Epilogue

EPILOGUE

LUCAS

Two Years Later

Superbowl Sunday

I crept down the hallway, doing my best to keep from waking Cooper, but it was useless. He was sitting up in bed, grinning. "Go back to sleep," I hissed. "I'm trying to surprise you, damn it!"

He laughed quietly—my sister and nephew were just down the hall in the guest room, his parents in the other. Heloise, Greggy, and Sonny would be by in a few hours. Later, we'd have a house full of loud football players, their partners, kids, some friends from work, ... Pretty much an entire small town by headcount. But for now, it was just us and our sleepy loved ones in the predawn hours. "I can't sleep when you're sneaking around like the world's noisiest cat burglar."

Desmond huffed an annoyed sound from the end of the bed. He'd taken to sleeping with Cooper every night Cooper was home. "Sorry," Cooper corrected, sounding not at all contrite. "No offense to cats."

I shut the door quietly behind me, pushing it with my foot. I balanced a tray with coffee, tea, way too many pancakes, that gross turkey bacon Cooper liked, and a huge bowl of fruit. "Shove over then. I don't need to be all sweet and wake you with gentle kisses and shit if you're already up."

"I don't know—I could do with some gentle kisses."

I raised my brow, setting the tray on his lap. Carefully, I crawled over his shins to perch on my side of the bed with its stack of pillows and overflowing nightstand. He eyed me expectantly, tapping the corner of his lips when I just stared back. "Oh, I suppose," I grumbled, barely able to keep from smiling. When I leaned in to give him a peck, he grabbed me around the middle. He managed not to dump the tray over as he dragged me in for a deeper, longer kiss than I'd planned on.

Not that I minded.

"Breakfast," he muttered against my lips when I tried to squirm even closer.

"Not hungry."

He grinned, giving my lower lip a sharp nip. "Liar. You're a bottomless pit." With another smacking kiss, he set me back on my side of the bed. Three years in and his casual displays of strength still made my stomach flutter and heart skip. "Oooooh, kiwi! Thanks!"

I slid down lower in the bed, stretching my legs to bump Desmond. "Feeling better?"

He nodded. "Everything hurts, and I want to die a little, but not nearly as bad as last weekend. I have an appointment with the doc on Monday." He popped a piece of bacon in his mouth.

I snagged one of the berries from the fruit bowl, turning on my side to watch him eat. "Are you happy?"

He coughed on his kiwi, waving me off when I tried to smack him on the back. After a few moments, he set the tray aside on his nightstand and turned to face me more fully with a concerned, confused expression. "Are you?"

"Very," I promised, scooting closer. "I know we've been really just swamped this year between my work and yours, and your injuries this season and—" I trailed off, leaning into his hand as he stroked my hair back from my face. "I just wanted to make sure, I suppose."

"What did I tell you?" he murmured, leaning in close. When he brushed his lips against mine again, he tasted of kiwi and coffee and sugar, barely a kiss but definitely a promise. "What do I always tell you?"

"Get my feet off the coffee table?" I teased.

"Exactly. Lucas, get your feet off the coffee table."

"I love you too."

Themorning spiraled quickly into chaos. Once we'd finished breakfast, it was like a signal went up to everyone in the vicinity. My nephew tested his lung power, which led to Cooper's parents cooing and fussing over him with significant glances and mentions of how wonderful babies are and I sure wish we had a baby to hold all the time now that Greggy was getting too big for them to carry around easily.

They didn't appreciate my suggestion to start a babysitting business.

It wasn't long before the house filled, family members arriving first, then a flood of players, friends, and loved ones. After a while, we just left the front door open to stop the constant ringing of the bell. The music I'd picked out was absolutely smothered under the rumble of voices and shrieks of children who'd discovered the box of water toys set up on the back patio. Mom and Aunt Lynda played lifeguards while some of the older kids swam in the heated pool. A few of the newer players perched, wide-eyed and a little stiff, on Cooper's prized leather sofa while everyone else made themselves at home. Cooper disappeared into the sea of huge men clustered in the media room. The crowd reminded me of those nature documentaries where the big cats are all devouring some poor beastie—except in this case, the beastie was a massive charcuterie platter Marisol, Tori, and I made and the jugs of sangria Liz and Jenny provided.

