The crowd was on their feet, and I looked up at the Kings’ box, knowing, even without being able to see, that everyone was screaming their hearts out for us.
This one’s for you, Fal.
The play went off beautifully, and I ran toward midfield as the clock ran out. I held the ball up high, screaming my lungs out while the team mobbed me.
“We did it. We did it.” Rio jumped me, and we all hugged Coach, then dumped the obligatory barrel of energy drink over him.
After getting rid of our pads and equipment and congratulating the opposing team, Super Bowl Champion merchandise was flung into my hands, and I pulled on the T-shirt and stuck the ball cap on my head. I searched the crowd for my parents and Fallon. Random people came up to congratulate me and take pictures.
I spotted Dev and Brody, each with their own team of cameramen. Brody reached me first.
“Dude, you did it. How does it feel to win your first Super Bowl?”
“Awesome, amazing. I’m still shaking.”
“You had a great night. Three touchdowns, and you passed for over two hundred yards. What do you think was the key to your win?”
“Just the whole team. We were hungry for it, and we decided nothing was gonna stop us.”
Brody congratulated me, and Dev stepped up and hugged me.
“Trick, that was a masterplan of playing. Except for that one sack, you did everything right.”
“Well, nothing is ever perfect, and the Lonestars have a great defense, but we had a mission to keep that Lombardi Trophy in New York for the fans. Go Kings!” I pumped my fist.
“Was there a turning point in the game when you said to yourself, ‘It’s now or never’?”
“Definitely the sack. This was what I’ve waited all my life for, so I had to go out and show the world how much I wanted this. And I did.”
“You sure did. Great game.”
“Thanks, Dev.”
Finally, I spotted my parents and Fallon, surrounded by security, making their way across the field. Behind them were Armand Winters and Hayden. I rushed to my parents.
“Mommy, I did it.” It was the same thing I’d said to her during my first game. I was ten years old and had thrown my first touchdown pass. She hugged me.
“You sure did, sweetheart. I love you, and I’m so proud of you.”
“Dad.” I was almost too choked up to speak, but he understood and put his arms around me.
“You deserve this. I’m so proud of you.”
Fallon hung back, understanding the protocol.
“Armi, Hayden,” I greeted them, and they shook my hand.
“Great win, Patrick,” Armi congratulated me. “The Kings are on top once again. Super Bowl champs.”
“Thanks, Armi. It’s been a great year, and I love being part of the Kingdom.”
I faced Fallon. “Hey.”
“Hey yourself, champ.” He hugged me tight.
“I was thinking of you, feeling your energy during the game,” I murmured against his hair.
“I’m glad because I was sending everything I had to you.”
