Page 4 of Forever

CHAPTER 2

WILLIAM

Another bottle of champagne pops open and is thrown over our heads. Mud and grass stains cover my uniform, and I’m soaked in sweat and sweet liquid.

New York Knights are Super Bowl Champions.

Un-freaking-believable.

It all feels like a dream. But it’s a dream I don’t want to wake up from. After years of hard work, after all the ups and downs, we are finally here.

On the top.

Adrenaline is still running high in my blood. I could probably climb Mt. Everest with my bare hands. That’s how much energy, how much adrenaline, is running through my body.

This has been my dream since I was a little boy. Just a kid who could barely move under all the pads and equipment. To lead my team to the championship and win. Now we are finally here.

Winners.

But no matter how happy I am, I can’t escape this feeling that I’m missing something.

Someone.

Her.

What I wouldn’t give to have Bel here with me to share this moment. To hug her slender frame to my body. To kiss her senseless and lift her to my shoulders.

The victory is sweet, but it would taste even better if Bel was here.

Shelton finds me in the haze of players and staff. His hands grab me and pull me in for a hug. Pads and helmets are in our way, but we don’t give a damn about it.

This is our moment.

“Freaking champions, dude. We are freaking champions.”

I shake my head, sweaty strands falling into my eyes. “I don’t believe it.”

“Believe it, dumbass.”

Other guys start to gather around us and, somehow, I find my way onto their shoulders, my hands raised in the air.

My eyes are closed, and I just let myself enjoy the moment for a little while longer. This feeling of accomplishment and victory. The feeling of comradery and belonging.

“Price,” somebody calls my name, and when my eyes snap open, I see her.

My heartbeat slows until I’m not sure if it’s even beating. My mouth hangs open, but I don’t feel like I’m able to breathe.

I blink a few times, not believing what’s in front of me. No matter how many times I blink, or how long my eyes are closed, she’s still there. Standing at the railing, her hands gripping cold metal with Sienna and Grace wrapped around her. She’s wearing my too-big-for-her-small-body jersey, and her black hair is falling in soft waves.

I hope that whoever’s holding me in the air is doing it properly because, if not, I’ll fall right on my ass and embarrass myself in front of everybody around including the cameras and people watching TV at home.

Even from the distance, I can see her face clearly. Her lips are curled in a big, bright, goofy smile. It’s blinding even from the distance, and I have a feeling I can see tears shine in her eyes.

She’s here.

The lump in my throat is so big it’s hard to swallow.

She came.

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