45. Chapter 45

"And with the third pick of the 2023 NFL draft, the Colorado Colts select Quinton Boyd, running back, Central Texas," the NFL Commissioner announces.

Brynn and I watch on the TV from the waiting room inside Union Station as my name is called. Tears spring into my eyes, and I grasp for Brynn immediately. She turns, hugging me and bringing her hand to my face and a grin spreads from ear to ear. Bending down, I give her a quick kiss before I'm ushered down a hall toward the stage.

Brynn's the only one here for me, aside from Eliza, on this big day, and I wouldn't have it any other day. She's the only one who has supported me my entire college career. She's encouraged me to do what I felt. On my darkest days, she has been the light at the end of the tunnel. It was her cheering me on, encouraging me and motivating me that helped land me here. Do I wish my parents were here? Of course. But for the past year, they've done nothing but push their agenda on me. At the end of the day, they wanted what would look best for them, not what was best for me. The only one I wanted here was Brynn.

The camera stays on me my entire journey. I keep my head down, but I can't get the grin off my face. I did it. Me. Not anyone else. I secured a first-round draft pick, and it was in the top five. Hell, it was number three when I was expecting a number five pick. Elated doesn't even begin to describe how happy I feel.

I'm almost to the end of the hall when someone on personnel hands me a flat bill Colorado Colts hat. Looking in the mirror, I quickly place the black hat with a blue bill on my head and tug it on so it fits snugly.

And then I'm walking out on stage. Holy shit! My arms stretch out to my side. A little celebratory sound comes out of my mouth. I begin waving my arms up and down, bouncing on my feet as I make my way over to the Commissioner. We give each other a high five, he pulls me into a hug, slapping my back. He congratulates me before handing me my jersey. In my hands is a black Colorado Colts jersey with silver letters and BOYD printed across the back. We stand together as the cameras flash over and over. With one last handshake and congratulations from him, I move to walk off the stage.

I step down into the hall again and am immediately directed toward the left instead of straight. It's a media frenzy down here. Cameras are set up all over the room with an NFL Draft 2023 backdrop. Scanning the room, I find Eliza and Brynn waiting at a high-top table. Brynn has a glass of champagne in her hand and a megawatt smile stretched over her face. She looks stunning tonight. She always does. But tonight, she has on a gold thin strapped, deep V-neck formal gown. The gold in the dress brings out her golden skin and ocean-blue eyes. And the sequins that are sewn into her bodice make her shine.

Gold dresses are her color. My mind goes back to our trip to Chicago and the gold minidress she wore. It was the night everything changed between us. I took a dare and made a move on my girl. Six months later, my heart is overflowing with love for her.

Stopping in front of the backdrop, I smile for the cameras, holding up my jersey. Erica Adams, an ESPN reporter, steps up next to me.

"Congratulations, Quinton. You are the newest member of the Colorado Colts. How does it feel to be heading to Colorado?"

"Erica, I couldn"t be more excited. It feels amazing to even be drafted, let alone in the top three. I've never been to Colorado, but it sounds a lot like home."

"Colorado is coming off a tough season. Does that impact you at all?"

"C'mon now, Erica." I chuckle. "Nah, I'm fired up. I'm so happy to be a Colt. I'm looking forward to getting out there, getting settled, and winning some football."

"Alright, Quinton." Erica chuckles too. "You're looking well-dressed tonight. I see you're sporting some new ice. Tell us about it." Erica points out my chains and the diamond studs in my ears.

"The chains came from my grams. She dropped them off before we flew out here," I say, referencing the gold chain with the diamond-encrusted cross necklace. "And my wife surprised me with the studs this morning."

"I'm sorry, did you just say wife?" Erica asks, mouth dropping open. A smile takes over my face.

As I tip my head in the direction of Eliza and Brynn, the cameras spin to her. Brynn lifts her champagne flute in a salute, flashing her engagement ring—a six carat oval cut diamond surrounded by a row of smaller diamond accent stones. Below that rests her wedding band, a diamond eternity band. The rings shine beautifully on her dainty fingers.

Erica turns her head back to me. "Well, I guess congratulations all around. Good luck in Colorado, Quinton."

With a final goodbye to Erica, I step around the cameras and stride over to my wife. Leaning down, I give her a hard kiss that has her clenching her thighs. Eliza clears her throat. Without removing my lips from Brynn's, I slide my gaze up to meet Eliza. She just shakes her head, a tiny smirk on her lips.

"Congratulations, Quinton," she says. Standing back up, I reach my hand out to Eliza.

She smacks it away and throws her arms around me. Squeezing me tight, she whispers in my ear. "Thank you. Thank you for taking a chance on me."

"I had no doubt you'd get me here," I whisper back as we both pull away. "Thank you for everything. I wouldn't be an NFL player or have a wife if it wasn't for you."

She leans down and gives my blushing bride a hug. I hear her wish Brynn congratulations. Stepping back from the embrace. Eliza's eyes bounce between the two of us. "Now that the big surprise has been dropped, have fun celebrating you two. Be smart and be safe."

I hold my hand out and my wife takes it, the two of us head out of the room. There are Draft parties happening all over the city tonight and I'm ready to show off my new bride.

This weekend my dreams came true. The NFL wants me. And my best friend became my wife. Here's to all of the unknowns. No matter where life takes us, we'll always be together as husband and wife.

She was the late hit I didn't see coming.