We kick the field goal, take the lead 20-17. The Vipers get the ball back. And then, a nightmare. Interception. My fault. Now they’re at our 2-yard line. 55 seconds left. One timeout for them. They’re running the clock down.
My heart is pounding against my ribs. I stand on the sideline, helpless, watching DJ and the defense prepare for Armageddon. Don’t break. Not now. Not here. I pray.
The Vipers move. A dog pile forms, I can’t see the ball. My eyes are fixed on the goal line stripe. A whistle. No touchdown. Thank you, God.
Then Rex calls the next play; he’s shooting forward and he’s met by DJ, a thunderous crack that echoes across the field. Rex’s helmet is ripped back, but DJ doesn’t let up, driving him backward, tripping him up. The officials signal, short of the goal line.
The Vipers burn their last time out. DJ gets up, a primal roar tearing from his throat, his eyes blazing. He looks right at me, a silent promise: We won’t break. They have one more play, or they have to kick.
I watch as the Vipers’ kicker trots out. His vibrant blue jersey glowing like a beacon against the stadium lights and snow flurries.Long snapper to the holder to the kicker, the play, nanoseconds long, plays in slow motion before me. The sharp thud of the kick, I watch as the ball sails through the air. The sharp doink of the ball hitting the goal post, falling left. The Vipers’ kicker is standing there, head down, hands on his hips.
The officials’ signal. No good.
NO GOOD.
NO FUCKING GOOD!
The waves of cheers and cries of elation fill the air. Confetti starts to rain down. I find DJ, sprinting toward him, meeting him in a bone-jarring, helmet-to-helmet collision of a hug. Ty and Cam are right on top of us.
The game wasn’t clean. It wasn’t easy but we did it.
We’re moving on to the Super Bowl!
Chapter 56
Elle
Holy. Fucking. Shit.
Conference Champs.
Super Bowl Bound.
Sadie and I are crying, our tears freezing upon our cheeks. Jay and his family whoop and wallop beside us. Hugging us and reveling in the victory. I can only imagine the celebration going on in the box. It’s the only time I wish I was up there today.
Confetti rains upon the field, I watch as Archer sprints to DJ crashing into him. A bear hug so tight I feel it in my bones. Cameron and Ty are there in an instant crushing them beneath their gear.
A Wolves’ security member comes and grabs Sadie and I. He ushers us to the family area where we can wait for the boys in the warmth of the lobby.
Chapter 57
Archer
Acustom Conference Champions hat is placed on my head. Deej and I are given the trophy, and we hoist it high in the air for all to see. It’s gaudy and silver and it’s everything I ever dreamed of as a child.
In the locker room I’m met with a champagne shower. The boys laugh maniacally as they soak me to the bone. It’s pure mayhem here, in retaliation I grab a cheap bottle and make sure to soak Ty and DJ. Cam was already hit by another defensive tackle. Music is blasting and I can barely hear it above the shouts and cheers of my teammates. Once everyone has finished soaking each other with champagne and beer, Coach Peirson whistles, signaling everyone’s attention.
“Listen up boys!” His voice commands our attention. “I am so damn proud of you all.” He swallows, his icy expression from the game melting into one of pride and gratitude. “You played your hearts out. Three years ago you all took a chance on me, and I’m so-” This time the crack in his voice is obvious. “I’m so grateful for you all.” Taking a steading breath, he finishes his short speech with “Enjoy tonight! Our job isn’t finished. We have a Super Bowl to win!”
A roar erupts in the locker room singing the praises of the man who has led us true the whole season.
“To the man who sticks with us through thick and thin!” I shout raising my bottle of champagne. “To you, Coach!”
Coach bows his head trying to hide the emotions across his face. After our toasts he hands out the game balls, gifting one to me and one to DJ.
I didn’t want to rush the celebrations with my team, but my family is outside of our locker room. So once things start to die down, I quickly take off the sticky champagne-soaked jersey and change into the conference champs shirt and hat that were waiting for me.
Reporters are waiting outside the locker room wanting to get bits from us. I see Kirk Williams and his weasel ass waiting, but I don’t give a shit. I see my girl waiting off to the side in the family area. I pick up the pace greeting her with a kiss. Someone had given her a championship hat and I knocked it off while pulling her close to me. Her lips are still on mine, her arms around my neck. Cameras flash all around us but all that matters is her. She’s here, I break the kiss slowly coming back to myself.
