Page 39 of Kicked in the Heart

As the band played their last song, she stood in Butch’s arms swaying to the music. A sway was all she could manage, she was exhausted. She’d danced with every player on the team, including the coaches. Butch had kept his promise not to shove cake in her face. Everyone had laughed hysterically when Trey, wearing a dress, had danced with Butch during the dollar dance. The other players had started chanting “Take it off,” as they tossed money out onto the dance floor. The other guests joined in and they collected over five hundred dollars for a local charity that provided sports equipment to underprivileged kids.

The reception had still been going strong when Butch pulled her toward the door. Trey caught sight of them and yelled, “They’re trying to sneak out!”

She pulled Butch into her arms and kissed him. Her cheeks burned at some of the lewd comments, you’d think she’d be used to a bunch of football players vocabulary by now. Her family rushed forward and there were hugs and kisses all around, even for Butch. Alone for most of his life, he now had a family.Thankfully her mother had behaved and there’d been no family drama but that wouldn’t last, she was sure.

Finally, they were in the limo and headed toward the hotel for the night. They had a few precious hours to rest before they had to be at the airport for their flight to Hawaii. Two weeks of nothing but sand, and sun, and the two of them alone.

As they approached the hotel room, Butch handed her the key card and then swung her into his arms.

“Butch!” she squealed as he laughed.

“You wanted the whole wedding experience so you’re getting it. Can’t forget about carrying my beautiful girl… I mean wife, over the threshold.” He pushed the door closed with his foot before carrying her to the bed.

And then she was flying through the air to land on the bed with her husband on top of her. Her husband. Now she really did have it all.

So, she kissed him.

Epilogue

Butch

She stood in his arms and kissed him before she grabbed her bag and walked to the locker room. He wasn’t sure how he felt as he watched her walk away from him. It was opening day and his first game as a coach instead of a player. Sure, he was proud of her, she’d kick ass as always, but he had to admit he was a little jealous. The ache in his knee reminded him why he’d retired.

When she disappeared through the door, he turned to go to the coach’s offices. He’d been surprised when Coach Albertson had offered him an assistant defensive coach position. Him a coach? After discussing it with Rocky, he’d accepted.

That first practice had been brutal. The players didn’t respect him as a coach. He was their buddy. After some advice from the other coaches who’d started out as players he’d settled in to job. He been surprised at how much he enjoyed being a coach. As a player he’d thought the coaches had cushy jobs but now he knew differently. Now he knew how much stress they were under towin every week. Now he understood why the defensive coach had always been on his ass.

As a player, he’d pushed boundaries and flaunted the rules, showing up to practice hung over or late. Now he understood. Luckily none of his players were as bad as he’d been. They’d worked hard and they were ready for the opening game.

“Coach Sutton.,” Trey said as he came up to him. “Ready for your first game?”

“Yeah, I think so.” He was surprised at how nervous he felt. “I just hope I don’t do something stupid.”

“You’ll be fine. I’ve watched you at practice and you seem to have it figured out.”

He ran his hand through his hair. “But today I’ll be doing it in front of thousands of Legends fans.”

“You’ve got this,” Trey replied. “I’ve got to get changed. See you on the field, Coach.”

Three hours later he watched the ball sail through the uprights, his yell of celebration lost in the roar of the crowd. How had it taken him so long to see just how good she was? The grace and power of her kicks were something special, she was sure to break some long-standing records.

As the special teams unit trotted off the field, he saw his wife grin at him. A huge smile on his face, he wanted nothing more than to pull her into his arms for a kiss but it wasn’t permitted during a game, it would have to wait until later.

Rocky

At the end of the game, the team headed for the showers. Rocky stopped when she felt a hand on her arm.

“I can’t believe they let a girl kick in this league.”

With a smile, she turned and replied, “Hey, asshole,” she said as she stepped into his arms.

His lips found hers and everything else dropped away. Neither one of them cared about the whistles and catcalls, they only existed for each other.

“Get a room!”

“You sucking up to the coach?” A laugh and then, “No, just sucking face.”

“My turn next!”

She heard Butch growl at that one, “No fucking way.”

She put her face in his chest and laughed. “Good to know.”

“I’ve been waiting hours for that,” Butch said when she looked up at him.

“Me, too.”

She stepped away and waved her fingers at him. “See you in a few.”

He was the luckiest asshole in the world.