Page 74 of Red Zone Realizations
“Nine!”
Part of me wishes we were having a cozy night on our own at Noah’s house, but I think this is a memory I’ll look back on lovingly in the future when things look so different.
“Eight!”
I touch Noah’s arm, “Hey.”
“Seven!”
He turns those green eyes on me, lit up by people shooting their fireworks off early. “Fancy seeing you here.”
“Six!”
“Funny, I was just about to say the same thing.”
“Five!”
He leans down and kisses me. “You literally have five more seconds until midnight.”
“Four!”
“I’m sorry, I couldn’t wait. You look so beautiful.”
“Three!”
I can feel my cheeks flush under his gaze.
“Two!”
Finally, we both join in on the count. “One!”
Fireworks burst in the sky, so many of them it almost drowns out the cheers cropping up all around the neighborhood. Noah takes my face in his hands and brings hismouth to mine. The kiss is slow and easy, exactly how it feels to have the entirety of a new year ahead of you. No rush to do anything or go anywhere, there’s still 365 days left for that. Right now is just for savoring the feeling of his lips on mine and the burnt smell of sulfur in the air.
I look up at him after we pull back. “Happy New Year,” I say.
He just smiles and kisses me again, and for the first time in five years, I truly do feel like this year will be a good one.
Chapter Forty-One
NOAH
JANUARY
“Big Cats win!!!” We all jump up and down, screaming and hugging. Grabbing each other and our girls as we celebrate another NFL team’s win in Chrissy and Colin’s living room.
With that victory, and a loss for the Cyclops, the Hurricanes are headed to the playoffs!
For the first time in what feels like forever, I can taste the greatness coming. All that’s left is to reach out and grab it.
Sure, wildcard means we don’t get a break this week like some of the better-ranked teams. Yes, we have to go to California and play the Goldrush in their home stadium, but what matters is that we have a chance. One we just have to step up to.
The week of practice flies by. Every second of my day is about cramming for this game. I never even studied this hard in college. Never took classes as seriously as I’m taking this. I’m studying film like I’m a teenager trying to get a perfectscore on the SAT. I only come up for food and for one episode of a TV show per night with Audrey.
Thankfully, she’s understanding of what’s at stake, and is grateful for any time I can give her right now with the hectic practice schedule we have.
Because she has the drive to make her own business a success, she understands the focus I have for this game. She hasn’t been pouty or needy about my not sleeping over or inviting her to stay the night with me. I need to be focused. This is the most perfect I’ve ever had to be in my life, and I can’t have anything start to unravel before the referees even flip the coin.
She’s coming to California, of course. Seeing her on the field before a game has become a key part of my pregame routine. I can’t be without her. Her absence would be bad luck.
