I love getting to watch the guys celebrate the wins. We always want to appreciate these moments, because we know they won’t last forever.
After I remind them all to stay safe and to show up on time for practice on Monday, they start to head out. I wait until every last one has cleared the locker room before gathering up my own things and waving goodbye to my assistant coach and heading out.
The win tonight felt great. Not only to keep our winning streak alive, but because I wanted to impress Sutton.
Not that me losing would have made any difference on her being impressed, but it felt important to win for her tonight. That I’m capable of leading a group of young guys on and off the field.
Slinging my bag over my shoulder, I walk out the door and am immediately greeted with familiar voices.
Sutton is standing with my parents and Jameson, whileTroy and Lydia are running around in a game only the two of them understand.
The second he sees me, Troy comes running to me. “Daddy! You won!”
“Because you were there cheering for me.” I spin his hat around his head so I can see him better. The small crowd that has gathered makes their way to us.
“I must say, that was a very good game,” Jameson tells me. “I didn’t think I’d like football, but I do.”
The man next to him smirks. “You only understood about half of it.”
“But they won,” he tells him. “Derek, this is Gunnar.”
“His boyfriend.” Gunnar’s handshake is firm as he tells me who he is.
“It’s nice to meet you.”
Seeing Gunnar, who is in dark jeans and a white polo shirt next to Jameson, who is wearing a tie-dyed T-shirt with leather pants, the two are about as opposite as you can get. Yet, somehow they work together.
“Your team looks good,” Gunnar tells me.
“I appreciate that.”
“Next time don’t make it so tight, okay?” Mom interrupts, dropping a kiss onto my cheek.
I laugh. “I’ll be sure to let them know what you think at practice on Monday.”
“It was a good comeback win,” Dad agrees. “Great job, son.”
“Thanks.”
Pride bursts from my chest at their words. They never cease to heap praise on me after a win. It was never like this when I was playing, so to hear it now is a great feeling.
Sutton is standing behind them with Lydia in front of her. Lydia is bouncing on the balls of her feet.
“That was fun football, Mr. Derek,” Lydia tells me. “Do you think we can come to another game?”
“If your mom says it’s okay.” My eyes dart up to the woman in question who is grinning back at me.
“Mommy, please can we come back and watch another game? That was so much fun!”
“I thought you were worried about not liking it?”
Lydia shakes her head, pigtails batting her in the face. “That was super fun.”
“Then we can definitely come back, sweetheart.”
Sutton looks back up at me, a warm smile on her face.
All I want to do is pull her in for a kiss, because, God, does she ever look beautiful right now.
