Page 61 of Unrivaled Love (D.C. Renegades #2)

Jo

World Cup Level HAB

Holy shit we did it.

In our final game against South Korea it came down to penalty shots. My ass almost emptied itself when we got to the end of overtime tied one to one. But after five shots we had gotten four in net while they only managed three.

And now, here I am, a World Cup Champion.

Confetti sticks to my sweat covered skin and I can't hear anything over the music and the shrieks and giggles of joy coming from my teammates. We hoist the cup and it feels lighter than air.

I can't stop smiling or breaking out in spontaneous giggles. And then suddenly tears are rolling down my cheeks. It's like my body doesn't know how to process this event.

The stadium is huge and the fifty thousand capacity was met for sure. It's an impossible task to find my family in the stands but I'm hoping I can catch them.

And Bryson. A part of me is sad we weren't together, or even friends, when he won it all last year. To be able to share this with him means the world to me. Was he wishing he had someone to celebrate with?

"Can you believe this?!" Keira yells at me and we wrap each other in another hug.

"No! Honestly I can't. What is happening?" I let out another laugh and she joins me. With our arms slung around each other we stand and look at the crowd who are still cheering for us twenty minutes after the final kick went in.

After the medals are awarded we take another picture and then I hear my mom calling my name. I turn and see her sprinting out of the tunnel. Her purse slapping against her leg as she crosses the distance.

I start laughing, and crying, again, and meet her halfway.

"Jo, baby! You did it! I'm so proud of you!" She says and we squeeze each other tight. Next I see my nieces and nephew running over followed by my dad, Al, Chris, and Bryson bring up the rear.

"Great game Auntie Jo!" I scoop them up in hugs. My dad hugs me around the kids and helps me peel them off after a kiss to my cheek.

Al and Chris pile on next and we sway back and forth so hard we fall over. Dad helps Al up and when I look up Bryson is standing there grinning.

"Congrats, Killer." He says and I launch myself into his arms. I wrap my legs around his waist and he holds me to him. I bury my face in his neck and let go.

All the tears come.

Relief.

Everything I had left comes pouring out.

I cry for all the effort, all the uncertainty, all the doubt. I cry for the victory.

"I did it." I whisper to him.

"Hell yeah you did."

I sniffle up a laugh.

"But if you get snot on my authentic Hamilton jersey I'm going to be pissed."

I pull back and sniffle again as I laugh. “Can't have that." I say.

"And isn't the HAB supposed to be jumping into the athlete's arms?" He asks and I shake my head in confusion.

"What? "

"Well, at the end of my game all the girls jump into the guy's arms. So it's kinda not fair I have to hold you up after your win."

"You're ridiculous."

"But am I wrong?" He states without the hint of humor to his question.

"You're not going to let this go are you?"

"No way! It's unfair. I want you to hold me and spin me around as a reward for supporting you and almost shitting my pants in the stands watching that shootout."

I slide down his body. We're the same height and he's lean but I honestly don't know if I could do it.

"You're thinking about it, aren't you?" He asks with hope in his eyes.

"If I get hurt, I'll murder you. And not in a fun way. I'll find a way to make it painful."

"That's fine. I'll take it. Okay, I'm going to get a running start." He turns and takes a few steps away from me.

I wipe my hands on my shorts and start laughing. This is insane. But it’s the kind of thing you do for the man you love.

"Ready?"

"I guess so."

He starts to run towards me and I hold out my arms to catch him. Bryson jumps up and wraps his legs halfway around me before I start to stumble backwards and he bails to take the brunt of the fall.

We roll down to the ground together and our laughter feels like butterflies fluttering around us.

Bryson stands and holds out a hand to me. I take it and let him pull me up.

"Can't say we didn't try."

"We're really good at trying." I confirm .

"I want nothing more than to keep trying with you." He says as he gently pulls my lips to his with a grip to the back of my neck. "I love you, Jo Hamilton."

"I love you too, Bryson Svoboda."

When our kiss causes my knees to sway, Bryson wraps his arm around me tighter. And in his arms I'm reminded of how deep and unconditional our love is.

Each shared moment is bittersweet with the elation of being together now and the anticipation of separating again but I've learned to stay in the present.

To cherish our stolen moments together. And I choose to believe we will find our way to the other forever.

I believe space and time peril in comparison.

Because this is our unrivaled love.