Page 288 of Wrong Pucking Jersey

I did regret it.

Regret not realizing during the journey that I’d hurt so many people. Now it felt like I was at the end, and I would be forced to walk into the tunnel plagued with darkness and not by light.

I bet out of all of them, Micky would forgive me.

That thought brings me comfort in an odd way.

We could have been something, but now I understand why we weren’t.

It was me.

I was the problem.

The villain in my own story.

That was what she wanted me to realize.

Even if it meant she had to wear the wrong pucking jersey to do so.

“You did it, Mickey,” I speak it out there as loudly as I can. “You made me realize! I get it now!”

Would she be proud of me if she knew?

I can only hope so as I reach to pull the string that will open my parachute.

I notice further below the parachute that shoots out of Oscar’s minuscule body from behind, leaving me to smile as I debate whether to start my new path by apologizing to him first.

For the girl I’ll always love, I guess I should start a new leaf.

With that very intention, I mentally agree to my new destination.

This new path, which will eventually lead to my redemption.

I won’t ever hear the cheers of the fans.

Or enjoy the pats and embraces of my teammates.

But at least after atoning for all my mistakes, I’ll walk down this path, loving myself.

That’s what I always yearned for… and I guess I gave it all up for the thrill of it all.

Pulling the string in my grasp, I close my eyes with that hopeful future in sight.

The parachute never deployed…

Epilogue: It All Started With The Wrong Pucking Jersey

~MIKAYLA~

“See. I could have fit a king-size bed in here.”

I all but laugh before staring at the man lying next to me on the floor of my attic.

My empty attic.

Cleaned and ready for the new family who would make this place into their cozy home.

“You’re going to believe that in your mind for the rest of your life, aren’t you?” I ask when my eyes land on those honeycomb eyes. I really could stare at them forever and never get tired.

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