Page 50 of Write Me For You

Jesse

Jesse and June’s Happily Ever After

I walked into the familiar locker room and made my way to my cubby. I put my hand on my number and surname on my jersey. I closed my eyes and exhaled deeply.

I was back.

After months of training and building back up my strength, I was here…

again. I glanced down at the tattoo on my wedding finger and smiled.

June and I had been married now for months.

Just like we’d wanted, we had been married four days after I proposed, in the hospital chapel.

Chris and Emma were our witnesses. We would have done it sooner, but for law making us wait three days before we could.

Then this summer, we’d had a bigger ceremony in the backyard of June’s childhood home.

Mr. Scott wanted to walk June down the aisle, and we wanted to give him that dream too.

She’d worn a vintage lace wedding dress patterned with feathers.

Chris was my best man, and Emma was June’s maid of honor. It couldn’t have been more perfect.

When we had returned to campus, we got a place in the married couple housing. To come home to my Junebug, my wife, every night was everything I had ever wished for.

Now I was back with my team and fully in remission.

And I was determined, after two battles with AML, that I was done once and for all with cancer and would live my life with my Junebug.

A little life, as she said. Although, with her bestselling book now published in bookstores and more deals on the way, my wife fought hard to keep our circle small and our life as calm as she could.

And most importantly, we were happy. Happier than I’d thought ever we could be.

“Right, suit up!” Coach called, and I snapped myself out of my thoughts.

“He’s back, baby!” Sheridan said and jumped on my back—I was less breakable these days.

I shrugged him off, laughing, and began to dress for the game.

I could hear the crowd stamping their feet above.

The place was bouncing. The first game of the season was in full effect.

I looked up at the ceiling and felt calmer knowing that June was up there.

My wife was in the stands, waiting for me to run onto the field.

And tonight, I was starting. A hard preseason had seen me winning back my position as first-string QB. No cancer, no fear—I was only looking up and forward from here on out.

After we’d changed into our uniforms, we lined up in the tunnel. I kept a tight hold on my helmet and bounced on my feet. Then the announcer called us onto the field, and I ran out first.

With my helmet in the air, I waved to the crowd, then looked up at the only person I wanted to see. Even among the thousands of fans, I found June easily—she was standing with her hand in the air, pointing at my heart on her palm. I did the same, then kissed the tattooed ring on my left hand.

June grinned and blew me a kiss. I caught that kiss and threw her a wink. Then, turning back to my team, I put on my helmet and began to live out our perfect, little piece of forever.