“You’re going to do great tomorrow.” Jess lays her head on my chest. Her fingers trace patterns on my stomach. “Your knee is stronger than it’s ever been.”
“That’s because I had the best physical therapist in the Southeast.”
“The best in the state, actually.” She props herself up on one elbow, grinning down at me. “Maybe the whole region.”
“So modest.”
“I don’t do modest. I do excellence.” She lets out a giggle.
I pull her down for a kiss because I can. Because she’s here, in my bed, in my life, and I still can’t quite believe it.
“I love you,” I say against her lips.
“I know, I feel it.” She kisses me back. “I love you too.”
I pass the physical with flying colors. The doctors are impressed. My knee is stronger than they expected and my mobility is better than projected. Coach Andrews shakes my hand with a grin that makes him look ten years younger.
“Welcome back, Callahan. Training camp starts in two weeks. Don’t be late.”
I’m not late. For the first time in years, I know I’m right on time and exactly where I’m supposed to be.
I throw myself into preparation with everything I have. Jess is there every step of the way. She’s been officially brought on as a consultant for the team. Her expertise in ACL recovery was too valuable to ignore. We carpool to the facility together, steal kisses in the hallways, and act like teenagers even though we’re both old enough to know better. Landon thinks it’s hilarious. He gives me shit about it at least once a day. I don’t care.
Three weeks into the season, I have a ring in my pocket.
The same ring I’ve carried for five years. I bought when I thought forever was possible. Then I couldn’t bring myself to get rid of it. I kept it as a reminder of everything I lost.
We’ve just won our fourth game. I threw for three hundred yards and two touchdowns. The post-game energy in the locker room is electric, but I can barely focus on any of it.
Because in approximately fifteen minutes, I’m going to ask Jess Hartwell to marry me.
“You look like you’re going to throw up,” Landon observes.
“I feel like I’m going to throw up.”
“Aww, sweet.” He claps me on the shoulder with a laugh. “Come on bro, you’ve got this. She’s going to say yes.”
“Fuck off.”
The press conference is packed.
I take my seat at the podium. Cameras flash and reporters shout questions. But my eyes find Jess in the back of the room. She’s standing with Vivi, and suddenly everything else fades away.
“Griffin, great game tonight. Can you talk us through that final drive?”
“Actually,” I say, standing up, “I have something more important to address first.”
I step away from the podium. Walk toward the back of the room. The crowd parts before me, murmuring with confusion and curiosity.
Jess’s eyes go wide.
When I reach her, she grits her teeth. “Griffin, no. Not again. No more public confessions. What are you?”
I drop to one knee.
The room explodes. In an instant, I hear gasps, and see flashing cameras, someone definitely squeals. But it all fades away just as quickly when I take her hands in mine. The room narrows until all I see is Jess.
“I’ve had this ring for years.” I pull the velvet box from my pocket. “I bought it three weeks before I left. I was planning to propose on our anniversary. When everything fell apart, I couldn’t let it go. It was the only piece of our future I had left.”
