Page 5 of Made Better Together

CONNOR: Yeah. It’s true.

GRACE: WHAT? Why didn’t you tell us?

CONNOR: I didn’t know if anything would come of it, to be honest.

LANDON: Still? We don’t keep this shit from each other.

CONNOR: Rawley knew.

RAWLEY: [shrinking into bushes GIF]

CONNOR: I guess the truth is out now.

GRACE: Well, it sounds like you played a good game. So congrats :)

CONNOR: Thanks, Gracie.

LANDON: But back to soccer for this season? Like the article says?

CONNOR: Yeah. For now.

CONNOR: I might try out for the football team next year with the starter Stu graduating.

RAWLEY: Oh shit, you just made Landon’s day.

LANDON: Don’t love the secrecy, but fucking thrilled about this.

CONNOR: Let’s not get too far ahead of ourselves, please.

RAWLEY: Meanwhile, Landon’s pulled up the Princeton football merch site and bought a bumper sticker.

LANDON: Shut up, I have not.

GRACE: Well, I just did

RAWLEY: Nice, get three

1

CONNOR

JULY 4, PRESENT DAY

“You may kiss the bride,” the officiant announces.

Johnson—now my brother-in-law—reaches for Grace, who moves to meet him. They seal the deal with the kiss.

Happily ever after.

They actually have a chance at that, since they’re fucking perfect for each other. Grace’s sweet nature is fully matched by Johnson’s devoted, “I’ll do anything for the people I love” character.

Grace must have claimed my chunk of the Battle family “kindness” quotient, because it’s not a trait I would claim myself.

Their kiss is accompanied by a chorus of celebratory shouts from Johnson’s closest friends on the Waves, for which he plays quarterback. Even more team members will attend the reception at a nearby lakefront mansion later.

Filling out the Waves contingent, my brothers are up here with me as part of the wedding party. Landon, the best man, and Rawley, a groomsman like me.

Finally, the newlyweds break apart. “Let’s all congratulate Johnson and Grace on their marriage, as they leave as husband and wife,” the officiant proclaims.