and he surprised Damien and me—Xav was too young—with tickets to go with him to the National Championship where Loganville and Colorado played. The game was in Dallas, and we had seats in a box. Damien and I had no connection to either team, it was just so cool to be there. Mom didn't go on that trip, instead, a friend of my dad's went with us. She looked out for us while he worked.

When the final seconds on the clock ticked by and confetti filled the air when the buzzer went off, I knew I wanted to be a part of that moment. I wanted to be in the middle of the field with confetti raining down on me, my team's band playing, and holding the National Championship trophy.

And thirteen years later, here I am. Standing in the middle of an NFL stadium getting ready to play in the National Championship. Dreams really do come true when you pour everything you have into achieving them.

Coach has had us up and moving since eight o'clock. He didn't want us lounging around all day and getting tired. The team met in the hotel dining hall for a private breakfast. I wasn't sure if I was going to be able to eat, but thanks to last night's endless rounds of sex, I worked up quite the appetite. Thank God Brynn was on board to let me use her body to work off all my stress.

We fucked until she finally told me that her pussy needed a break. I could ravish that tight body for days on end, but I agreed with her. I didn't want her to be sore for today, and it was getting close to lights out. Coach agreed to let me stay with Brynn, but he threatened me with bed checks. My girl likes to sleep naked, and I didn't want to give Coach a reason to come into our room and embarrass him or Brynn.

After breakfast, we rode on buses over to the stadium for a light workout and team meetings to go over any last notes on our game plan. Before we left, Coach had everyone come out and take in the field.

Standing at the fifty-yard line, I take in the field. The stands are empty right now, but it won't be long before sixty thousand people make their way to their seats. Somewhere, a little boy is going to be witnessing a National Championship game tonight and a dream will be planted inside him.

"Feels pretty fucking crazy, doesn't it, man?" Grant asks, flinging his arm around my shoulders.

"I can't believe we're here," I answered.

"Well believe it," Coach Campbell interjects. "Believe it, men," he shouts for the rest of the team to hear it. "Stand here, soak it in for as long as you need for it to sink in. You're here because you've worked your asses off to get here. You've conditioned yourself for this. You've listened to me ride you for months now. And I know you thought I was being a dick, but I cared. I saw that this team, this team right here deserves to be in the National Championship. It's been a helluva season, but we've got one more in us."

"Hell yeah, we do!" I shout back to Coach.

"Now do whatever you need to do. Be dressed and ready on the first-floor conference room. I recommend taking the stairs, there are a lot of us, and the Eagles mob will be waiting at the elevators. We'll gather there, walk through the lobby together, and board the buses."

And with that, Coach Campbell walks toward the exit.

It's not long before the rest of us are making our way back onto the buses.

Brynn is in our room when I get back. She's curled under the covers with her eyes closed. Glancing at the clock, I see it's just after one in the afternoon. Pulling my phone out of my pocket, I set my alarm for an hour before swiping the "sleep" mode. Placing my phone on the nightstand, I toe off my tennis shoes, rip off my shirt, and slide my pants down. In only my boxers, I crawl under the covers bringing Brynn into my body. She startles at first, but then she relaxes into me.

For the next hour, I get some rest. Dreams fill my head, but they're dreams of celebrating our win tonight with my girl in my arms.

The alarm on my phone goes off. Leaning over, I switch it off. Rolling onto my back, I bring my arms above my head and stretch them out. Brynn wakes up too, sleepy eyes finding mine.

"I'm proud of you," she says, her head propped on my chest.

Lowering my arms, I wrap them around her. "Thanks, baby. Couldn't have done it without you by my side."

"Don't," she scoffs.

"I'm serious. You've been my biggest believer, my biggest supporter. You've let me unleash stress onto you when you didn't deserve it, but most importantly, you've always been there for me. When I need to talk or when I need to have some fun to unwind, you've always been in my corner."

She beams up at me. "I love you."

"I love you too. Now go hit the shower, and I'll lay your clothes out," she says, pushing off me, but not before she gives me a quick kiss.

Stepping out of the bathroom, steam escapes with me, but what I find waiting for me takes my breath away. Brynn is standing in the tiny living area with a tray of food in front of her. She's laid out my freshly steamed burgundy suit with the tapered suit pants, a white button down, and a burgundy and white checkered tie. On the floor by the bed are my black dress shoes and on top of the clothes are my black aviators and headphones. As much as I appreciate her getting my outfit together and ordering me food, it's Brynn that has my full attention.

"Is this outfit okay?" she asks.

