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Adam

Devin: Looking forward to seeing you guys this evening. Reign says to tell Autumn the girls can’t wait to see her.

I took a deep breath as I read the message from my best friend again. It’s only been a few months since I saw him and his ‘legacy project’ as I liked to call his five kids in the span of 3 years. Honestly, it was no wonder he had to buy that farm just outside Charlotte to accommodate them all.

My thumbs hovered over the reply button. I should be ecstatic for him. It’s Super Bowl Sunday. The first and potentially the pinnacle of his career, but every time I wanted to be, there was that familiar twinge in my shoulder I couldn’t quite shake. It was always there but hurt a little more when I thought about things I lost.

“Everything okay in there?”

Hayden, my wife, poked her head through the bathroom door and gave me a small smile.

That smile.

The one I fell in love with when we were teens, and I haven’t wanted anyone since. I’d never get enough of her. The way she laughed, the way she smiled. The way all she had to do was look at me and she’d know exactly what I was thinking. Even if I didn’t want her to. Even if I’d been hiding my real thoughts about seeing the rest of my roommates tonight.

“Woah, wait.”

She paused before taking me in. “Is that what you're wearing?”

I adjusted my tie and looked down, happy there were no crinkles in my freshly pressed dress shirt and khakis. “Yeah?”

Her lips pressed together as she stepped into my space to toy with my tie. “As much as I like this teacher version of you,”

she said as she pulled me into a long, lingering kiss. Then she backed away and rested her forehead against mine. “We’re going to the Super Bowl, not your first day at Rome U. You should be wearing jeans and a jersey. You’ll be a crinkled mess after our two-hour drive.”

“I Just want to make a good impression,”

I said as she started to loosen my tie.

“To who? Aiden? That guy doesn’t care about making a good impression on anyone.”

“If he hadn’t removed your mask in our Halloween party, then we would’ve never reconnected,”

I pointed out because although Aiden had his faults, he was a pretty decent guy if he cared about you. He just had a weird way of showing it.

Hayden tilted her head back and laughed, one of my favorite things to listen to. Before we got together, it would be a rarity to hear it, but now, I heard it all the time, and I still considered it was one of my best accomplishments in life.

“I think you’re giving that sex-crazed buffoon a little too much credit. We actually reconnected when I spilled coffee on myself and you in class. Do you remember?”

She looked up to the ceiling. “Oh, and even if that hadn’t happened, you did date my roommate.”

“Yeah, but dating Britt just made me realize what I was actually looking for.”

I leaned in closer, lowering my voice. “You. It was always you.”

“Smooth talk, Mr. Hartley,”

she said, pulling my tie off. “But that doesn’t mean I’m going to let you wear this to the Super Bowl.”

When she started to unbutton my shirt, I hummed out with approval. “As much as I’d love to have some fun with you right now, our daughter is downstairs, and your brother is coming over any minute. I don’t want to scar either of them with our escapades.”

I wiggled my brows, and she shook her head and finished unbuttoning my shirt.

“Oh, please.”

She playfully whacked my chest before walking into the closet and coming back with a Crossbills jersey in her hand.

“Really? You want me to wear Devin’s name on my back?”

“Yeah. Everyone else will be wearing it and knowing Jackson, he’ll probably have face paint on.”

I stared at the jersey and all the implications behind it. Wearing someone else’s name because I couldn’t get there myself. Because the NFL dropped me. My team lost faith after two years on the injured list, and no one else wanted to pick me up. I couldn’t blame them. What was I bringing to the table except an injured shoulder and a place on the bench?

“Come on, A. You’re the new offensive coordinator at Rome University. You’ve got nothing to prove to anyone.”

She was right. Should’ve known I couldn’t hide anything from her. It might’ve taken my wife years to figure out that I was always in love with her in high school, but we’d been inseparable ever since the last year of college, and I didn’t have to say a thing anymore. She knew how I felt about football. The love, hate, the push pull. As much as I wanted to take time away from it, it seemed life always had different plans.

When I left the NFL, I started to work at a local high school in Charlotte. After a couple of years, I helped them bring home a State Championship win for the football team. That was what really put me on the radar of the colleges. Rome U offered me the best package with a guidance counselor job for Hayden. It was a fresh start, and although it uprooted us from North Carolina, it was the chance to build something new. I had to admit; it felt like the universe was finally throwing us a bone after years of setbacks.

“I just want to make a good impression,”

I said softly, because the truth was a little harder to admit. I was happy for Devin and Tanner. Truly. They were both amazing players and deserved to be there, and I even felt like they had a serious chance of beating the formidable Rattlesnakes. It was just a hard pill to swallow in my life, knowing my athletic career came to a resounding end before I could ever play in something like that.

“There are going to be a lot of people there, potentially the University president and maybe some boosters,”

I said, trying to justify myself.

“And you think they’re going to want to talk to you about funding when they’ve probably paid an extortionate amount of money to watch the game?”

She smiled. “Look, if this makes you feel better, keep the shirt. Lose the tie. And maybe throw a casual jacket over it instead of the suit coat you have no doubt planned?”

