Page 28 of Remember Me

“I was thinking something similar,” I said, excited by her enthusiasm. “My research actually included a section on cross-organizational programming and its impact on community engagement.”

“See? Science backs me up!” Cali pumped her fist in the air. “Quarterly events? Maybe each season we feature a different sport? Summer with the Catfish. We could do a reading program where kids get baseball cards for finishing books!”

“Fall fitness with the Crossbills,” I continued, caught up in her energy.

“Winter hockey clinics with Chilly teaching kids to literally chill out with yoga!”

“And a spring basketball tournament with Duke,” I finished, already seeing the possibilities. “It would give kids exposure to multiple sports while pooling our resources.”

“Plus,” Cali added, jumping down from the table, “it would be ridiculously fun! And isn't that what this is all about?” She gestured to the Super Bowl fan zone around us. “Creating memories that stick with these kids forever?”

“Exactly,” I said, feeling like I'd found a kindred spirit in this whirlwind of a woman.

“It's settled then,” she declared. “Carolina Mascot Takeover, coming to a season near you! We'll hash out the boring details later, but I'm in if you are?”

“I'm definitely in.”

“Perfect!” She glanced at her watch. “Right. I'd better grab my mini-monsters before they break something or someone. But this conversation? To be continued with coffee or margaritas, your choice!”

As she bounced away toward the family area, I couldn't help but smile. Her energy was infectious, and I could already imagine what we might accomplish together.

I did one final check of each station. Clutch was now practicing his victory dance, wings flapping enthusiastically as if already celebrating a Crossbills win. Catty was swishing his large tail fin, ready to give high-fives with his fins to all the excited kids. Duke had finally stopped trying to balance things on Catty's head and was now adjusting his oversized basketball shoes. Chilly was perfecting his cool pose by the hockey net. Everything was ready.

Just as the doors were about to open, my phone buzzed with a message from Tanner:

Tanner:Would you have time to meet before the game? Need my pre-game kiss.

I smiled, tucking the phone away as the first wave of excited children poured into the area, their faces lighting up at the sight of their beloved mascots. Tanner would get his pre-game kiss. He had to. It was tradition. Not kissing him on the most important game of his career would be blasphemous.

Aster:Always. Will try to get there in the next thirty minutes.

Tanner was probably locked in and focused right now. I had no doubts he’d win tonight. He was just too determined not to, but I also knew that after starting in the NFL, he’d become highly superstitious and I didn’t want to jinx him.

When the event went into full swing, I watched the scene unfold, pride swelling in my chest at what we'd created here today. My thesis advisor would be amazed to see how far I'd taken those theoretical frameworks we'd discussed in her office late into the evenings. From academic papers to the Super Bowl. Not bad for a girl who had to explain the difference between a mascot and a furry.

I found a moment to slip away toward the back of the room. The volunteers had everything under control, and Cali had returned with her twins, who were racing from one mascot to the next, their excitement seemingly amplified by their mother's equally enthusiastic commentary. She really did have a close relationship with Catty, but I supposed that made sense if she was always running their fundraisers.

Today was going to be a fun day, that was for sure.

When I got to the locker room, I smoothed my hands over my Crossbills jersey, the one with my boyfriend’s number embroidered across the back and took a deep breath before greeting the security guard, Allen, as I pushed open the locker room door.

Everyone knew me as Tanner’s girlfriend at this point, but I was excited to build my own legacy with my job. Eight months in and I was absolutely loving it.

The locker room was full of people. Equipment managers darted between players. Coaches huddled in corners, going over last-minute strategies, and players had family members wishing them luck.

The air smelled of athletic tape, deodorant and that distinct pre-game electricity that made the hair on my arms stand up.

I spotted Tanner across the room, deep in conversation with one of the water boys. He was a gangly teenager who looked at my boyfriend with undisguised hero worship. I couldn't blame the kid. Tanner in his element was something to behold.

The grit, the sheer strength in determination it took to not only compete at this level of sport, but to push through to the point of reaching the Super Bowl was something I didn’t think would happen, let alone within five years of being in the league.

“Hey,” Tanner said, his face lighting up as I approached. “I didn't think you'd make it down here before warmups.”

“The mascots are settled in,” I explained, straightening his already perfectly straight collar. “And I couldn’t not see you before... everything.”

His eyes were bright but distracted, that game-day focus had already settled over him. I'd seen the transformation from my sweet, tender-hearted Tanner into the focused athlete the world knew as number 16 countless times.

“You okay?” I asked softly, recognizing the slight tension in his jaw.

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