“I know. He hasn’t stopped talking about it.”
“Have I told you how much I love you?”
“Not in the last thirty minutes.”
Smiling wide, I expressed, “I fucking love you. Then, now, always.”
“Dad!” Ben called out from the building blocks. “Look what I built!”
“I’ll be right back, don’t go anywhere.”
“I wouldn’t dream of it.”
The day couldn’t have been more perfect. It helped ease the worry about the big game. I wanted to win it for my team.
For her dad.
For my son.
The next evening came quickly, and as I stood in the locker room about to go out onto the field I’d played on for thirteen years, I couldn’t help but count all of my blessings. I had everything I’d ever wanted. Everyone I loved was in the family suite, waiting for me to run out on that field.
My mom.
Evie.
Caleb.
Kinley, who was there with Christian.
Even Autumn and Julian were in attendance.
“You ready?” Coach questioned, bringing my attention to him.
“As ready as I’ll ever be.”
He nodded. “You’re going to destroy them.”
“That’s the plan.”
“Before you head out, I just want to tell you as your coach and father-in-law, I’m damn proud of the man you’ve become. Now get your ass out there and show them why you’re the G.O.A.T.”
“Thanks, Coach.”
I made my way out to the stadium with my heart in my throat. This was what I did best, play football. As soon as I walked into that stadium, the crowd went fucking wild in a way I’d never experienced before. This was the moment that I proved to the world why I’d left Miami to play for the Fort Worth Big Horns.
I’d made a team from nothing, and now we were going to win the Super Bowl.
* * *
—Sophie—
* * *
This was by far one of my proudest moments for Jax. Feeling the adrenaline and hype of his fans sent a surge of happiness coursing through my body.
Once the game started, he looked like a god out on that field. Sweat dripping off every inch of his muscular body. It was truly amazing what he could do. When he looked up at our box, he nodded and mouthed, “I love you” to me.
I never thought I’d hear the words, and now he expressed them every chance he got. We’d both made mistakes, and I would forever regret the years we’d lost, but we were making up for all that lost time. I’d give him six babies if that was what he wanted.