"Talk to Dani yet?" Marisol asked, catching up with me in the kitchen. "She was looking for you earlier."

"That can't be good," I groaned, sinking down against the counter. We'd found a surprisingly quiet spot, tucked into the corner near the fridge and pantry. Everyone was distracted with pre-game shows and roughhousing, up to their eyeballs in snacks and drinks. "What did I do now?"

Marisol smiled mysteriously, doing her best to conceal it behind her glass of sweet tea.

"Marisol. What are you hiding?"

"Not a thing," she sing-songed as Tori sauntered over.

"Did you tell him Dani was looking for him?"

"Oh my god," I groaned. "Does everyone know but me?"

Tori snickered. "If it helps, I don't think the kid does." She patted her gently rounded belly. "Though Dani is pretty loud, so maybe?"

"Baby Lucas," I said sternly, bending to talk level with her bump, "you don't let your mother and aunties gang up on me. You got my back, right?"

"He's a fetus, sooooo," Marisol drawled, saluting me with her tea. "You're on your own, dude."

"And," Tori smiled, bouncing on her heels, "it's not a he. Well. They're not a he. Kind of." She squealed, clapping her hands. "We're having twins! Scans showed a boy and a girl!"

"Oh my god!" Marisol and I both rushed Tori only to pull up short. "Oh my god," I repeated. "I want to squish you so bad, but I don't want to hurt the babies!"

"It's okay," Tori laughed, tears sparkling. "I've got 'em."

Cooper found us huddled in the kitchen in a sort of bouncy group hug a few minutes later. "Y'all good?" Smiling faintly, he reached for another of the prepared platters to set out. "These are awesome by the way."

"Tori's having twins!"

"Having them do what?" He winked at me, clearly teasing.

"She's pregnant, you dork," I laughed.

"Oh, wow! Congrats! Hey, Billy," he shouted, heading back into the media room, "congrats on the twofer!"

Tori snorted into my shoulder. "Oh my god."

Closer to game time, little divisions appeared. Most of the cheer squad, present and former, ended up on the back patio overlooking the pool and garden. The players crowded into the media room or kitchen, partners and kids drifting between the three spots as they herded kids or just wanted to get away from the noise for a bit.

Beside me, Renata stretched her legs, closing her eyes against the surprisingly bright glare of the sun. "It was so nice earlier," she sighed. "Why's it gotta be so bright out?"

"Because Texas," I deadpanned. "Where's Bas?"

"Playing with some of the other kids." She opened one eye to check. "Yeah, over there. Taking after his uncle Lucas."

Bas tried to lead the kids in a cheer, but they succeeded only in tumbling over each other and cackling. Which, to be fair, happened a lot in regular cheer practice too. "He's been great at the studio," I murmured. "Really into the lessons."

"Because Bas wants to be just like his Tio."

Renata's smile became sly and curly as she leaned a bit closer. "You talk to Dani yet?"

"Ugh! Why does everyone know what's going on but me?"

"Because we're smarter than you?"

"Fuck you."

She snorted. "There's my little brother. More importantly," she scooted her whole chair close now and lowered her voice to barely a whisper, even though the nearest person was a good twenty feet away. "Did you talk to Coop?"

"Not yet. I thought today would be the day, but I don't know. There's so many people here, and even after the game's over, he'll be all keyed up."

"Dude. You can't just keep pretending."

"Pretending what?"

"Dani!" I nearly fell out of my chair, whipping around to face the squad's coach.

"The one and only," she said, giving me a wink. "Hey, Renata. How's the kid?"

"Loud and adorable." Renata pulled a strand of hair up so we could see it. "I named this gray one after him."

"Sounds about right," Dani laughed. "All of my grays are either from my wife's love of motorcycles, or the older two kids. Thankfully, the youngest one seems to have missed out on the give Mom ulcers gene."

"So apparently, you've been looking for me?" I put in, steering them away from parenting chat. "I don't think you can technically fire me again."

