Page 176 of Too Far

“Hi, Coach,” I singsong.

Decker scowls in reply. He rounds the seats, and when he’s before me, he crouches low. “You know you’re not supposed to be on your feet. You promised you wouldbehave, Siren.”

He places his palms on my upper thighs, smoothing over the scratchy fabric of my maternity jeans. I wish I could throw these suckers in the lake most days, but I do appreciate the way the stretchy waistband panel accommodates all the stadium snacks I’ve indulged in this afternoon.

“You’re a buzzkill,” I accuse.

“I am your partner, and I love you,” he counters. Then, softer he adds, “I just want what’s best for you and the baby, Siren. You know that.”

“Kendrick scored a touchdown,” I reason.

“Believe me,” Decker chortles. “I know.”

I fight back a grin. Decker’s team is probably going to lose to the South Carolina Cougars today, and we both know it. It won’t be the first time Kendrick’s team has come out on top. In fact, the Cougars have beat Atlanta four years in a row now, much to Decker’s chagrin.

“What if you stand behind me? I could lean against you. That way, I wouldn’t be bearing all my own weight.”

“Josephine…”

“Decker,” I mock.

“I only have a few minutes.” Relenting, he rises to his feet and hauls me up to standing.

Once I’m steady, I wrap my arms around his shoulders the best I can and give him a quick kiss. “I don’t need a few minutes, Coach. All I need is one.”

A smile tugs at the corner of his mouth. “One minute, huh?”

We situate ourselves so Decker is holding me from behind and supporting my weight. Special teams are on the field now as his team prepares to take possession. How he was able to sneak up here, I have no idea.

Caressing his fingers, I crane back to look him in the eye. “Do you miss it?”

“Every damn day,” he replies with a sigh.

I ghost my fingers over the backs of his hands, silently honoring his loss and appreciating the vulnerability he shows me without hesitation. Decker loves football. He was made for this game. Although he finds joy in coaching, I know his heart still yearns to be on the field.

“Do you regret it?”

He sacrificed so much. For me. For our family. I love our life, and he does too. His life now, though, doesn’t look anything like the dreams he once held.

“Not even for one second,” he says, his tone strong, confident. “It was never going to be just football. I realize that now. My name… my dad’s legacy… I never would have been in a position to just play the game. There would always be strings attached.”

I sigh, acknowledging the truth behind his wisdom.

“Besides… this?” He brushes our joined hands over my belly. “This life is so much fuller and richer than anything I let myself dream of before you. All of this is so fucking worth it.”

I melt into his confession, but quickly stiffen when he goes rigid behind me.

“Holy shit,” he murmurs. “Hellyes!”

We watch with bated breath as one of his receivers flies down the field… farther… faster… and runs into the end zone for a ninety-five-yard touchdown on the kickoff return.

Decker spins me around, kisses me quickly, flips the mic of his headset down, and guides me back to my seat.

“Watch her,” he hollers to Kylian as he gives me one more peck. “I love you, Siren,” he declares, “but I’ve gotta go. We’re not out of this game yet!”

I grin at the sight of him sprinting from the room.

My smile widens even more as I play back his words in my mind:so fucking worth it.