EPILOGUE TRISTAN

Three Months Later

Jack Dalton throws the ball as I lunge to get open. I know where to go, but I can already tell this guy’s mission is to stay right on my ass all day.

I’m faster than him, though. The ball falls right into my hands, and I take off running like the fucking wind.

My hamstring feels good today as we face the Seahawks. I score the first points of the game as I cross into the end zone, and I fist bump the camera to say hi to my son just like I promised. Logan is doing amazingly well, and he’s even been cleared to attend school in-person. He’s excelling in science, and I can’t wait to see what the future holds for him.

I point up at the sky next, just like I promised Tessa I would since she’s my whole world. I find her in the stands, and I hold my hand to my heart next as I grin. That’s for Fallon, who holds my heart in her sweet little hands.

It’s the same every time I score. Fist bump, point at the sky, search for my girls and cover my heart. And then I wave, too. That’s for my mom and dad.

I run to the sidelines, where my teammates slap my ass or knock into my helmet. Coach Jeff shows me how I could’ve run a slightly different route to get open more easily, but I’m only half-listening as I celebrate the points I just put up.

I sit on the bench and some kid hands me a cup. I drain it as Travis sits on the bench beside me, both of us breathing heavily after the run we just made.

“Nice play, man. Did Jeff already tell you how you could’ve run to the left instead?”

I laugh. “Of course he did.”

Coach wanted to experiment with something new this season—something that worked well in the first few games of the season. Because Jack Dalton has a perfect arm and his preference is to throw the ball, we’re switching back and forth between a three and four wide receiver set offense. It exhausts the opposing defense since they’re always chasing after us, giving us the chance at more points. And that means more playing time for Travis this season since he’s one of our top receivers.

Our offense is incredible, and our defense is working hard.

I feel it already. It feels like we’re heading toward the big game.

I feel so… free this season.

Last year, I was weighed down by being with the wrong woman. I was hurting after I saw Tessa with another man at her father’s funeral.

But this year, everything has fallen into place.

We’re moving into our new house tomorrow. We’ll finally be in our own space to live as a family. As much as I’ve loved living with Luke and Ellie, I’m ready.

I’m ready to fuck my wife in our huge new bedroom without worrying that someone down the hall can hear us.

I’m ready to walk naked through my kitchen whenever I damn well please.

I’m ready to take my wife on the kitchen island, or in the pool, or on the staircase.

I still can’t believe everything that happened in the off-season. Between finding Tessa and almost losing her again, getting divorced, attempting to get married, having a baby, meeting my son, donating bone marrow, and actually getting married, I have to admit…I’m grateful to be back in season.

It was one adventure after another, but I thrive on routine.

And I love this routine.

I practice hard Wednesday through Saturday, play on Sunday, and, if we win, I have Monday and Tuesday off. Except for our eight away games this season, I’m home a good amount of time. I get to watch my girl as she grows, and I get to spend time with my new wife. It’s true that in some ways, I’m married to the game, but in other ways, I still get to be a family man. It’s all about balance, and I feel like I’ve finally found it.

I score once more during the game, and after I shower, change, and talk to the press, I walk out into the family area next to the locker rooms. I find Tessa standing there with my parents. My dad is looking great and my mom is holding Fallon. I kiss Tessa first, Fallon second, and my mother third as my dad pats my shoulder.

“Great game, kiddo,” he says.

Travis sidles up beside me, and my mom hands him a bag of puppy chow. I laugh at their little inside joke as he hugs both my parents. In a lot of ways, he’s the brother I never had. I’m glad to see him get more playing time this season, and every week at our wide receivers’ dinner, I tell him he’s next.

And he tells me how whipped I am.

He assures me he’ll never be that way.

I assure him he will…when the right woman comes along.

And then he gets a sad, faraway look in his eyes. I can tell he’s not convinced the right woman will ever come along. He always quickly changes the subject, but I can tell something’s on his mind.

I’ll get it out of him soon enough.

“Don’t worry,” my mom says to me, bumping my shoulder with hers. “I made some for you, too.” She glances over at Tessa. “And I made you your own bag this time so your husband can’t steal it.”

We all get a good laugh, and then they head back to their hotel while we head to Luke’s to pack up the last of our things before the big move tomorrow.

And then moving day is upon us. Fallon coos happily in her carrier while we sign the paperwork, and then we grab our keys and head over to our new home.

We’ve been here practically every day over the last couple months, watching as each final touch was put into place. All the furniture is set to be delivered later today, and my parents will be spending the night in their casita. Janet is coming next week to visit and to check out her new digs.

Somehow every dream I ever had has become my reality.

I have the greatest job in the world playing professional football for the greatest team in the league with best friends who have become family to me. I’m married to the only woman I’ve ever loved, and we share not one but two incredible children. We’re already talking about expanding our family.

With a dog, first.

But eventually, with more children. I want to fill this giant house with chaos and laughter to really complete the dream, and I know it’s just down the road.

We might’ve made a lot of mistakes to get here, but of all the mistakes that added up to where we are right now…this one’s my favorite.

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As a pro football player, I’m known for scoring both on and off the field. But all that changes when a tragic accident leaves me as a single dad to a little girl.

With both our lives flipped upside down, I’m scrambling to balance my career while supporting the needs of a girl who just had her life torn apart. My little black book is replaced with pink unicorns and her peanut allergy means I have to rethink every meal I make. Despite my initial hesitation and uncertainty, I’m determined to do right by her.

Then we meet her reading teacher, Victoria, who’s everything I’m not—responsible, bookish, and patient. Our constant verbal clashes feel like some twisted form of foreplay. Watching how quickly she bonds with my daughter in ways I can’t proves I need her for more than simply helping me navigate this new life.But convincing her I’m not the man I used to be may the biggest challenge yet.

Despite my history, I’m determined not to let my past fumble my future.

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She has no idea who I am. I immediately like that about her. The gorgeous woman who sat down at the blackjack table beside me and asked me to teach her to play doesn’t recognize me as the third baseman who played pro baseball for seven years. I tell her I’m in town for a job offer when the truth is my buddy just asked me to leave my quiet existence in San Diego and unretire so I can lead the new Vegas Heat expansion team to the championship.

She simplifies my career dilemma down to doing what will bring me the most joy, and as I spend the weekend with her, I realize she is bringing me more joy than I’ve experienced in years. Twelve years stand between us, but we agree it doesn’t matter as much as our feelings do. And as she takes me out to the middle of the desert to stare up at the stars, I know this is the place I’m meant to be.

I agree to play. I agree to move to Vegas so I can explore whatever this is with her.

But life is about to throw me a curveball I never saw coming.