I just nod my head as I take her in. I feel myself start to grow hard as I take in my girl wearing my jersey. Brynn is standing in front of me wearing my white CTU jersey, the one with BOYD across her back in big block letters. Her long, tan legs on display look even leaner in her favorite white Lucessees. Somehow while I was in the shower, she had time to curl her hair in the long beach waves that she always wears. It's the red lipstick that has me wanting to push her down on her knees and take me in her mouth, painting me with that red.

"Sexy as hell," is my response. "Wait ‘til you see what's underneath," she says with a smirk, dropping into her chair and slowly spreading her legs, just wide enough to be a tease, before she crosses one leg over the other.

I drop my towel to the ground, she eyes my erection. Two can play this game, baby. Striding over to the bed, I pick up a pair of tight boxer briefs and slowly—very slowly—slide them up my legs, tucking my boner in the waistband. Once my boxers are on and my situation is secured, I take a few steps and sit down behind the tray of food. Both of us eat in silence, my mind focusing back on the game.

When I'm finished eating, I stand up, walk over and give her a kiss on the cheek before slipping on the rest of my clothes.

At five till five, both of us gather up our things—I grab my phone and headphones and Brynn slips on her oversized denim jacket and her clear purse. Stepping aside, I usher her in front of me as we head out of the room. Once she gets in front of me, I notice that the denim jacket is one she had customized. The light denim-washed jacket has a picture of an eagle with its wings spread across the back, it's artistic and cool as fuck, but my name and number are also stretched across her back.

"Cute jacket." I hear from behind us. Brynn doesn't stop walking, just turns her head over her shoulder, giving a smirk and a wink to whoever was talking to her.

"Looks like someone is ready to become Mrs. Boyd," Grant whispers in my ear, stepping in line beside me as we head down the stairs.

I just flash him a wink and his mouth drops.

The crowd is huge. There are so many people lined up just waiting around to cheer us on as we make our way to the bus. Walking by people, I stick my hand out and high five whoever is lucky enough to be within my reach. A high-pitched voice captures my attention. "Quinton! Quinton!" I search the crowd. A small boy with blonde hair and a CTU Eagles jersey is staring up at me.

"Tanner, my man!" I shout, pausing beside the crowd.

"Kick some ass!" Tanner screams, putting his fist up for a bump. His mom is standing next to him, shaking her head at Tanner's use of the curse word.

"Tell your girlfriend thank you for everything," Kari says. Confused at why she would be thanking Brynn, I just nod my head.

"I've gotta catch the bus," I say, pointing at the team that's waiting outside.

"Good luck!" they both shout. I smile down at them, nodding my head as I turn and quickly make my way to the bus.

Piling onto the bus, Coach silences us once we are all seated.

It's game time. It's time to focus.

Multicolored confetti rains down from the ceiling, players are dropping to their knees, and I just stand there in shock. I… I can't believe it. I can't believe it's all over. Everything I've worked for since I was seven years old just ended. The long days of pushing my body to its absolute limit, feeling like my body is going to give out if I do one more rep. The mental game of not measuring up. The parties I missed out on because I was hitting the books, working hard to be more than just a jock.

But it was all worth it because I'm a National fucking Champion!

"We fucking did it!" Grant screams, jumping on me, breaking me out of my shock. My arms fly in the air, and I scream until my lungs feel like bursting. "We fucking did it!"

Our entire team is on the field celebrating. Fans are jumping over the railings and rushing from the stands. My head is spinning, looking all over the place for the blondie in my jersey. Before I can find her, she finds me. Leaping into my arms, I catch her with ease.

"You fucking did it, baby! You fucking did it!" Brynn screams into my ear as her arms wrap around me, hands tangle around my neck.

I squeeze her middle, lowering my hand to make sure her jersey hasn't ridden up to expose whatever it is underneath. But knowing Brynn, it's something lacy and tiny. She pulls back just enough to give me a kiss on the lips before she's wiggling in my arms.

I bring her down to her feet before I'm wrapping my arms around her shoulders and pulling her in for another hug. That's when I notice the camera crew approaching us.

"Quinton Boyd, how does it feel to be a National Champion?" the news anchor asks as Brynn steps away from the camera.

"It feels fu—freaking amazing!" I correct my answer quickly. "It's like a dream come true. The whole team has worked so hard this season, our whole goal being the National Title."

"And how are you feeling after that nasty hit in the Lafayette game?"

"I don't even remember it," I joke. "But seriously, I feel great. This win feels great. I'm just, wow, I'm just kinda in shock that we're here."

"National Champions, baby!" JP screams beside me.

"Have fun celebrating." The news anchor walks away.

And celebrate, we do. Tomorrow we are flying home with the National Championship trophy.