Renata snorted into her tea, and Dani rolled her eyes. "I just loved it so much the first time I thought I'd give it another go."

I hummed, suspicious, and took another sip of my drink. "Why is everyone acting so cagey?" A horrible idea crossed my mind. I sat up, stomach sinking, and sat my drink on the small table between us. "This isn't about a reality show, is it? Like some Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders thing except about the Troopers Cheer Squad and oh my god, you're not asking me to consult, are you? I mean, I'll do it, but I'll need to talk to the board at work first and Coop and?—"

"Out of curiosity," Dani interrupted, tone mild, "how much have you had to drink today?"

"And that is my cue to go check on the kids," Renata announced, getting to her feet. "Lucas, keep your ears open, huh? Remember?"

I waved off my sister, shooting Dani an anxious, worried glance. My stomach sloshed with nerves, every sip of tea and lemonade I'd had since nine a.m. making me regret them. "Do we need to use Coop's office? It's nearby and is pretty quiet."

She shook her head, smiling gently now. "Lucas, you were the cornerstone of the squad for years longer than most cheerleaders hang around. And since you… left… you've been one of the squad's biggest supporters and most vocal advocates for their rights and the rules governing what they're expected to do. Between your passion for the squad, your work with Queering Sports, and your teaching, I can honestly say you're one of the most dynamic and dedicated people I've ever met."

"You sound like you're saying goodbye." I chuckled nervously. "Are you being fired?"

"Tell me something." She nudged me to walk with her as some of the partners stepped out onto the patio, and a spill of loud voices and a blasting pre-game show followed. We stepped off the patio and onto the narrow rock path leading past the pool and to a small flower bed around a massive oak tree. A year or so ago, I'd convinced Cooper to put a bench out there and a bird feeder. He'd called it my old man seat since I loved to go out and sip tea and watch the birds come and go every morning, but I'd caught him out there more than a few times, so he had no room to talk. Dani and I headed over there now, dodging a tumbling kid who declared themself to be Captain America, chased by my nephew demanding the shield back. "How're your knees?"

"Huh?" I stopped. "Is this… what?"

"I'm gonna be retiring in a year or so," she said quietly, glancing around to make sure no one was close enough to overhear. "Not right now, but soon. And I'm starting to pull back, shift more of my duties to the assistants. Things are changing in our world, Lucas. Not for the Troopers squad but across all of pro cheer. We need people who can keep up, who want what's best for the squads, not following the old playbooks. We need people who will kick off the dust from the boots, so to speak, open up the sport for more diverse members. Make it less ornamental, you know?"

I nodded slowly. "I… I don't know. God. My head is spinning! Maybe I did have too many sangrias…"

"Listen. I'm not retiring tomorrow. I'm looking at next year. Maybe the one after if I have to hang around and make sure you're doing alright." She bumped my shoulder with hers, smiling softly. "I'm asking, very poorly, if you'd consider training to become a coach and applying for my position once I announce my retirement officially."

I tried to find words, but the best I could do was gawp like a fish for a minute before squeaking out, " Are you sure?"

Dani laughed loudly this time. "Come by my office on Tuesday, huh? We'll talk. See if we can find a way to fit this in with your work at Queering Sports."

I nodded slowly. "Everyone else knew before me," I blurted. "Why?"

"Element of surprise?" she suggested. When I made a face at that, she snorted softly and looped her arm through mine. "I wanted to get a feel for things. I'd heard you talking to Tori about how you felt your career was winding down, and it got me thinking. I talked to the other squad members and got in touch with some of the former ones?—"

"Marisol and Liz."

"And Tori, Julia, Hannah, Norah, Jess, Jess, and Jess..." She paused. "Well, you get the idea. They all said the same thing. That you'd be an amazing coach, and that management would be hurting themselves not to hire you."

"Huh." I stared across the lawn. So many people were milling around, laughing, shouting, holding on to one another, being there... And I wouldn't be part of it if not for the team.

If not for Cooper.

