Nudging me, Johnny lowers his voice. “Still can’t get over Vanessa Fox being behind the blog.”
With so much going on, it’s easy to forget how much trouble she caused. “I’m not sure who started it, but she was definitely the one calling the shots by last fall.”
After the school investigated, the administration expelled four students for their involvement, including Vanessa, due to invasion of privacy accusations and other legalities. Although I heard she recently snagged a job at a big gossip site in Los Angeles, her legal troubles here are just beginning, as three former Lone Star athletes are suing her for libel. Her father took a leave of absence and likely won’t return next fall.
When the draft kicks off, my attention snaps back to the present moment, and my stomach flips. Levi smiles at me from the stroller, and I lean over and pick him up. I sniff the lavender scent in his hair and that baby scent that clings to his skin. He’s a chunker like his brother. Jude is sleeping peacefully even though the energy in this room is crazy. But Levi bounces on my lap, curious to see what’s going on.
Having my son in my arms calms me.
It doesn’t matter what happens today, I remind myself. I already have everything I need in this life. An incredible woman. Beautiful sons. Amazing family and friends. Everything else is icing on the cake.
Worst-case scenario, I don’t get drafted. I’m okay with that. Never thought I’d ever feel that way, but I am. I’d be disappointed, sure, but I’ll survive. I’ll get a job and have barbecues in our backyard with Maggie, and we’ll watch our kids grow up. That would be a damn good life.
Not getting drafted would mean I can’t help my parents with the renovations to their farm or my grandfather’s trailer as soon as I’d like, but I’d be around more to do any physical work they need, and I’d be close in case they had an emergency. We’d have to hold off on the plans we have for Maggie’s house. The kitchen is ancient, and I’d love for my girl to have some nice, shiny appliances since she loves to cook and we’d be staying there long-term.
At least Gramps is covered. He just joined a new medical program Sienna’s dad developed that helps seniors with the cost of medications. That’s been my biggest worry, and knowing that he’ll get his insulin no matter what goes down this afternoon is a huge relief.
Ultimately, if today doesn’t turn out the way I hope, it won’t be the end of the world.
I’m so deep in thought, I don’t hear my name being called.
“Olly!” Maggie jumps in her seat as she takes the baby out of my arms. “That’s you! Chicago picked you!”
Holy shit. I’m a first-round draft pick.
I did it. Well, we did it.
This is a culmination of so many sacrifices. I stand and hug my girlfriend, careful not to squish Levi. “This is our victory, Mags. Not just mine.” I lean over to hug my mom and dad. “Love you guys. Couldn’t have gotten here without you.”
It’s one of the best feelings of my life. Not just because I overcame my ACL injury and played again, but because the people I love most in the world are here with me to celebrate.
The cameraman circles us while people congratulate me.
My mom tells everyone to quiet down and points to the TV where there’s a montage of me playing football at different ages—from peewee to high school and college. But the photos that make my eyes sting are the ones of me with Maggie and the twins. Of Jude asleep on my chest. Of Levi snuggled in the crook of my arm as I read. Of me jogging down the street with the kids in their stroller. Of my teammates in the hospital waiting room, getting their first glimpse of the boys.
Over the photos, the broadcaster says, “Michael Oliver is not only one of the top college running backs in the country, he’s also a dedicated family man. He and his girlfriend had twins last fall, and when Olly’s not training, you can find him trying to get his boys to eat their vegetables.”
The last photo is of me, covered in pea puree, crouched behind Jude and Levi, who are in their highchairs. Their green, toothless mouths are stretched in wide, pleased grins, since they managed to get more on me than in their stomachs.
Smiling, I turn to my parents. “How’d they get all those pics? Did you do this?”
Mom takes Levi and motions toward my girlfriend. “That was Maggie’s idea. She put it all together.”
I scoop my woman into a hug. “Thank you. That was amazing.”
Her beautiful brown eyes turn up to me. “Wanted to make it up to you.” She doesn’t have to explain what ‘it’ is. I know she still feels guilty for that billboard. Hopefully today proves to her I’m over it.
“You’ve already given me everything, Maggie.”
With one tiny exception I aim to rectify this evening.
* * *
MAGGIE
“Are you sure the boys will be okay?” I sound like a broken record. “Did I leave them with enough breastmilk?”
Olly squeezes my knee. “They’re fine. Remember how well things went last time my parents babysat?”
