Page 55 of Chasing Football Dreams

"That sounds good,"

She failed at smiling as the tears put a quiver in her lips. "I will see you out there," She walked away but I couldn't let her.

"Mom," The words felt weird to speak.

Her shoulders even jumped at the weirdness. Her eyes were big and round when she turned around.

"I'm sorry if you don't want me to call you..." I couldn't finish my sentence as she embraced me with a hug.

I wound my arms around her shoulders, letting the pinned-up emotions fall. I was allowed to cry for all the years I was left to believe that I had no parents. I was taken away from my family. Sold by a selfish man.

"Hey, we are waiting for you..." Shane's voice drifted down the hall coming to a halt when he saw us wrapped in each other's arms.

"Sorry, it wasn't my intention to make her late," Angela apologized pulling away from me and wiping away her tears.

"I just wanted to wish her good luck," Shane's gaze softened at his wife's tears. He brushed his hands down her jaw and pinched her cheek softly. She stepped into his arms as he smiled at her.

He winked at me. "The team is waiting for you,"

I nodded grabbed my gear and headed to their locker room meeting the gazes of my team. Duncan quirked an eyebrow when he noticed I wasn't wearing my shoulder gear.

"Sorry, I am late," I apologized to the coaches.

I sat beside Duncan letting him help me with my gear while we went over our game plan. The time ran out and before we could wipe our eyes, we were jogging out on the field in front of hundreds if not thousands of spectators.

My heart was drumming against my ribcage with a mixture of excitement and agitation. This was it. I was where I'd always dreamt about.

There was a time when I believed God skipped my Wishlist and ignored my prayers. Miracles still happen even if it feels like they are never going to happen.

"How are you feeling?" Duncan asked, meeting me at the huddle.

"Surprisingly well," I answered with a smile. "A bit nervous but it will probably vanish at kick-off,"

"You do know that I am proud of you,"

"Why? Because I am keeping calm?"

He chuckled. "No, babe. Because even though the world took a hit at you, you never stayed down or let it shape you. Here you are leading a team of guys even when other teams were pushing back,"

"I was lucky enough to find 50 guys who were willing to give me a chance,"

"Zoey. You are a strong woman with a strong-willed mind. You got here because you were meant to be here,"

Our team has huddled in a circle around us. Everyone nodded at me in agreement.

We headed to the sideline to meet with our coaches one last time before kickoff. "I've stood with many of you at this moment. Won three championships. Today, it's some of your first time standing here," A lot of gazes shifted around, looking at each other until a few of them landed on me.

"We've had quite the memorable season," He referred to Shane joining us.

He then looked at me. "One player that brought a new spark to our sport,"

"We've got four quarters to bring the championship home,"

"The game doesn't stop until the last whistle blows," Shane interrupted.

"You've got what it takes to win today,"

"One last time, warriors," Shane brought in his hand motioning for us to bring in our hands.

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