I pocket my phone and get back in the moment. These kids are like celebrities today and I want to focus on them. Let them have their time in the sun.
We make our way down main street, waving and smiling to everyone. There are signs made, cheering us on in our game next week and everyone is having a great time.
I hear the MC of the parade as we get closer. He’s introducing thefloat in front of us. I spot Chess in the crowd. She’s with her three brothers, standing in front of the grandstand. Tommy and Billy give me a wave and nod, but Adam just glowers at me.
The plan is to bring me on stage as the Grand Marshall, the team will circle around the front of the stage, I say a few words and then I choose my winter queen. Chess, of course, will join me on stage and then the night festivities will begin.
“And now, make way for your current state champs, Christmas’ very own... COMETS!” The crowd cheers and claps. I see Chess waving with a huge smile on her face.
It feels like I’ve already won, and we haven’t even played for the championship yet.
The MC continues, “Current state champs, led by Coach Jackson Gage, have done it once again and will be facing Sweetstown Cougars in next week’s semi-final. Once they win that game,” he pauses for dramatic effect and the crowd goes wild again. “The game for the title win will be the final stop!”
The boys are barking, and the crowd is answering. They start our chant, “Mindset. Heartset. 100 percent!” and the crowd is answering that, as well.
Our float pulls up to the front of the grandstand and I step off and onto the stage. “Christmas has been so lucky to have Coach Gage training our boys. He’s brought the hometown feel back to our school and brought this town alive with wins. And found himself a pretty special woman along the way, as well.” The MC nudges my side. “I think it’s time you select your winter queen, Coach!”
I smile and find Chess, who is already being led up the side steps. I walk towards her, meeting her halfway then turn and lead her back to stand next to me at the podium. The crowd is cheering, oohing and aahing as I place the crown on her head, and she places one on mine. We’re laughing, because this is pretty corny, even for Christmas, but it’s still fun and I’m glad she’s here with me.
Still holding her hand, I take the mic as the music dies down. “Thank you all for the recognition today. But today is not about me.” I point to the boys all lining the front of the stage. “It’s about them and their hard work and how much dedication they’ve shown you, the townof Christmas, in wanting to bring home the state champ title once again! I’ve never been prouder than I am today, of these young gentlemen who have had a huge impact on my life, as well. I’m happiest when I’m on the field coaching these guys, and happiest when I’m off the field, living life with my girl.” I give a quick kiss - keep it PG, people - and hand the mic back to the MC.
“Thank you, Coach Gage, we are happiest watching you do all those things. But ladies and gentlemen, I have some exciting news for our coach! I’m ecstatic to be the one to break this news!” He eyes me with anticipation, like he’s about to spill a big secret. “It seems another school has noticed just how special our coach really is.”
My heart drops to my stomach. My hands get clammy and my breathing stutters. This MC is going to out me, isn’t he? Before I’ve even made time to speak to anyone, he’s going to let my news slip. He can’t know. How does he know? Only Tony and I know, and obviously Eastern State University but there are contracts. NDA’s have been signed to keep this under tight lock and key.
I’m supposed to release a statement. Not this guy. And certainly not here, in front of my team, my family, the town.
My Francesca.
The MC forcibly shakes my hand. “It is my great honor to announce that Coach Gage has been signed as the new head coach for Eastern State University!”
It all happens in slow motion. My hand that was being held by Francesca’s drops to my side as she abruptly lets it go. I turn to her in a quick motion, so much so that my crown falls from my head. I watch it roll towards the front of the stage where Jameson, Connor and the rest of my team are staring back at me. Jameson steps aside as the crown rolls off the stage. I swear I can hear it shatter as it hits the ground. The crowd is not cheering or clapping. It’s so telling. My reign as king has fallen.
I find Adam's eyes in the crowd, and he has an absolute look of disappointment written across his face.
I look at Chess as she reaches across me, grabbing the mic which has now screeched through the crowd.
“Congratulations, Coach!” she booms into the crowd. “Come on,Christmas! Give it up for our one and only QB1!” She holds the mic as she claps.
Boom. Boom. Boom.
Is that her clapping? Or my heart breaking into pieces. No, my heart has already shattered like my crown.
“Coach Gage isn’t finished here yet so don’t get down. He’s still got a state title to win and bring back to us as his parting gift. Isn’t that right, Coach Gage?”
She sneers that last sentence at me.
Quietly I say, “Chess, I’m-I’m sorry. I didn’t want it to happ?—”
“Coach Gage, we offer our biggest congratulations to you, your team and your future team! Go Comets!”
She hands the mic to the MC, there’s light clapping, and I stand there, stunned about what just happened. I watch my team turn their back on me and walk away. I watch the town whisper to each other and give me disdainful looks. I watch Adam, Billy and Tommy all shake their heads as they turn to head towards the events picking up on main street.
And then I see Tony and my anger rises. He’s talking to someone but their back is turned to me so I can’t make it out. I jump off the front of the grandstand and make my way to him. Fists clenched, I yell out, “Tony, what the fuck?”
The man he was talking to turns to face me. I freeze.
Nick.