It was a reasonable compromise, so I nodded, buttoning the shirt back up. “How's Autumn doing with her project?”

“Almost done. She's very concerned about the ratio of purple to pink glitter, but I think we've reached an acceptable balance.”

Hayden leaned against the dresser as she watched me adjust my outfit. “Darren should be here in fifteen minutes.”

I glanced at my watch with a smirk. “Do you think he'll be on time?”

“Of course. He wants all the Super Bowl gossip from his favorite brother-in-law.”

Hayden’s eyes took me in, a look that I felt deep in my chest, and wondered why I tortured myself over things I couldn’t change. She was what my life was really about. Not the glitz and money that come with a football contract. She’d never stopped believing in me, and Autumn didn't care if her daddy was a football star or a coach or anything else as long as I read her three bedtime stories every night.

“I'll go check on Autumn,”

I said, placing a quick kiss on Hayden's forehead.

“And I'll make sure we've got everything packed. The overnight bag is in the car already,”

she said, heading toward our bedroom.

I made my way downstairs, each step lighter than the one before. Our home wasn't extravagant. A far cry from Devin’s farm, but it was moderately sized, practical and warm. I loved it, because it had everything we needed and nothing we didn’t.

Autumn was sitting at the kitchen table with her tongue poking out in concentration as she applied glitter to a purple crown. At just four, she was the perfect blend of Hayden and me. My stubborn focus and Hayden’s thoughtfulness.

“How’s it coming along, Little One?”

I asked, leaning over to inspect her work. The countertop was covered in glue and glitter, but she was smiling with so much enthusiasm that I didn’t care.

She grappled with one of the crowns, doing her best to pull it off the counter, which was proving difficult. Even though it was soggy and broken in places, she hardly noticed. “I made it for Laney and Georgia,”

she explained without looking up. “Since their daddy is playing in the Super Bowl, they should have crowns. I made ones for the boys too, but they’re blue.”

My chest tightened as I watched my beautiful blonde girl with the heart of gold, and of course she would be thinking of Devin’s kids. Her best friends until we moved a few months ago. I knew she missed them and part of me wanted to take her today, but I didn’t want the crowd to scare her.

I brushed a strand of hair from her face, marveling at the thoughtful and compassionate person she was becoming.

When the doorbell rang, Autumn jumped out of her seat and bounded toward the door, crying, “Uncle Darren’s here!”

“Let me get it,”

I said, but she’d already beaten me to the door.

When I opened it, Hayden’s brother side-stepped me, crouching to see my daughter first. “There’s my favorite niece!”

he exclaimed as Autumn fell into his arms, giggling as he picked her up and spun her around. When he set her down, he looked up at me with his trademark smirk firmly in place.

“Are you going to a football game or making up for the fact you made my sister go to prom with that douchebag Jarod?”

I grumbled softly. To this day her brother still wouldn’t let me live that down, and I was glad about it. It served as a reminder that if I wasn’t such an insecure idiot in high school, a lot of things would be different. Maybe Hayden wouldn’t have gone to Southern Collegiate. Maybe I wouldn’t have a shoulder injury. Maybe we’d be living in a huge mansion, but living in maybes meant I didn’t enjoy what I had, which wasn’t the case.

“Nice to see you too, Dare,”

I said, rolling my eyes. “Thanks for watching Autumn.”

“Please, like it’s a hardship spending time with the coolest kid in Georgia.”

He ruffled Autumn’s hair. I guessed that was one good thing about moving states, we were now closer to Hayden’s brother, although I wasn’t sure how much he’d like it when I started my job at his college. Technically, I wouldn’t be bossing him around, but I’d be close, watching the teams develop and ensuring our facilities were just right.

Darren leaned in as Autumn skipped past us into the kitchen. “Any chance you could try to slip Bailey Hill my number?”

“Bailey Hill?”

Hayden laughed as she came down the stairs with her purse over her shoulder. Unlike me, she looked like a true Crossbills fan with her jeans and jersey on, only serving to make me look like a mid-level accountant. “Like you have a chance with her.”

He raised his hands, looking between us with mock disgust. The issue with Darren was, he was hard to take seriously because he was such a goofball. With the slight dusting of freckles across his nose and spiked blond hair, he gave off more of a mischievous kid vibe instead of a serious college student who had the chance to be drafted as a second baseman. “Hey, I hear she likes athletes. Would love to show her how to play with my baseballs.”

My eyes immediately flicked to Hayden who cringed. “I can’t believe you just said that in front of my child.”

Thankfully, Autumn was blissfully unaware of our conversation. She was too busy adding more glitter to one of her crowns.

“Sorry, sis, but I need something to do. My boy Jett is getting a little too cozy with that pitcher phenom of his, leaving me to watch more Bailey Hill tour videos than is probably considered healthy. You know it’s bad when you wake up in the morning just to see what color body suit she decided to wear last night. Red, by the way. She wore red last night.”

“Wait, are you talking about the girl who throws 95 mph fastballs?”

I asked, remembering the student everyone had mentioned during my interviews with the college. “The one who’s taking college baseball by storm?”