I nodded slowly. "I think... Yeah. Let's talk. I'll, um. I'll bring my five-year plan for the nonprofit, and we can see how things mesh in terms of training and?—"

"Slow down," she urged kindly. "One step at a time. Right now, I'm feeling like I need too much queso and beer, and you need to find your fella before the game starts. Otherwise, you're not seeing him for hours."

"Nah, he'll come find me at halftime," I smiled, standing to join her as she headed back across the yard.

Me. A Coach. Huh...

Tori and Marisol were on the porch when we got there, Marisol sipping sangria and Tori clutching a water bottle as if her life depended on it. Marisol shot me a thumbs up and raised her brows. I just nodded. They squealed again, and I could only laugh.

"Hey! Game's starting in five," someone—I think it was Rye—shouted from inside. "Let's go Dallas!"

"Blasphemy!" That was definitely Cooper.

Dani shook her head. "Queso, beer, and the back patio."

"At least until halftime," I agreed, unable to hide my smile.

The aftermath of the game was... a lot. Dallas squeaked ahead and won in the last quarter by a hair's breadth, beating Jacksonville in a dramatic win. The crowd in our media room shouted so loud I was pretty sure the neighbors would file a noise complaint.

Or they would've if they hadn't been lodged up in there, too, shouting right along with the guys from the Troopers. Eventually, people drifted off. A few friends stayed to help clean up after I shooed my sister and nephew off to bed and Cooper's folks turned in for the night, unable to keep their eyes open much longer once the game was over and the adrenaline faded.

"Jesus," I muttered, staring at the recycling bins and piles of clear bags set aside for the recycling company to pick them up the next morning. "I don't even want to look at the actual trash."

"It's grim," Cooper sighed, leaning against the garage wall. "Shit. I thought playing in the All Stars was exhausting. I was practically skipping home after the game. This party knocked me on my ass."

"Well," I drawled, turning to press against him, looping my arms around his neck, "that's probably because you've been on a high since last week. All those interviews, filming the promotional stuff for Nike and all that jazz. And today you had the party and those phone-in spots to talk about the bowl and..." I sighed. "You've been running on all cylinders this past week. You're gonna crash."

"Don't wanna," he pouted comically, lifting me off my feet when I laughed. "I want to take my boyfriend to bed and do very athletic and sweaty things for the next few hours."

"Hmmm. I love that," I admitted. "But our family is sleeping on either side of us, remember?"

"Boo."

I was glad we were in the garage—my laugh was so loud surely it would've woken Bas otherwise. "Let's go to bed."

"Did Dani ever track you down?" he asked with a yawn. "I heard she was looking for you."

"Ah, yeah. Yeah, she did."

"And?" He tugged me to a stop at the foot of the stairs, raising his brows expectantly.

"You already know, don't you?" I accused. "Who told you?"

"Tori," he shrugged. "Well, her husband. She told Billy, and Billy can't keep a secret to save his life." He scooped me up, holding me under my butt when I wrapped my legs around his waist. "Tell me about it?"

So I told him, while he carried me to our room. With a soft grunt, he tossed me onto the mattress. We tussled for a few minutes, debating a shower or just going to sleep. I thought of the ring I'd been carrying in my pocket all day. My plans to propose during the party in front of our friends and family were scrapped before the party even began, but the ring was still there. Still beckoning. I wanted something for us and not part of the game, part of the team or the nonprofit or anything but him and me after so much of our lives were tied into such a public line of work. His face in ads, on television screens, in magazines. Mine... less so, I smiled to myself. But I was there, along for the ride. I had students, I performed.

But things with Cooper? That was for us and us alone.

Beside me, Cooper snored softly. I fished the ring out of my pocket and, oh so slowly, slid it onto his left ring finger. Cooper snorted, shifted, looping his arm around my waist to pull me against his chest. His newly ringed hand rested over my chest, but he didn't wake. I stared at the glint of silver on his finger, watching it in the dim moonlight as sleep slowly crept over me. My eyes were too heavy to stare for long. I melted against his chest, his breath tickling my neck, the weight of his arm comforting.

"Night, baby," I whispered, sinking.

"Night," he muttered. "And the answer is yes."