Page 71 of The Game Plan
“Let’s go,” Eli called, getting the team together. The center snapped the ball into his hands, and he tossed it to Reese, who cut to the right to dive into the end zone for the two points.
Airhorn sounds filled the field, so Reese was unable to hear anything with the noise going on.
Carter and Spenser came over to hug him, along with Eli.
“We did it!” Eli cried, “We did it!”
They filed off the field for the punting team to take over, Reese’s eyes going to the clock.
40 seconds.
He watched the punt and the fair catch, the Wolves taking over at the twenty-five-yard line. As the time ticked down, the Wolves got a first down, and Reese clutched his jersey tightly as the next round of downs started.
Chants of ‘defense’ filled the stadium, Reese even joining in on them as they watched the defense hold the Wolves to three yards on the first down.
The next play started, and Reese cried out as the pass was ruled incomplete, the ball sailing past the receiver.
The third down came, and Reese sat, then stood, then sat back down again, anxiety rushing through his body.
It felt like slow motion as he watched the play start, and the defense swarmed the pocket, crushing the offensive line as they moved to sack the Wolves quarterback, the ball popping out as he fell to the ground with a quick recovery by the Kings.
The Kings sideline swarmed the field, silver, gold, and blue confetti raining down over the team as they were declared the winners.
Reese, Spenser, Carter, and Eli fell onto the field, dropping down to make confetti angels.
“Ew,” Reese said, tugging a piece of confetti that fell into his mouth out and tossing it away, struggling with it as it stuck to his fingers.
“Winning looks good on you!”
He turned to look at the voice, his eyes falling upon Sutton, standing amongst the confetti on the field with a huge grin on her face. Closing the distance between them, he dragged her into his arms for a kiss, all the nerves rushing out as her lips met his in the most intense kiss he’d ever experienced.
“I’m so proud of you,” she said as he pulled back. “I was so nervous!”
Laughter escaped from him as he replied, “I don’t blame you. I was pretty nervous myself.”
Magnus motioned for them to gather around as they declared the Kings the winners and presented them with the large trophy, the team exploding into cheers as he lifted it high.
Reese was pulled onto the stage, along with Eli and Magnus, the three men being interviewed with the trophy. Reese pulled Sutton up onto the stage with him, joining the other families there.
His family had stayed home this year, so he waved and said hi to the cameras, thanking his family as he spoke about the game.
When he was finally free, they left the stage hand in hand.
“So,” Spenser said, coming up to them, “you got the win, how do you feel?”
“I got the win,” he said, looking around, “and I got the girl.” He looked at Sutton, her eyes sparkling with happiness. Gratitude overwhelmed him, and he squeezed her tightly. “I can’t ask for much more than that.”
He leaned down for a kiss as more confetti rained down on them, cheers surrounding them as the champions celebrated their hard-fought win.