Page 220 of The Coach

I’m about to leave.

I grab a Gatorade, take a sip, and set the bottle down hard on the table.

"Listen up."

Eyes snap to me.

I take a slow breath, leveling them with the most intense stare I’ve got.

"Look around. This is the moment. The one we’ve worked for all season. And we are not walking out of here with regrets."

I pace, rolling my shoulders, feeling the weight of it all.

“Do you know how hard it is to get to a Super Bowl? Do you know how rare this chance is? You don’t wait for it. You don’t hope for it. You go out there and you fucking take it.”

A few guys nod.

I point at them, sweeping my gaze across the room.

"I know you’re tired. I know you're hurting. But if you want this—if you want to walk off that field as fucking legends—you give me everything you’ve got for the next two quarters.”

My voice drops.

“Because this? This is the last time this group will ever play together. Right here. Right now.”

I pause.

Then, I crack a small grin.

"And, selfishly? I’d really love to win a fucking Super Bowl before I go meet my kid."

The room is quiet for a moment.

“What?”

“Yeah. Guys, my baby is on the way. Ivy’s water broke.”

Everyone erupts.

Dallas lets out a whoop, guys clap me on the back, helmets smack against shoulders, the energy clearly shifting in the room.

Travis comes over and gives me a smack, too. “Thanks, Coach,” he says. “You set a hell of an example this year.”

I grin back at him. He, apparently, smoothed things out with his baby mama. And while they might not be as solid as me and Ivy, they’re trending well.

“So let’s win this game for Ellie,” I say.

“You know it’s going to be a girl? Thought you didn’t know yet?” Dallas says.

“I can feel it,” I growl out.

“Then let’s do it!” Dallas yells out. “For Ellie!”

And then?

They go out there like goddamn warriors.

I make the call.

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