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Bo calls another play—for him to make a long pass to Casey and get him in for the touchdown.

But once the ball is snapped, their defense reads the play, and Casey is covered so there’s no way he can get the ball.

With no other options, Bo runs through an opening in the line and takes off down the field, giving us our first touchdown of the game.

We go on and off the field with little progress in the game the rest of the first quarter.

But in the second quarter, Casey catches a rocket from Bo and runs it in for another touchdown, giving us the lead by one touchdown.

During that play, Wilson tried and failed to lay me out.

“Fifty-six, you gonna take me out? You’ve been giving me more hugs than my girlfriend gives me. Hey, I know it’s hard, but you signed up for this.”

He shakes his head at me and turns to walk off the field. But I point at him and look at his teammates.

“Hey, you guys might want to try somebody else at left tackle. Son, you gotta do better than this.” And then I jog off the field, laughing. I fucking love this game.

After halftime, the game moves fast. We’re now in the final seconds of the game and losing—twenty-eight to twenty-four. We need one more touchdown to win.

We’re bloody, tired, and ready to take this game. We won’t give up. We came to win.

Bo calls a swing pass that will give Beck the ball, which means it’s my job to seal the outside of the D end in order for it to work.

“Okay, boys, this is ours! Let’s finish this now! We won’t need a fourth down! All right, trips right, two swings, X left, shotgun, on one!” Bo claps once.

I see the Bulls shift into a blitz, which is what we want in order for our play to work.

Bo calls, “SET,” and I start to move with my line into pass blocking before shifting to the right to zone block.

The ball is tossed to Beck, and he runs down the field and right into the end zone. I push off the defensive player and jump back.

“Help is on the way, boys! Don’t you worry; help is on the way!”

Then I run my ass down to the end zone to celebrate with my team, tossing my helmet off along the way.

When I reach Beck, I lift him up, and we’re all cheering, screaming, jumping up and down. Helmets flying, guys crying, and then fans start rushing the field.

After that, everything feels like it happens so fast. We’re gathered to go to the stage where the trophy presentation will be. Because I’m one of the captains, I jump up onto the stage. We’ve been given hats and shirts to wear.

I haven’t been able to find my parents and brothers yet, but I’m sure they’re making their way onto the field.

Coach comes over to me and hugs me. “We fucking did it, Griff!”

“Hell yeah, we did, Coach! Let’s go, baby!” I lift him in a bear hug, and he just laughs until I put him down.

The presentation starts, and I finally spot my family to the left of the stage, all smiles and yelling my name. Mama has tears in her eyes, and she’s holding on to my dad. I wish Emma were here to see this too. I want to share all of these moments with her.

I’m awarded the Offensive MVP of the game. After I get my trophy, I find my teammates and point to them, then tap my chest. I love these guys. They’ve been like family to me.

When the presentation ends, I’m directed to a few reporters for interviews. Once I’m done, I make my way over to my family, waiting by the exit.

I run up to my mom and lift her up into a hug. “We did it, Mama!”

She’s laughing and crying. Then I set her down, and she cups my face with her hands.

“We are so proud of you, Archie! You were amazing out there today.”

Dad works his way in and wraps me in a hug. “So proud of you, son!”

Then each of my brothers hugs and congratulates me.

“I need to go get cleaned up, and then I think the team is having a banquet or something at our hotel. The families are invited, so y’all head that way, and I’ll meet you there.”

“Okay, we’ll meet you there then. Love you so much, Archie!” Mama gives me another hug.

Then I turn and wave at them one last time before I head into the tunnel that takes me to the locker room.

When I get in there, there’s beer, champagne, music blasting. It’s like a party in here, and I fucking love it!

Tempting my fate by pulling my phone out of my locker to take pictures with my team and record some video, I see a text message from Emma, saying congratulations, but I can’t see the whole message because Pitz dumps a beer over my head.

After about thirty minutes or so, Coach tells us to get cleaned up so we can head back to the hotel for the banquet. We all shower, pack up, and head to the bus.

Once I settle in my seat, I pull my phone back out and open Emma’s text.

Emma: Congratulations, Arch! I’m so fucking proud of you!

*picture of her in her jersey*

Emma: Call me as soon as you can!

Archie: Hey, darlin’. You still up? We just got on the bus.

My phone rings, and I see Emma’s name on the screen. I’m sitting alone right now, and the team is still loud, so no one is paying attention to me.

“Hey, baby. I didn’t wake you, did I?”

“Hey, no, not at all. I’ve been waiting for you to call. I did something crazy.”

“Crazier than that time I caught you talkin’ to the toaster and chanting, ‘Come on, toaster. I know you can do it’?”

“How embarrassing. I was late to class and needed to get some food in my belly. I thought you were still asleep.”

“I was hovering in the corner, waiting to see which inanimate object you’d talk to next.”

Her laugh echoes through the phone, and I find I’m smiling like a fool, just listening to her.

“God, I miss you.”

“Well, that’s good to hear because … I’m actually here!” she squeals.

“You’re here ? As in here in Miami here?”

“I couldn’t get a room at the hotel you’re in, but I’m, like, one block away. I know you have some stuff to do with the team, but if you can sneak over after, I would love to celebrate with you!”

“Are you serious? Why didn’t you tell me? I would have gotten you seats with the families of the team.”

“It was a last-minute decision, and I didn’t want to ruin any game-day rituals you have. You get all caveman when I’m around, and I knew you’d be focused on where I was sitting and if I was okay?—”

“I can’t believe you came to Miami.”

“It was weird. I was sitting in my parents’ house and telling them about your big game when it dawned on me that I should be with you. I’ve never done anything spontaneous like this. Ever. ”

“Ever?” I ask her, knowing full well there was a time a few short months ago when she was very spontaneous.

“Okay, well, not hop-on-a-flight-to-Miami spontaneous.”

“Darlin’, you just made my day ten times better than it already was!” I laugh.

She giggles. “Well, I’m glad. I wanted to be here for you. This is a big deal, and I couldn’t miss it or the chance to wear your jersey at an actual game.”

“Fuck me. I can’t wait to see you in it.”

“I sent you a picture. Did you get it?”

“Not the same. Not the same at all.”

“Okay, well, lucky for you, you’ll get to see it in person! Do you know what time you can come over, or do you want me to meet you somewhere? Livi and Mia are here with me, but they have their own room. They’re planning on heading out to the bars soon.”

“Fuck. There’s an event when we get back to the hotel.

I wish you could come with me; it’s for the team and our families.

I had to give them a list beforehand, but I’m sure I could add you on if you want to come.

I would love it if you did. My entire family is here, and my parents got a suite.

We plan to head back to their room after the dinner event thing.

I would really like for you to meet them. ”

“I definitely want to meet your parents. Why don’t you go to the banquet and I can meet you all after? Does that work?”

“Really? You’ll come meet them? My mom is going to lose it. I apologize in advance for any smothering or my crazy brothers.”

“Why don’t you celebrate with your team for a bit? While the girls get ready to go, I’m gonna rest first because the travel and the excitement of the game was a lot. But I can’t wait to meet your family. And, Archie, I’m so excited for you! I’m glad I could get here to see it.”

“Me too, darlin’. I’ll just text you when we’re wrapping up. ”

“Sounds good to me. I’ll be waiting.” She makes a kiss sound and disconnects.

The next few hours are going to be brutal. I want to see my family and spend time with the team, but I really want to go see my girl too.

She’s become the person I want to share all of these big moments with, as well as the little ones. And I can’t wait to see her in my jersey, my baby in her belly … yeah, this night needs to end fast.