Page 17 of Loving the Coach

CHAPTER 14

KATIE

SIXTEEN MONTHS LATER

I can’t believe we’ve been dating for so long. Life has gotten better and better. When Garret told Julius that we were dating and that he would leave if it meant I could keep my job, we moved in together. We couldn’t stay apart and there was no point in it, we didn’t want to.

I moved in with Garret and Caleb, but then we moved into our own place a few months ago. I can’t believe that I met up with my soulmate a second time and I know he’s not going to leave me now. I know that as I know how to breathe.

I can’t even remember a time when we weren’t together. He came home with me to visit Dean’s grave. It was an emotional day, but we did it together. I stepped back when he was talking to Dean but I heard him tell him that he promised to look after me like he told him he would. He apologised for not being there for me and told him that we still found each other.

When we went back to find Mom, she was so happy to see Garret. It helped her a lot to ask him about that night. She still drinks, but I’m more at peace with that at the moment. It’s her way of coping, she needs therapy but she has to be the one to say she wants it - right? I can’t push her and it’s not my fault she’s like that. When we left we said that we would go back once a year to see Dean on his birthday, but that was all. We’ve left that life behind and we are loving life in Hurtsboro.

When everyone found out that we were dating they were very supportive and when they realised that it wasn’t going to affect our jobs, everyone ignored it and just got on with their own jobs. It’s great to know that he’s watching me while I cheer and then I get to see him in action. Our life couldn’t be any better than it is right now.

We’ve both been working hard with the Hurtsboro Hummingbirds. We have got through to the final of the season which is so exciting. It’s my second season with Hurtsboro Hummingbirds, both Garret and I had our contracts renewed. This year we’ve made it to the Superbowl and you all know how important that is to everyone. Garret has been doing a lot of extra training with the guys and I’ve been training hard with the cheerleaders.

This is the big one. The one that I have dreamt of all my life. I remember the first time I watched the cheerleaders at the Superbowl, that was when I knew what I wanted to do. Now I’m here and the nerves are huge.

We go out for our first routine and after getting thrown in the air and being caught again we make our way back to watch the game. We have a routine at the side of the pitch for when the guys score too, so we are kept busy for the whole game.

When we win, the whole crowd goes wild. We run onto the pitch and do our winning routine. I’m so excited, this is something that will go down in Hurtsboro Hummingbirds history and I was there. I was in the thick of it.

When the guys line up in front of us I wonder what’s going on. Maybe it’s a tradition when they win the Superbowl. But when they start doing a cheer routine, I can’t help but laugh. The crowd are loving it and all of the girls in the squad are laughing. When Garret steps forward and gets down onto one knee my heart jumps into my mouth.

Everyone in the stadium goes quiet and then I can hear his voice on every speaker. The silence in the stadium is eerie after all the noise of the game. “Katie, you are my light. My life. We are soulmates and even though we were separated we found our way back to each other. We are meant to be. We are forever. I love you, Katie. With all my heart and I would love it if you would be my wife. Will you marry me, Katie?”

Everyone in the crowd is shouting “Yes, Say yes.” I smile and the girls are crowding around me, pushing me forward toward Garret.

I have tears flowing down my face and I can see on the big screen that we are being filmed and shown all over the stadium. “Don’t leave me hanging, Kitty Kat.” He looks nervous.

I fall to my knees in front of him. “Yes. Yes, I’ll marry you. I love you Garret. You are my world.” He slips a beautiful ring on my finger and kisses me as the crowd goes wild. They certainly got more than they bargained for today.

When we get back to the changing rooms, the girls are gathered around me and they are all looking at my ring. There’s lots of oohs and aahs and hugs.

“We need to celebrate,” Trixie says. “Let’s have a party.”

“Thanks girls, but I think tonight I want to be with my fiance and have our own party,” I start laughing and the girls join in.

“Okay you dirty wench, but we are having a party soon. This deserves the sort of party that lasts for days and the hangover lasts for longer.” Mindy likes to party and I know she has a thing going with Caleb. Maybe they might be next. Although she doesn’t seem like the type of girl to settle down.

After getting dressed, I leave and find Garret waiting for me. He’s leaning against the wall with one leg bent at the knee. He looks so relaxed and gorgeous. I sprint over to him and he pulls me into the biggest hug ever. He kisses me and I wonder why I ever thought it wouldn’t work and that one of us would have to give up our dream jobs. I love living with him and working with him and never want to be apart. I know that he’s going to be the best husband in the world because he loves me unconditionally as I do him.

EPILOGUE

GARRET

Five years later

Walking in the door, I’m met with the aroma of lasagna. God, I’ve missed being home. I’ve been away for the past four days with the team and I’m glad to be back. We could well be on the way to making history. Hurtsboro Hummingbirds has won the past two super bowls, we’re on our way to be the first time in the history of the NFL to win three consecutive super bowls. The team is pumped, the fans are pumped. Two weeks and we could be going down in history. Either way, we’re one of the very few teams to have won two in a row. We’re the best of the best and there’s no disputing that. As long as we bring our A game, we’ve got it in the bag.

“Hey Kitty Kat, I’m home,” I yell as I throw my bag to the ground.

Katie was a Hurtsboro cheerleader for four seasons before she retired, at the start of next season she’s taking the position of one of the cheerleading coaches for the team. We’re still going to be together. It means, when I’m away with the team, so will she be. Her, Mindy, and Trixie are still inseparable. Mindy and Caleb are together, after years of fooling around, they finally realized what they had and now they’re happier than ever.

I move through the house trying to find my wife. Everyday with her has gotten better and better. I love that woman more than I thought was possible. She’s grown in the past five years, she’s no longer that scared vulnerable girl that arrived in Hurtsboro in her place is this gorgeous, confident, vibrant woman who takes life by the horns and doesn’t let go. She’s always got a smile on her face, which makes everyone around her smile too.

I find her asleep on the sofa, her hand resting gently on the ever growing bump. Katie’s just over eight and a half months pregnant with our first child. First of many, I hope. We’re having a boy and even though we’ve not said what name we want, we both know what we want to call him. Seeing her round with my child makes me the luckiest bastard in the universe. To think I could have never had this because I walked away. I thank my lucky stars that she found her way back to me.

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