Page 128 of The Way We Score

“What?” I yell, pulling him in for a hug. “Are you kidding me?”

He laughs, slapping my back in a tight hug. “And I was over here worried about your legacy. Fuck me.”

“Not this guy.” Ricky walks up, gripping my shoulder. “Garrett Bradford is a legend.”

Hendrix and I exchange a glance, then we both laugh, shaking Ricky’s hand and letting it be water under the bridge.

“I can’t believe you’re here, and Logan and Dylan.” I thought I couldn’t get happier, but damn, this is just what I needed.

My teammates line up to shake my hand and swap old stories from all the years we’ve played together. There’s food and drinks, and the music plays. On the televisions, they’re running highlights of all the years I was a Pirate, most of which include killer plays Logan and I pulled off together.

The time passes so fast, but it’s a great night. It’s the best party.

At one point I end up on the sofa with my siblings, thinking how good this feels and how infrequently it happens.

“When are you coming home again?” Dylan pressesHendrix. “We miss you.”

“Looks like I have a few more weddings to attend,” he teases. “But I had fun last time. What’s up with your friend Raven?”

“I’m not sure.” Dylan’s brow furrows. “I need to check on her. We kind of lost touch.”

“She was fun.” Hendrix looks around the room, his voice taking a tone I’ve never heard before. “She’s the kind of girl…”

Logan leans down, slapping my palm with his. “Get up here for the toast, big guy.”

I stand, going to where Charlie and Logan are waiting for me beside the cake table. I’m not one to get all sentimental, but these two guys have been a big part of my life for a long time.

“To the best of O-line, the best of friends, and soon to be the best dad.” Charlie holds up a glass. “Garret Bradford, the man, the bear, the legend.”

Shaking my head, I laugh as the room bursts into yells and applause.

It quiets down, and Logan adds, “To a guy I’ve always called my best friend, and now I call my brother.”

Another big cheer, and fuck, I’d better not cry.

It’s my turn, and I look around the room at the group of athletes and friends I’ve spent almost a decade of my life encouraging, working, and winning games with.

“You guys are like my family, and you know for me, that’s everything.” Tight smiles, a few nods. “I’ll always be a Pirate at heart. I’ll always be with you in spirit, and I can’t wait to see where you go from here.”

“To Garrett.” Charlie holds up his glass, and as we all toast, I see this chapter close.

I’m leaving on a high I never imagined, but it’s been a great part of my life. If I were going to leave the game for my wife and daughter, I’m really thankful I had the gift of leaving them with a smile.

29

Olivia

Garrett is on the bar in his blond wig, dancing with Craig to “Work It” by Missy Elliot as the line of Thursday Night Dare customers slowly makes their way to the front. Tonight, Dylan’s testing out one of her honeymoon recipes made with Guajillo, which she promises is one of the milder hot peppers.

Behind them on the big screen televisions is the recording of the Jumbotron blazing in red letters, “She Said Yes!” after Garrett proposed to me on the field on repeat. Balloons and streamers are all over the place, and tonight I’m wearing a white sash emblazoned with “Same Dick Forever” in gold across the front.

We’ve been home a little more than a week. Garrett wrapped up everything in New York, had his things moved into storage, and while that was happening, Dylan was busy planning this whole surprise engagement celebration for the following Thursday Dare Night.

“Does this mean I’m not getting a push present?” I pretend to pout.

I’m in a booth with Miss Gina, Mom, Clint, and Rachel, and Dylan has just walked over with two additional servings of chips and pico de guajillo for Mom and Rachel.

“You’d better get a push present!” She sits on the edge of the booth across from us, beside Miss Gina. “That was a cover story, but Garrett knows what to do.”

---