Page 21 of The Throwback

“It’s been a great season, boys,” Tanner says into the huddle. “The year has been full of ups, downs, injuries and losses—all of which brought us right here. I’ve watched you come together as brothers, week after week, never giving less than your best. I’m proud to be your captain, win or lose.

“This next play is a big one for our man, Becks,” he says, looking over to Blaze with a knowing smile. “He’s got a pretty big question for that pretty sideline reporter over there, but he can only do it if he wins MVP and gets the interview with her. What do you say, guys? Can we help him out?”

“Fuck yeah, we can,” I say, nodding. “What’s the play, Cap?” I don’t think any of us are surprised that he’s finally popping the question to Mads, since they’ve been together for a while now. I never really paid attention to stuff like that before. I’m always happy for my teammates when they fall in love, but now I understand how monumental this kind of happiness really is. Bailey and I may have only just reconnected a week ago, but I’m already so full of hope that one day it’ll be me taking a knee and asking her to be my wife. It won’t be today, and it won’t be tomorrow, but when we’re ready, I know we could build an amazing life together.

“Twenty-two, flood right on three. Everybody good with that?” he asks, and we all agree. It’s a long pass, so we have to hit our blocks to give Blaze enough time to get downfield before Tanner sends the ball his way. We’re already up by a touchdown with just under two minutes on the clock, but that’s plenty of time for the Graywolves to make a move if we fuck it up here. As long as we all do our jobs, we can pretty much guarantee the victory with this play.

“Alright. Let’s fucking go!” We all clap in unison before heading to the line, readying ourselves to make history. This would be the team’s first back-to-backchampionship, and I can’t wait to be a part of it. Knowing that I get to hold Bailey while I celebrate is going to be the cherry on top.

“Fifty-two’s the Mike!” Tanner yells, alerting us to which linebacker may be trying to blitz. We need to be aware of the defense’s plan in order to let the play develop. If someone gets through, there won’t be time for Blaze to shake his coverage and get open. We have to be perfect here. “Blue forty-two! Blue forty-two! Hut, hut, hut!”

Our center snaps the ball, and the linebacker opposite me makes his move, attempting to power through. He’s bigger than me, but I plant my hands on his pads and push with everything left in the tank as the receivers take off on their routes. I hold the block as long as I can, but my guy rolls off me, heading straight to where Tanner stands with his eyes on his target. Just as he’s about to get hit, he fires the ball downfield. Holding my breath, I stand there helpless as it sails about forty yards, landing into the wide-open hands of Blaze. Their best safety left the game in the second quarter with an ankle injury, and their backup is no match for the fastest receiver in the league. Beckham jukes right past him, closing the final twenty yards before breaking the plane of the end zone. The entire stadium goes wild—both in celebration and furious roars—that the fate of the game has been sealed.

We take our time celebrating before the special teams unit heads onto the field to do their thing. Four short plays later, we've stopped them from getting a first down and won our second Super Bowl in a row.

Blue and white confetti rains down onto the field as I scan the crowd for the only person I’m concerned about seeing right now. Last year was amazing, but there was an empty space in my heart, knowing that my parents would never be able to celebrate with me. My aunt and uncle have always been supportive, but it’s rare for them to actually come watch me play. Knowing that I get to share this experience with Bailey means everything to me.

“Jett!” she yells, making me whip around just in time to drop my helmet and catch her as she launches herself into my arms. “You were amazing! I’m so proud of you!” I lift her up high and she squeals with delight before I slide her down my body, tightening my hold around her waist as I press my lips to hers. I take it all in: her words, her laugh, my jersey on her gorgeous body, the way she feels against me in this moment of triumph. I never realized how much I was missing out on until this exact second. She makes my life feelcomplete—like I have everything I could ever want and more.

“I’m so fucking glad you’re here, Bay,” I say against her mouth. “Come to Vegas with me. Our time doesn’t have to be up yet.” I’m hoping our time is never up, but that’s a conversation for later. For now, I just want this week to go on a little longer. Tanner already told me to invite her to the wedding, and I can’t think of anything I want more than for her to say yes. I just hope she doesn’t make me get on my knees and beg in front of all these people.

She pulls back, playfully rolling her eyes. “I already promised Grace I’d go. She wants me to do her makeup for the ceremony and gave me the most epic guilt trip about looking ugly in photos and ruining all her beautiful memories. That girl is a handful.” She giggles. “So, you’re stuck with me for another day or two.”

“Oh, damn,” I reply sarcastically. “How will I survive with such a needy pussy to please around the clock? What a hardship.”

She slaps my shoulder, which is still covered by my thick pads, and I bark a laugh in response. Out of the corner of my eye, I see the commissioner emerge from the crowd with the Lombardi Trophy, so I lean down and press another quick kiss to her lips.

“Find the girls and I’ll see you outside the locker room. We have some interviews to do, then we’ll head straight to the airport. Buckle up, baby. It’s going to be a wild night,” I tell her, wiggling my eyebrows mischievously. She rewards me with a sweet smile as Iturn back toward the team to claim our prize. As excited as I am to hoist that piece of metal to the sky with my brothers, all I can think about is heading to Sin City and making Bailey mine for good.

THIRTEEN

BAILEY

“I can’t stop crying,”Grace whines as I blot her cheek with a tissue. I’m trying my best to keep her makeup intact, but it’s a challenge with how emotional she already is. I don’t blame her though. I’ve been filled in on her history with Tanner, and how up until last summer, she never dreamed she’d be able to call him her husband. Now, she’s literally minutes away from doing just that.

“It’s no big deal,” I tell her. “This foundation is meant to last all day, even through sweat and tears. And I used a waterproof mascara. It’s not going anywhere.”

She sniffs, giving me a grateful smile. “I’m glad you’re here.”

“Me too,” I reply, leaning in and wrapping her in a hug. “If you’re ready, I’ll let them know. If not, Dia has a car waiting out back.” I point a thumb over my shoulder in an attempt to lighten the mood. It works, thankfully, and she laughs before her expression softens.

“I’ve wanted to marry Tanner Lake since I was a little girl. There isn’t anything that could stop me from walking down that aisle tonight.”

I nod. “Alright, then. I’ll go get your dad.”

I head out of the room, trying my best to stay quiet when I see Grace’s brother, Riggs, on a FaceTime call. The woman on the other end is crying as he tries to console her.

“Monroe, you’re not a bad friend because you can’t be here. She understands,” he says. “You work your ass off, and you agreed to cover mornings at the boutique so Grace didn’t have to rush home. The only reason she’s even here marrying this asshole is because of you. So stop crying. I don’t want my date looking all blotchy.”

She scoffs loudly. “I’m not your date, Riggs. You’re the best man. I’m the maid of honor. That’s it.”

“Yeah,” he grunts. “Well you’re the closest thing I’ll ever get to being at a wedding with someone, so why don’t you dry it up and we’ll get through this together. Sound good, Mayhem?”

“Yeah, sounds good,” she replies.

Everyone says he’s a jerk, but that was kind of sweet.

I tiptoe past, telling Grace’s dad that she’s ready for him before finding my seat next to Jett. He looks amazing in his dress clothes, and my mouth waters in anticipation of what could happen after we leave here tonight. He said he wanted me to be completely sure before we had sex because he didn’t plan on letting me go after. I don’t exactly know what that entails, but itdoesn’t matter. I want him for longer than just this week or this trip. We’ll figure out what that looks like for us later.

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