Page 143 of I Got You

“Yeah, but then you’ll have a nice break.”

“Speaking of that. We should find a beach somewhere after things settle down.”

She tips her head back to look at me. “Really? Where?”

“I don’t care. Anywhere that involves you and a bikini.”

Maggie snorts. “Well, that narrows it down.”

I settle back into the couch, still unable to truly believe this is my life. Some nights, I still go to bed, worried I’ll wake up and realize this has all been a dream.

“You plan it, and I’ll drive us to the airport.”

She smiles, her hand resting on my chest over my heart. “I can’t wait.”

The kids laugh at the movie, and Gidget barks and settles back down next to Teddy, who slings his arm over her.

“I’m glad you’re home,” Maggie whispers.

“Me too. I missed you being in the stands. It was a big win, and I wish you could’ve been there. What do you think about bringing the kids to Miami?”

“I think they have to go. I can’t see them not being a part of it. I’m not sure they’ll forgive us if we don’t take them.”

“I want you all there.” Win or lose, I can’t coach a championship game without having my family in the stands.

She tips her head up and kisses my jaw. “Well, then it’s settled.”

When the movie finishes, Maggie puts the kids to bed while I clean up the snacks and put out the fire.

Maggie finds me in bed, watching tape, and crawls in beside me. Her cold hands slide over my bare chest. “You and those freaking glasses. Seriously, man.”

“You’re ridiculous.”

She settles next to me, her body pressed against me, one leg thrown over mine. “I’m so tired. I don’t know what my problem is.”

“There’s been a lot going on.” I hit play on my tablet, replaying some of the game footage. It never ceases to amaze me how much she knows about football and what she sees that I sometimes miss. I love sharing the game with her.

“Yeah, I’m looking forward to you being home more and for things to slow down. Once we get back from Miami, the new semester starts, but my class load will be a little lighter.”

Two minutes later, I look down, and she’s sound asleep. These past weeks since the show have worn her out. I’ve been gone so much, and the kids have been home from school. Life has been crazy.

There was a time, not long ago, when going home meant quiet. Stillness. Solitude. And…complete loneliness. Now, when I return to the dramatics, chaos, and ever-present noise and mess, this is what home is. A real home filled with everything I’ve never had before, and it’s only because the woman on my chest didn’t give up when she had every reason to.

Chapter 60

MAGGIE

After sprinting through the airport and barely catching our flight, we made it to Miami late last night. Now, I’m sitting in the hotel bathroom on the edge of the tub with my head between my knees, inhaling slow, steady breaths. The muffin I ate thirty minutes ago threatening to come back up.

We need to leave for the stadium in ten minutes, where we will watch Cole play the last game of his college career. The game will determine whether the Colorado Moose are National Champions.

I swipe a cool, damp cloth over the back of my neck again, trying not to freak out about what might appear on the stick sitting on the counter just across from me. I want to look, but I can’t. According to the instructions, I have two more minutes, and as impatient as I am, this is not the test to cheat on. So I wait.

“Come on, Maggie. We need to get going,” Hank yells from the other side of the door.

“Keep your panties on. I’ll be out in just a minute.” I sit up, pinching my jersey and waving it in and out to give my clammy body some air. This one has Matthews across the back. Since this is Cole’s final game as a Moose, Shane agreed I should wear his name and number.

The timer on my phone goes off, and I inch myself up to peek at the little strip sitting on the ledge of the counter. I close my eyes and let out a breath.

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