Page 93 of Bound and Blitzed

“I hope they win!” Leni murmurs beside me as we settle in for the game.

Raia takes my crutches and stows them away so no one will trip over them. My ankle is healing. I’m relieved that my concussion wasn’t too serious, and I left the mountains mostly unscathed. Still, I’m ready to be done with crutches and back to wearing two shoes.

“Me too,” I say, easing into the seat.

“Here,” Raia says, passing me a cup of hot chocolate.

“Thanks, Rai,” I say, noting the players as they run onto the field. “Here we go!”

Raia, Leni, Nova, and I watch the Super Bowl with our hands linked and our shoulders pressed together. We cheer, we groan at bad calls, and we show up for the men we love.

We also show up for each other.

A handful of months ago, I didn’t have friends to call my own. There was no man in my life. There was distance between my family and myself. Then, I took a chance—a leap of faith—and married Avery Callaway for all the wrong reasons. Except they turned out to be the right reasons. The best reasons.

His love helped heal my past hurts. His patience helped me discover my confidence. And his ring gave me a marriage I dreamed about.

With my newfound friends and family around me, I sit on the edge of my seat and cheer for my husband.

With three minutes left in the game, Avery receives the snap, dances back two steps, and throws a perfect spiral to Cohen. I watch as he receives it and dashes into the end zone, giving the Coyotes a much-needed lead. Talon Miller steps onto the field and makes the extra point a few minutes later.

“Oh, thank God,” Leni whispers beside me.

“They got this,” I say.

And they do. Because when the clock runs out, the Knoxville Coyotes win the Super Bowl.

The fans go wild. The box erupts with cheers. My friends are on their feet, tugging me up beside them. Raia wraps an arm around my waist to keep me from toppling over as we hug and scream.

“What a game!” Arlene remarks.

“What a life,” Joe replies, smiling at her and kissing her temple. He winks at Raia and me, and again, I’m struck at just how lucky I am.

Not only have I married a wonderful man, but I also married into an amazing family who accepts me for who I am.

Arlene and Joe help me out of the box seat and onto the field. Avery sees us immediately and beelines for me, scooping me up and holding me tightly.

“You did it!” I cry out.

“We did it, sweetheart. We did it.” He kisses me hard.

Around us, mayhem ensues. There’s cheering and shrieking. Families hugging and crying happy tears. Avery keeps me in one arm, cradling me against his body and supporting my weight as he embraces his parents and then Raia, as soon as Cohen lets her breathe.

“Your crutches!” Raia hollers.

“I’ll get them later,” I promise.

Avery grins. “I got her. I’m not letting Lena go.” He hugs me closer and kisses me again.

On the field in Tampa, in the middle of one of Avery’s greatest career achievements, my husband kisses me for all the world to see. And together, we celebrate his Super Bowl win.

Raia and I are waiting at the airport to greet the team as soon as they arrive back in Knoxville.

We cling to each other, still giddy on the high of the victory, and exhausted from the quick flight home. When Cohen and Avery spot us, huge smiles light up their faces.

“This is the best.” Raia dances on her toes.

I look at her and grin. She’s right—having Avery for my husband, gaining her as a sister, and celebrating a Super Bowl win is truly incredible. The four of us huddle together to exchange hellos and congratulations.

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