Page 77 of Red Zone Realizations
“He’s just one player. He doesn’t make or break a game for the entire Hurricanes team.Hedidn’t throw an interception.Hedidn’t fumble the punt return. Theteamlost this game,” Audrey spits, and it might be the hottest thing I’ve ever seen. “What’s the point of coming here if you were just going to be a dick to Noah’s face when I’m sure he’s already being hard on himself for this loss?”
My dad opens his mouth and nothing comes out for a second. I see it, exactly when it crosses his mind that now is not the time or place to rip me a new one. Not just in front of my girlfriend he’s meeting for the first time, but right after losing a game that I already knew the stakes of. Audrey is right. I’m going to spend the flight home berating myself over every mistake I made. I don’t need him to do it here. I haven’t needed that in a long time. Dad looks at me, eyes softer than I’ve seen them in years. “I’m… sorry, son. I just wanted you to be better than me, but I think I’ve been putting football before our relationship.” After twenty years of lectures and lessons, I didn’t expect this to happen today. He looks at Audrey, still beside me like a guard dog ready to strike. “I’m sorry that I couldn’t keep my act together long enough to properly meet you. You’re obviously very important to Noah.”
Audrey smiles back at him, sticking out her hand. “We can start over. I’m Audrey.” This time it’s my dad who bypassesher outstretched hand and goes in for the hug. My mom and I stand by as onlookers as the love of my life embraces my father. I’m struck by a feeling that even though we lost this game, I haven’t lost everything that’s important.
When my tunnel vision recedes, I realize how long I’ve been out here doing family drama time while everyone else is back in the locker room. “I’ve got to go.” I say it to Audrey, but I mean it for everyone. I kiss her and hug my parents goodbye, then back away toward the entrance to the visitor locker room. I barely make it twenty feet before the cheery little TV reporter approaches me and I groan internally.
She motions me over and I walk reluctantly into the lights in front of the camera.
She raises her microphone, but it’s so loud in here I have to lean down to her so I can hear. “Noah, congratulations on making it the furthest any Hurricanes team has in the last five years. How does it feel?”
I lean in to the microphone. “Awful. We wanted to go all the way. This is the team that could do it. It sucks that we got cut out at the wildcard game, but we’ll be back next year with a vengeance.”
“You’ve had an outstanding season, especially for a player returning from injury. You received one-hundred five passes for over a thousand yards and eleven touchdowns this season. What do you attribute that success to after having such a hard time last year?”
I scan the crowd behind the camera, looking past the blinding lights the crew holds. There’s not a lot of navy in the crowd, but one jersey stands out from them all. Audrey talks to Chrissy, who is obviously trying to stay cheery for the team, as she walks. I look back at the reporter; Erin I think is her name? “Her. It’s her.”
The reporter glances toward the stands, but if she doesn’t already know who I’m referring to, she won’t be able to pick her out in the undulating crowd. She smiles at me sweetly, eating up my romantic answer. “Thank you, Noah. Good luck next year.”
I smile and thank her before walking swiftly away.
We may be out of the playoffs this year, but I definitely won at life with Audrey by my side.
Chapter Forty-Two
AUDREY
FEBRUARY
Postseason bliss looks good on us.
I am absolutely glowing over all the time Noah has on his hands, which he’s been using to shower me with attention. He still has off-season workouts and podcast appearances to keep him busy, but besides that, I have his full attention. It feels like being carried everywhere I go.
My house is almost like an office at this point. I go there during the day to get as much work done as fast as possible. I let the girls run around and chill on the couch with me while I eat lunch, and then I run back to Noah’s house after.
Earlier I got a text from Noah:
Noah
Be ready to go out tonight.
Where?
It’s a surprise. Wear your favorite yoga gear.
Oooooh
It does ruin the surprise a little that I need my yoga clothes. It’s obviously a class. Maybe it’s private? That would be amazing. A chance to perfect my chaturanga under the eye of a knowledgeable teacher with me as their only pupil. It could be a psych out? Maybe a couple’s massage? I know Noah is fond of them and goes often during the season. A hike? The weather is decent since it’s February, but all the trees are dead.
Either way, I’m ready for him to come get me. Wearing my favorite set—navy leggings with a white long-sleeve top that fits tight as a second skin, I shoulder my mat right as the doorbell rings. I’m aware that I don’t know that this is, in fact, yoga, but one should always be prepared. I’d be less comfortable and unable to focus if I had to borrow a mat.
“Hey, baby!” Noah calls as he strides into my house. He has those delicious man leggings under his athletic shorts.Just the way I like it.He greets me with a searing kiss.
When we pull away, I say, “Getting a little ahead of yourself there.”
“Am I?” he mocks, thinking. “I thought we could hit a quickie before we go?” His smile is sly.
I roll my eyes even though my cheeks are bright pink, giving me away. I smack him on the chest and push him backward, out the door. “Let's go. You promised me a surprise—and don’t even say you have a surprise for me in your pants or I’ll smack you.”
