Epilogue 1
Lexi – Ten Months Later
“Yeah!” “Yeah!”
“Woo Hoo!”
An earsplitting whistle.
Thunderous applause.
The hubbub surrounds me, as the crowd, along with me, cheers wildly. Everyone holds their breath as a player from our basketball team shoots a free throw during a game that is in double overtime.
Swoosh!
More deafening applause and cheering acknowledges the additional point on the scoreboard. A point that we desperately need.
Winning this game will get the Volunteers into the upcoming NCAA basketball tournament, so a lot is at stake. They’re currently losing by a 2-point margin as time rapidly ticks off the clock.
“Don’t close your eyes!” Brady says with a laugh as he wraps me in his arms, shielding me from the jostling of the boisterous crowd.
“I can’t watch! It’s too stressful,” I say, my voice muffled as I huddle against the safety of his broad chest. I feel him shaking his head, in amusement or disappointment, I’m not sure, of my excuse for not watching these last few seconds.
Holding my breath and peeking out from behind my hands, I give in and watch as a Volunteer player launches a last second shot at the buzzer. As the sound of the horn blares, the ball hits the rim and bounces off.
“Ugh!”
The air instantly goes out of the stadium, the crowd goes silent, and people start to shuffle out of the arena with disappointment on their faces.
“Oh well, there’s always next year,” I say as I pull on my lightweight jacket, a touch of winter still holding on despite the calendar declaring it should almost be spring.
Brady bemusedly shakes his head. “Says the girl wearing orange face paint and a Volunteers jersey,” he teases.
Smirking, I point at his full Volunteer gear and say, “Like you can talk.” Even though Brady declared he wouldn’t become a zealous fan, both of us have succumbed, attending every football game last fall, and every basketball game this season. I’ve got to admit that it’s fun to cheer for your university’s teams. That’s a phrase I never thought I’d say, but I like it.
Brady and I have settled into college life like two typical freshmen, just with a little more maturity under our belts than the other first year attendees. He’s living in the dorm with a lot of fellow engineering students, while I’m renting a small apartment just off campus. As a former celebrity, I didn’t want to live in crowded student housing or have a roommate. That was just too much of a transition for me.
“Let’s leave for Hope Creek right after class on Friday,” I say, changing the topic to our upcoming trip to participate in christening of Harper and Chase’s new baby. “Willow reserved us a couple rooms at the Christmas Inn,” I remind him.
“Okay, but we have to come back early on Sunday afternoon because I have a calculus exam I need to study for.”
“Alright,” I say in a grumbly voice, wishing we could stay longer and get to know new baby Magnolia better. Plus, Willow and Jace’s little boy, Oliver, is almost four months old, and he is such a little cutie. His baby snuggles are the best and I could hold him all day long.
Although I love being a student, sometimes I would rather be with my adopted families, as I call them. Willow and Jace along with Harper and Chase have become like family to me. It’s such a blessing to have them in my life, in addition to Brady who’s the best boyfriend a girl could ask for. Supportive, sweet, and thoughtful, plus that zing of chemistry I always feel around him never gets old.
He puts his arm around my shoulders as we follow the throng out of the arena. “How about Peppy’s Pizza for dinner? We’ll do take out,” he says knowing the place will be packed after the game.
“Sounds delightful.” Now that I don’t have to worry about every ounce on my small frame, I gladly indulge in what were previously off-limits foods.
This college life and getting to spend time with Brady suits me. I’m so thankful I took the risk.
~*~
When we get to my apartment, my phone pings with a text message. I plop down on the couch and swipe the screen to reveal several incoming messages that arrived while I was in the noisy stadium. My brows scrunch together in disbelief as I read the sequence of messages.
Evelyn: Your movie just opened. It is number one at the box office!
Evelyn: They’re talking about a sequel and want you to play Josie
Evelyn: You need to give them your answer by tomorrow
Evelyn: Call me
Staring at the screen, several thoughts pop into my head. Surprise that such a corny movie is a hit rather than a flop. . . Amazement that Hollywood is already talking about a follow-on film. . . Temptation to star in part two. . .
I quickly reel in the last thought. My life acting in movies is over and I don’t want to ever go back.
“What’s with the grumpy cat face?” Brady says as I continue to stare at my cell. I hold it up so he can read the string of texts. “Wow! Number one at the box office.”
Snickering, I say, “Obviously, the American public just wants to see women running around in skimpy clothes.”
He laughs. “Especially you running around in skimpy clothes.” His face turns serious. “Are you tempted to do the sequel?”
I shift on the leather seat. “To be honest, when I first read the message, I thought about it for an instant. But then I remembered the long days of filming, reciting that horrible dialogue, and being sewn into my outfits so I wouldn’t flash the camera.”
Brady takes my hands and gazes intently into my eyes. “Are you just saying that because I’m here or do you mean it?”
Peering back at his chocolate eyes that are giving me an adoring look, the truth hits me like a slap to the face. “I mean it,” I reply firmly.
He kisses me soundly, and we lose track of time. I love this man with all my heart and want to spend the rest of my life with him. But for now, we’ll both focus on getting our degrees and see where the Lord leads us.