“We fucking did it, brother.” He yells into my ear, trying to shout over the noise.
“You fucking did it!”
“We both fucking did it. How much is that going to piss them off?” Xander smirks at me.
“How fucking happy is that gonna make everyone else?” I laugh.
“Damn fucking straight.” He holds up the ball and our guys go wild again.
Both teams pour out onto the field, losing their minds and congratulating and handing out condolences in order. It seems impossible that this is real life, and I glance up at the stands where I know our girls and our family are looking down at us. I wave and press my hand to my heart, hoping they see and I’m anxious to get through all the post-game bureaucracy, so we can spend time celebrating with friends, family, and fans after the game. Get back to the locker room, so we have a moment together as a team, as a family, to reflect on what we’ve done.
But bile surges in my throat when I see my father finishing his conversation with my coach, and his eyes turn on me. I was hoping he’d just ignore me, but apparently, the man can’t let an opportunity to grandstand in front of the cameras go.
He grabs my hand and pulls me close, throwing one arm around me like a half-hug before he leans in covering his mouth to speak.
“Well for once in your life, you did something right.”
I have a million things I want to say in return. Things I would have said—would have shouted—in the past. But none of it’s worth wasting on him. Not on this night or any other. Not when I have my siblings and my own family, the one that started on this team and keeps growing.
The best revenge on him is the silence anyway—not giving him the reaction he wants and just basking in the glow of his defeat.
So instead, I just smile at him, grinning wide, and then I walk away. Feeling like I can breathe again the second he’s out of my immediate presence. Colt tackles me a second later as he spins off to his side after answering some reporter questions.
“You fucking won it for us, every bit as much as Xander did. You know that right?”
“We did. How does it feel to be 26 years old with a championship ring?”
“Like I see a lot more in our future.” He grins.
* * *
After we finish makingthe rounds in the stadium, we all meet back in the locker room. Our coach gives a speech about how far we’ve all come this year and how much more we can do as a team if we keep up this spirit. He thanks us all for everything we’ve done, giving mini speeches for all the different players who contributed on the field tonight, and then turns to me.
“And Tobias. You had a rough fucking year, my guy, but you fucking pulled it out and showed up for us when we needed you most. We couldn’t have done this without you, and you deserve every single moment of recognition you’re going to get in the coming days. Don’t let anyone let you fucking forget that or diminish that for you.”
Several of the guys holler out their support, and it takes me a moment, my chest tight and my eyes heavy with the weight of would-be tears as I nod my thanks for his words.
“Now, go out there and fucking party tonight in this city. Just make sure it’s the good kind of trouble. You hear me?” Our coach smiles at us and then we break to go our own ways.
* * *
East,Wren, Madison, and Scarlett are all waiting for me and pile into a massive hug around me the second they see me. It’s hard not to feel like crying again, seeing them all in their Phantom gear, looking at me like I’m a rockstar.
“So fucking proud of you, bro.” East nods at me.
“Yes. Hard to believe you were coming off an injury.” Wren gives me a soft smile.
“You kicked ass.” Madison jumps and wraps her arms around my neck. “So proud of how badass you are. I get to brag about how my brother won the whole fucking thing!”
When they finally give her breathing room, Scarlett takes her turn. She kisses me while East and Madison whistle and cheer, and I pick her up, holding her tight.
“You’re my hero. I hope you know that. Seeing how far you’ve come. My heart feels like it’s gonna burst.” She kisses me again, and I feel like everything has been worth it. Having them—having her tell me these things is better than anything any reporter or fan could possibly say.
* * *
We’ve gottwo huge suites to ourselves at the top of one of the casino hotels—one that was given to Colt and one that was given to me when they found out we were going to be in tonight’s game. The bars have been fully stocked, the rooms have been catered, and there are gift bags lining the table in the front entrance. But more importantly, they’ve proven to be a great place to retreat from the bigger parties happening in other parts of the hotel. Because as much as having the whole world celebrate with us tonight was amazing, for the first time in my life I’d rather have the people close to me more.
The party explodes as soon as we get back to Colt’s place. East and his friends from Highland—Waylon, Liam, and Ben all chat loudly with Colt. Reminiscing about their days in college, their favorite bars, and what their old coaches and program are up to now. Their wives are having an equally good time with our girls, taking photos, and making mixed drinks out of the bar with the bartender’s help. My sister has apparently been inaugurated into the group on Joss and Scarlett’s orders, and between her and Joss they’re contemplating what other appetizers need to be ordered up from room service and whether or not they should go to try a round in the casinos. A raucous debate breaks out before they pass around a bottle of tequila, each taking a shot and then settling on a game of pool in the other room.
