Page 12 of Game Day

My fiancée.

Soon to be my wife.

My life has gotten better over the past year, and it’s not only winning a championship with the guys I care about. It's her. Nova’s the best part of my day, one I got used to with the downtime in the off-season.

At a promotional event this summer, I caught up with another all-star who confided that his wife was leaving him. Said he realized too late that he didn’t pay enough attention to his wife.

I vow never to take mine for granted.

That’s why in the moments between practices and team meetings for the past few months, I’ve been working on a little project.

It’s taking more time than I thought, and keeping it a secret is getting harder.

My condo isn’t nearly enough for the two of us, plus when I’m away for games, Nova deserves a roof that’s hers.

I’m on a mission to find her the perfect house.

I’ve made her a silent promise that I’ll have it before we walk down the aisle. When she swears to love me forever, I want her to know how committed I already am.

Today when I called her to ask about studio space from a house my realtor was showing me, I almost let it slip.

I blame it on the traveling and lack of sleep. I’ll do better.

Waitstaff serve the first course, and before we finish our salads, the lights are dimming as the mayor rises from her seat.

"Thank you all for coming. Tonight, we're gathered here to honor our own," says the mayor. "I was elected last year and got to see the meteoric rise of this team. The Kodiaks have been a local fixture for years, but it's as if they came out of nowhere."

"If by ‘out of nowhere,’ you mean working our asses off for the last twenty years, then sure," Jay comments under his breath from beside Nova.

I resist the urge to snort.

“Now they’re about to kick off another season, carrying the weight of an entire state on their shoulders.”

Nova's hand is warm as it finds mine beneath the table.

I wish to hell we were alone right now. The feel of her in the car wasn't nearly enough.

I'm a methodical guy, and I've been thinking of all the things I'd do to her, with her, once I got back from our road trip, and?—

"Clayton Wade."

I rise from my seat to applause, nodding grudgingly at everyone in the room.

"Would you please join me?" the mayor asks.

That's when I spot the flat, square box she's holding.

Evidently, there are gifts to go with dinner.

I like being the best, but it’s enough to know I won. I don’t need to stick around for pats on the back.

But she’s waiting, and I have a feeling Nova wouldn’t much like it if I hung the mayor out to dry in her own house.

I round the table and stand next to the woman, towering over her. She doesn't seem cowed in the slightest, one thing I like about her.

"This is for your tremendous contributions to the city of Denver.” She lifts the lid to reveal an oversized gold key. "Both so far and in the future," she adds, though the crowd probably can't hear her over their applause. “Would you like to say a few words?”

I don’t do speeches. In the locker room, they’re necessary, but here it feels gratuitous.

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