I returned his grin and got ready for the play. Glancing at the clock, I took a calming breath and glanced at Dane. Cool as a fucking cucumber with ice in his veins. So I took a page out of his book and got in shotgun formation. With thirty-five seconds to go, I called the play and waited for the ball to hit my hands. But Denver had other ideas.
Evan Ellis
One Last Time
As the highlights of my career played in my head, there was more riding on this game for me than anyone knew. Not even Lennox. I’d kept my plans to myself in order not to rock the boat. We were heading toward a perfect season and a history-making, undefeated record, and all I wanted was to savor this time with my friends. Who wouldn’t want to go out on a high like that at thirty-four?
We’d lined up, ready to go, when Denver called a timeout. Rising up, I looked at the stands where my family stood cheering. Falling in love and marrying the Governor of California had been the best thing to ever happen to me. I loved Hudson and our kids fiercely. Even though Jack and Erin weren’t mine biologically, they were mine in every other way. I never realized how much I wanted to be a father until Hudson came along. Who knew spilling a drink could change so many lives?
Hudson smiled down at me, then put his hands together to make a heart. I loved it when he did that, so I patted my chest over my heart as Lennox approached. Smiling at my best friend, I couldn’t tell him how much I wanted this win for him. He’d been through so much in his life, from horrible parents tosurviving on his own. Winning Dane back was the highlight of his life, and when he almost lost him last year, it made me ache for him. Lennox deserved this because it was going to be our last one together.
“You ready, Ellis? We’re gonna do this, me and you.” He held his hand out, but I pulled him into a hug. If he only knew how much his friendship meant to me.
“I’m ready. Let’s do it.”
Lennox pulled back and looked up into my eyes. “I’m gonna try to call off-sides again just to fuck with them.”
“Of course you are,” I grinned.
We jogged back out onto the field as the timeout expired. The fans went nuts as we huddled up one more time and Lennox called the play. Mason nodded that he understood, and we lined up, ready to go.
Lennox stepped under center and went with his favorite hard count. Just like he predicted, Denver jumped, giving us five more yards. I grabbed Lennox by the arm. “Don’t fuck with the defense. You know that makes them feral for next season.”
He laughed as we reset, then called the play.
This was it. The last minutes of my football career.
I took a moment to savor the feeling, the crowd, as I took my place on the line. When Mason snapped the ball, I popped up, then hesitated before taking off down the sideline. We’d practiced this a million times over the years, so I knew where to be and when to look for the ball. Turning my head, I watched Lennox release the ball as it sailed in a perfect spiral toward me. Landing in my arms between my numbers, I cradled it against my chest. Hauling ass, I outran the cornerback who had been covering me like a wet blanket all day, and dove into the end zone, almost knocking the breath out of me.
“Motherfucker,” he shouted, making me smile. At least it wasn’t a homophobic slur this time. I was used to them, but my kids weren’t.
My teammates ran down the field with Lennox leading the way. He jumped into my arms as we made our way to the sideline. “God damn, I love you, Ellis!” he shouted.
My heart broke a little as I laughed with my best friend. “I love you too, buddy. It’s been a hell of a ride.”
Lennox’s smile dimmed enough for me to know he knew what I was saying. We would have that conversation later, but not while we celebrated. Standing side by side, like we had for the last ten seasons, we watched the extra point go on the board. 40-35. Carson and Colin would still have some work to do, and in the end, they did it.
We were ending with a perfect 18-0 season, but we’d accomplished something even bigger than winning another championship, at least to the five of us. Colin and Carson were the first married couple to play on the same team, making history in the NFL and setting a standard that hopefully made it easier for other LGBTQ players.
When the blue and yellow confetti rained down on us, I hugged Lennox tightly. He looked at me with sadness in his eyes. “This is it, isn’t it? You’re really going to do it.”
I nodded. “I think so.” I swallowed down the emotion threatening to choke me. “We’ll talk later.”
He nodded as we were engulfed by our friends and soon our family. When Hudson and the kids made it down to the field, I hugged Jack first. He was about to start his college career at Southern Cal as their quarterback. “This is going to be you one day, buddy. And your dad and I are going to be up there cheering you on.”
His smile was as dear to me as his father’s. “If it happens, it’s because of you. And Lennox.”
“Notif,” I said, hugging him closer. “When. When you get to this moment in your life, we’ll all be cheering you on.”
Three years later, he would be drafted by the Portland Pirates and set off on his own career to tell his own story. And we all would be there to cheer him on.
The five of us stood together as a family on the field as the presentation began. We’d started this journey together years ago, and it meant the world to me to go out with them. We would never say goodbye to each other because we were more than teammates. We were brothers for life.
Thomas Kingsley
Five Years Later
When I left the governor’s detail almost six years ago, I never imagined my life ending up the way it had. I’d resigned myself to a solitary life, devoting my time and energy to my career. Owning my own company, Kingsley Security, had taken off after my initial season with the Storm. Management had decided it was more feasible to outsource a larger security network, freeing up capital for player services. And when my bid for the trial run was accepted, I hired more security specialists, leaving me time to grow the business and be with my husband at the same time.
