The game continues on, both teams playing for their lives, the energy in the stadium almost suffocating with how much anticipation and adrenaline is humming through every single person in the stands, and when it comes to the 2 minute warning at the end of the fourth quarter, the game is still tied, and San Francisco has the fucking ball.
“I can’t do this,” Tessa says, ripping her hands from her friends and standing up.
“Tessa, get back here!” Brinley yells.
“I’ll be right back, I just need to puke.”
Tessa attempts to walk away but is stopped by a warm hand on her shoulder, and she looks up to meet Diane’s eyes.
“Stay right here with me,” Diane says with a sweet smile, as if she doesn’t have a care in the world and wraps a loving arm around Tessa’s shoulders. “Turn your pretty self around, you know he wants you watching.”
“It’s too much,” she whines, her voice catching in her throat. “How do you do this?”
“I just focus on how hard he’s worked and how many more seasons he has in him, and what he’s accomplished up to this point. I’m so proud of him, Tessa,” Diane says with tears in her eyes.
“You should be,” Tessa says back quickly. “He’s the best man I’ve ever met. He has the biggest heart and has so much love for people. And how hard he works? How determined he is? Gosh, Diane. I truly don’t know how you made such an amazing man.Twoamazing men!”
Diane sniffs and wipes at her eyes.
“How could I be stressed about a game when I know how great of a man he is?” Diane says. “He could lose every single game for the rest of his career, and I wouldn’t even bat an eye.”
Tessa let’s out a puff of air before sucking it back in aggressively, willing herself not to cry at the fucking Super Bowl.
Suddenly the crowd erupts and Diane releases Tessa, throwing her hands in the air and whooping loudly.
“What happened?” Tessa says frantically to the people around her. “I missed it, what happened?!”
“We fucking intercepted!” One of Tristan’ childhood friends says into Tessa’s ear. “We got the fucking ball back!”
“Oh shit,” Tessa whispers, stumbling forward and clumsily finding her way back to the seats in front of the glass where Brinley and Katie are standing and banging against the glass.
“Get over here you scaredy cat!” Katie screams, yanking Tessa over to them and shoving her against the glass. “This is it!”
“Come on, Phil,” Brinley whispers into her hands, her eyes closed in a prayer. “You got this, baby.”
Tessa shakes her head frantically as the Titans offense floods onto the field and her eyes immediately find Tristan. His body is big, strong, and steady as he stands against the line of scrimmage in formation. She watches as his fingers twitch andcan see the rapid rise and fall of his body from the intensity of his breathing.
“I might actually puke,” Tessa says, bringing her shaking hands up to close around her throat.
“Get a grip, Smith!” Katie yells, shoving Tessa back into the glass, and Tessa lets out a loud laugh.
“I can’t do it!” Tessa yells dramatically, a giant smile on her face as Katie rolls her eyes.
Brinley is still silent next to her, praying over and over again with her eyes closed.
It all happens in a flash – literally a matter of seconds.
The ball is hiked into Phillip’s hands, his feet light and quick on the turf as he bounces around waiting for the opening of whatever play he just called.
“Oh, Christ,” Tessa squeals and Brinley’s hand slaps against her arms, clutching at her desperately, and Tessa clutches right back.
“GET OPEN!!” Katie screams, pulling at her hair.
“I’m throwing up,” Tessa groans and slaps her forehead against the glass.
“Please Lord…” Brinley continues to pray, eyes still closed.
Jordan is unusually quiet behind them, not saying a word and standing completely still.
