Page 208 of Made Better Together

“No penalties, no dumb shit,” one of the coaches screams.

“C’mon guys,” Rawley says under his breath, willing our defense on.

It turns out no one has to worry.

After their center snaps the ball, there’s a half-second where the tension is sky high on the sidelines, but then we see a blue uniform break through the row of crimson guarding the quarterback.

It’s number fifty-five.

Landon.

The quarterback tries to scramble, but it’s too late. My brother tackles him with both arms like he’s been taught since age eight and brings the guy down.

Sack.

Clock at zero.

Game over.

The Waves are finally the Super Bowl champions.

The field is pandemonium by the time the ladies get down here. Grace, Avery, and Rori—who’s back from winning the Australian Open last week.

And of course, Eden.

She comes toward me with open arms.

“You did it, Connor. You did it.”

I give her a peck on the lips. “I can’t believe it. Fucking hell, I’m a Super Bowl-winning kicker.”

She hugs me tighter. “So proud of you.”

I kiss her again, this time on the top of her head. “Love you, Rosy.”

“Love you back.”

We glance around at the ecstatic crowd filling the field, taking it in, together. When we finally separate, she squeezes my wrist. “Let me go find Dad. Be right back.”

Grace comes over, squeezing me over my pads. Out of the corner of my eye, I see Eden hugging her dad.

“Hi, champ. Johnson has to go do a zillion interviews, so I wanted to check on you.”

I grin at her. “This is the best I’ve ever felt, Gracie.”

Her eyes light up. “Good. You deserve it.”

Eden returns, smiling at Grace. “Johnson’s speech was perfect.” Named the MVP of the game, he’d stood up on a podium with the coaches and owners to thank the crowd.

“Thank you. I’m not even sure he’ll remember what he said,” she says with a laugh. “He’s so high on joy. Good thing the entire world recorded it.”

“Goldie, come join me,” a recognizable voice calls out from several feet away. Johnson standing with some of the Waves o-line and their families.

“He must want me to greet someone. I’ll see you guys in a little bit at the party?” There’s a post-game celebration at a club.

I can’t stop grinning. “Definitely.”

After Grace leaves, Eden grabs my hand. “I don’t think you’re going to have problems finding options to play in the NFL another year.”