“Say a few words,” she encourages and then laughs when I glare at her. She knows I already have a press conference after this where more smiling and tears will undoubtedly ensue.
“Thank you,” I start, my words choked, and I have to swallow hard before I’m ready to try again. “I’ll be making a formal statement after this, but I just want to say thank you to my coaches, teammates, and to all of you.” I wait as the fans cheer again, my smile impossibly big as I take them in. “It’s been my joy to play not just for the championship but in every match. This game has been the best part of me for a long time, but aftersome incredible life changes last year, I’ve found my priorities have changed. I cannot tell you how truly humbled I am by your love and support during my career. And like you, I can’t wait to cheer on the Tennessee Tornadoes when they go for the championship next year!”
I hug Coach Arsenault as the stadium vibrates around us, the raw energy and enthusiasm my favorite part of being on the field. It’s what always kept me going—what kept me going tonight.
I’m almost to the stairs when my steps falter.
“Nessa Hart.”
My name ricochets through the space as Jensen walks across the field with Remi in his arms, the club team trailing behind him.
“Who gave that man a mic?” I mutter, making Coach laugh as I take a steadying breath and start down the stairs.
“There’s a lot of things I could say,” Jensen says, his voice booming, “but I think I’ll stick with…” He trails off and drops to one knee with Remi holding his hand, and my girls flip over their signs as they scream.
Will you marry me!?
They wave their signs, the letters bright and bold for the crowd to see as I shake my head and jog the rest of the way over. Jensen’s smile grows and Remi reaches for me.
“Hey Trouble,” he says so only we can hear. “What do you think?”
“I think you could have been a bit more subtle,” I tease as I tickle Remi’s belly, making her giggle and squirm in my arms.
“Say yes, say yes!”
“See? Even they want it,” he remarks as the crowd takes up the chant, and my face heats. “Be mine. Ours. Today and every day after.”
I nod and mouthyesbecause there’s no way anyone would be able to hear me over the riot of sound. Jensen slips the ring on my finger and then stands, kissing me almost indecently before we’re mobbed by the girls from the university and my teammates, Kinsley, and our friends and family.
It’s a chocolate cake with pink frosting.
And it’s everything.
50
EPILOGUE
NESSA
Retired Soccer Championship MVP, Nessa Hart, Makes Blackstone Falls Home
By: Arden James
In an exclusive interview, Nessa Hart shared her thoughts on being a professional athlete, winning the championship for the Tennessee Tornadoes, and accepting a coaching position at Blackstone University. Hart, recently engaged to county sheriff, Jensen Kade, stated that Kade’s mother, Dottie, had been influential in her decision to retire from the league.
“She told me it was okay to redefine success. I’d spent a lot of years living and breathing the game and had lost so much of the passion I’d had in my younger years. When I first came to Blackstone Falls, I was given a unique opportunity to coach at the collegiate level and it was that spark I’d been missing…
Tossing the paper down on the counter, I grin at Mason who has no fewer than five copies around the room. “I think I’m gonna frame them. One at least. I mean, also they might show upon your doorstep so keep an eye out.” He winks and I close the distance to hug him.
“I appreciate you,” I say honestly before stepping back and grabbing a plate of food as everyone mingles around.
The stories about game night were epic—mostly Jensen losing his shit over losing—and I couldn’t wait to see it in action. Dottie and Wayne had Remi for a sleepover, much to the guys’ dismay. Their love for her never failed to warm my heart because while I had never been showered in love, my daughter certainly would be.
Daughter.
It’d taken me almost the entire season, but I hadn’t corrected Remi when she called meMamafor the first time or any time after that. We’d taken flowers to Scarlett’s grave, and I’d felt strangely at peace, a light wind blowing my hair back from my face. It was like she was giving me her blessing in the only way she could.
I hadn’t stopped the tears, only held Remi tighter as Jensen wrapped his arms around us, as I grieved my cousin and the life she never got to live. I gave thanks for being able to take care of Remi, for finding Jensen and falling in love, and feeling bone-deep happiness despite so much tragedy.