“The very one. Mark my words, Rhode Grissom is going to be the first female pitcher in the MLB. I have to keep telling Jett all the time, you’re supposed to catch your balls, not let your pitcher own them.”

“Maybe he should kiss her,”

Autumn said matter-of-factly, still looking at her artwork.

“Out of the mouths of babes,”

Darren said with a laugh. “That’s exactly what I told him. But you know how it is in sports—business first, heart eyes second.”

I exchanged a glance with Hayden, who raised an eyebrow in silent communication. It was time for us to go before Darren's gossip session got fully underway. The guy was like the brother I never had, but my goodness, he could talk.

“Alright, well, I guess we should hit the road,”

I said, checking my watch. “Traffic's going to be a nightmare around central Atlanta. Could take an hour once we’re there.”

“Autumn, we're leaving now,”

Hayden said, kneeling to hug our daughter. “Be good for Uncle Darren, okay? We'll call before bedtime.”

“Are you still bringing Laney and Georgia home with you?”

Autumn asked, looking up from her art project with hopeful eyes.

“Yes. Aunt Reign and Uncle Devin are going to stay over for the night before heading back to Charlotte.”

“Can I speak to them now? I need to show them the crowns.”

I hesitated for all of two seconds.

“Let me call Aunt Reign as see if she’s with the kids.”

Autumn squealed and I ignored Hayden shaking her head beside me. Autumn was my kryptonite. I knew that, and I was pretty sure everyone else did too.

After a few rings, Reign’s face filled the screen.

“Adam!”

She wasn’t looking at the screen, but at something above it. “Cole, put that down,”

she said before bringing her attention back to me. “How are you? Kyle, watch out.”

“I’m good. We were just about to leave, but Autumn wanted to show the kids something really quick.”

“Aw, did she? Hold on.”

She covered the phone before shouting her kids' names. “Gather around, Uncle Adam’s on the phone and Autumn wants to show you something.”

I handed the phone to Autumn, whose face lit up as she launched into an enthusiastic description of the crowns she made. I couldn't make out what the Walker kids were saying, but from Autumn's animated responses, they seemed equally excited.

When she finally handed the phone back, Reign came back on the line.

“She is just the sweetest,”

Reign said. Her eyes were welling as she offered me a small smile. “I can’t wait to see you guys. It feels like it’s been so long.”

“It’s only been a few weeks,”

I reminded her.

“In kid time, that's forever. Besides, I miss Hayden. I need adult conversation that doesn't revolve around dinosaurs or potty training.”

I laughed, hearing the familiar chaos of her household in the background, only this time I could imagine it was ten times worse for her since they were trying to survive in a hotel. “We'll see you tonight. Looking forward to talking football with Jace.”

I can’t wait,”

she said. “Devin has started his pre-game routine, only now it feels like it’s on steroids. He keeps pacing around like a caged animal, and I swear, if game time doesn't come soon, he's going to wear a hole in the hotel carpet.”

“Tell him to breathe,”

I said, remembering that pre-game anxiety all too well. “He's got this.”

“I know. But try telling him that.”

There was genuine pride in her voice, and despite everything, I felt it too. After everything he’d been through with his dad and sister, he deserved everything coming his way, which was hopefully a Super Bowl win. “Gotta go—Kyle just put something in the toilet that definitely doesn't belong there. See you tonight!”

The call ended abruptly and I was left with a strange mix of emotions. Ones I couldn’t sit on for too long because a message from Aiden popped up.

Aiden: Hey Beta! Are you still planning on getting there at 6pm? Our flight lands at 5 and I don’t want to have to spend more time with these people without you than I have to. You’re a good buffer.

His message made me snort. Same old Aiden. He was never one to sugarcoat anything or self-censor and as arrogant and frustrating as he seemed; he was always entertaining.

“Let me guess, the charming Mr. Matthews?”

Hayden asked, reading my expression.

“The one and only,”

I confirmed, showing her the message.

“I honestly thought Alyssa would soften him up since she’s all unicorns and rainbows. Are they engaged yet?”

“Nope. She’s still his girlfriend.”

Much to Aiden’s chagrin, Lyss still hadn’t let him put a ring on it. I had no idea why. She’d suffered this many years with him; she might as well get something out of it. Like his inheritance.

“Unicorns and rainbows?”

Autumn said with a smile on her face. “Does she have a unicorn?”

“I’m not sure, sweetie.”

Hayden walked over to our daughter and stroked her back. “I’ll ask and let you know when we’re back.”

“Autumn, we're leaving now. Can I have a hug?”

Our daughter abandoned her glitter project to launch herself into my arms. I held her tight, inhaling the scent of strawberry shampoo and craft glue. “Be good, okay? We'll bring you back something cool.”

“Like a football signed by Uncle Devin?”

she asked hopefully.

“If his team wins, I'll make sure of it,”

I promised, though I know Devin would do it either way.

After one more round of goodbyes, Hayden and I were finally in the car, heading toward Atlanta and the biggest game of Devin’s career. As I merged onto the highway, Hayden reached over and placed her hand on my knee.

“You okay?”

she asked softly.

“Yeah,”

I said, and for the first time in a long time, I meant it. “I really am.”