Page 121 of I Got You

“We’ll see about that,” she winks.

We join the team, and Maggie bumps Cole’s elbow. “Hey.”

“Hey, Mags.” He slaps my hand.

She leans close to him. “I just got a call from Ben.” Cole turns to face her. “They’ve dropped it.”

“Really?” Cole says, just a little too loudly, and all the guys turn to look at us.

Maggie nods and grins. Cole grabs her and hugs her while the group around us watches before going back to their conversations. “You did it. Maggie, this is amazing. I can’t even tell you how relieved I am.”

He sets Maggie back down. “I know. I still can’t believe it.”

“So now what?” Cole looks between the two of us, and I’m not sure what he’s asking or, maybe I do, and it’s the question I don’t want to ask myself or Maggie. My stomach pinches, and my skin warms and tightens.

The overwhelming relief of knowing Liv isn’t going anywhere is being replaced by a growing uneasiness about what happens now. Maggie needed my help, but it’s over now. The hope and possibility I’ve only recently discovered is crumbling faster by the minute.

Maggie looks up at me and then back at Cole and shrugs. “I’m not sure, but right now, I’m not going to think about that.” She grabs my hand, squeezes, and then laces our fingers together, giving me the reassurance I didn’t know I was hoping for. “Tonight, I’m just going to be happy, and this guy,” she tips her head in my direction, “is going to dance.”

Cole laughs. “Good luck keeping up with her,” he challenges. He has no idea how hard I’m going to try.

A spoon clinks against a glass, and our attention is brought to the front of the room. We’re informed that the silent auction is open and asked to find our table for dinner to be served. At our table, we’re seated with a couple of the other coaches, their wives or girlfriends, and some faculty I’ve not met before.

“Oh, you’re Shane and Maggie Carter. It’s so nice to meet you,” a middle-aged woman says, moving closer to us. “We’re huge fans. Could you sign this for our son? He’ll lose his mind when he finds out we met you.”

“Sure.” I take the pen and sign the cocktail napkin.

“You’re just the cutest couple. I’m pretty sure the whole world was shocked to find out you were together. Tim Matthew’s daughter and Shane Carter. Who would’ve ever thought it?”

Maggie smiles, resting her hand on my leg. “Thank you.”

The woman continues to chat but is quickly quieted when Coach Cavanaugh takes the microphone. He welcomes everyone and expresses his hope that we’re all ready to open our wallets in hopes that this year's goal will be reached.

“We have lots of incredible items up for bid. Season tickets, signed footballs, and jerseys, not only from our team, but Shane Carter has donated some old team gear, along with some items from Sean Greyson, Mark Sandberg, and a number of other NFL players. Speaking of Shane, his wife Maggie is donating private dance lessons and two tickets to the upcoming show in New York featuring her and Danny Z. We have lots of local businesses and former alumni who’ve donated wonderful items, so get to bidding.”

The crowd applauds, and Coach continues. “I’m going to hand the mic over to the head of our organization, who will tell you more about all of the kids and programs that were served this past year, but before I do, I’d like to say just a few words.”

He pauses just briefly. “My oldest and dearest friend passed away recently. You all knew him as The Rocket. To me he was Tim. We played ball together. Stood by each other as we got married. I held his babies and watched him beam as they were his greatest achievement. He was a man who loved as hard as he played the game. He had the biggest, kindest heart I’ve ever encountered.”

I slide my arm around Maggie, and she rests back against me. “Tim founded this organization, and I’ve been blessed to be a part of it. Coming up in humble means and struggling to make his way through sports, he understood how important they were in helping children develop confidence and relationships and provide a safe place for them outside of school.”

“Cole and Maggie are here tonight, and it wouldn’t be right for us to continue without remembering this man. So many of us wouldn’t be here without him. So raise your glass. To the man whose legacy will continue to live on through each child who benefits from what he started and that we hope to carry on.”

We hear cheers, and I see Maggie swipe a tear away. I lean close. “He’d be so proud of you and all you’re doing.”

She nuzzles into my neck, taking a breath. “Thank you. I wish he could have met you. He would’ve liked you very much.”

A warm sensation washes over me at the memory of her dad throwing the football to me. The man who gave me a chance when I was just an angry, lost cause. He believed in me and helped shape me into the man I’ve become.

“Actually, I did meet your dad.”

She turns in her seat to face me, her brow scrunched together. “What?”

“This organization helped me attend one of his camps. He gave me a chance in the world and helped me see that if I worked hard, I could make it.”

The shock on Maggie’s face brings a smile to my own. “Why didn’t you tell me?”

“That’s not why I….” I stop, thinking about my words as her eyes flick between mine. “Your dad, this organization, changed my life, but I don’t want you to think this is a pity payback. I wanted to help you.”

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