Page 148 of Home Field Advantage
He smiles and nods. “I think it’s time.”
I stand from the chair, and Clark does the same, extending his arm out over the desk. Shaking it feels like the decision has been made, and I can’t help but feel the weight of everything lifting off my shoulders.
It feels right.
I hate the idea of putting this team and stadium behind me, but it feels like what I need to be doing.
Clark rounds the desk, stopping briefly before me before wrapping his arms around my upper body, pulling me into him the way a dad would his son. My body stiffens for a moment before I return his embrace. “I’m so proud of you,” he whispers.
“Thank you,” I manage to get out through the emotions taking over. “For everything through the years. You’ve always been like the dad I never had, and I’ll never find the proper words to tell you what that means to me.”
He pulls back from the hug, wiping a tear from his eye. “Get out of here, son.”
We both laugh, and I make my way out of his office. Stopping by the old trophy display once more to take in the life I’ve always wanted that’s now in the rearview mirror.
I sacrificed so damn much for that dream—birthdays, summers, relationships, without so much as batting an eye, and constantly telling myself that it would be worth it when I had one of these in my hands.
But now? Now I see my daughter running around the backyard of our rental in Bluestone Lakes, laughing with her arms in the air as she spins in circles. I see Poppy standing in the doorway with a coffee in hand and watching her with a smile on her face.
There’s a strange feeling of peace in realizing that the thing you chased for your entire life wasn’t the thing that mattered the most.
The desire will always be inside of me to win a championship, but it’s not everything anymore.
I used to believe that having a trophy would define me.
Now I know it won’t.
It’s focusing on my own happiness that will.
Strangely enough, that feels like winning a championship, too.
CHAPTER 39
WHERE ARE YOU?
Dallas
I’m at the restaurant you said you would be at, but you’re not here. Where are you?
Tucker
Met someone.
Be home late.
Or early tomorrow morning. I’ll update you soon.
CHAPTER 40
BUT I CAN CONTROL THIS LIST.
Poppy
I’ve spent the last few days stuck in my own thoughts.
Immersing myself in the classroom on Friday didn’t help because Sage was missing. It was just another reminder that Dallas had left.
I miss Sage.
