Holy fuck.
Mark and I run down the sideline, eyes on Brian the whole time as he sprints to the end zone unchallenged, and… touchdown!
With twelve seconds left on the clock, we won the game. Brian won us the fucking game.
Everyone is screaming and cheering, and the entire team rushes Brian, but fuck them.Fuck them.He’s mine.
I charge onto the field, shoving everyone out of my way as I go. The only thing on my mind is getting to my man.
His head snaps up as I run toward him and jump into his arms, knocking his helmet off. And there, in front of 70,000 screaming fans, I kiss the love of my life.
CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
BRIAN
I can barely processwhat’s happening.
I’m surrounded by the team, the crowd is deafening, and I think I just won the goddamn Super Bowl. But it’s hard to give a shit about any of that because Ryan is in my arms, kissing me like I’m the only thing that’s ever mattered. Like I’m the only thing that willevermatter.
Noise from our teammates is what makes us break our kiss, but when we do, I don’t set him down. I just raise my eyebrows and smile.
“Well, I guess people know now.”
His smile is brighter than the field lights. He slides out of my arms, that smile morphing into a smirk that sets me on fire. “You think they noticed?”
I glance around. “Might have.”
“Hardison! Ackley!” Coach calls, cutting through the crowd of players. He shakes his head. “A heart attack wasn’t on my bingo card for today.”
I open my mouth to say something, but Coach waves a hand.
“We’ll deal with that after we finish winning this game.”
As we head to the sidelines so the special team can head out for the point after touchdown play, I slip my hand into Ryan’s and Wendell falls into step beside us.
“Guess you found your right time too.”
Rightprobably remains to be seen, but I’m not mad the world knows.
Mark smacks my shoulder, then throws an arm around Ryan when we get to the sideline. “You always have to make everything about you, don’t you? Winning wasn’t enough.”
“If anything, I was making it all about Brian. Being in a relationship now, I understand that it’s not just about me.”
I bite back a laugh.
“Well, at least I’ll have fewer people interested in my retirement,” Wendell says.
Normally, I’d be sick to my stomach over what we’re going to have to deal with and how invasive people will likely be after all this, but with the high of making the winning play in the Super Bowl and finally being with the man I love, it’s impossible to be anything but elated.
Okay,now I’m nervous. Postgame press conferences are never one of my favorite things to do, but of course, we got tapped for tonight’s. Coach, Mark, and Wendell will talk with them afterward, but I’m not stupid enough to believe the questions Ryan and I will get will have much to do with me winning the game.
I still can’t believe that happened. Wendell’s words stuck with me all game, and not going for that interception would’ve been giving up. I saw the play, and I ran with it. Literally.
As we finish getting changed, I force myself to take deep breaths. We didn’t confirm anything to the team yet, and while we’ve gotten plenty of looks, no one has said anything—good or bad. Though with the way Wendell and Mark run the team, it’s unlikely anyone will risk saying something shitty out loud.
“Hey,” TJ says, walking up with Beckett. “Look, we’re not necessarily going to presume anything, but we know how close you two have always been?—”
“If we crossed a line with shit we said at any point,” Beckett cuts in, “we’re sorry. The last thing we want is for you guys to feel unwelcome or unsafe here.”
