Page 112 of Make the Play

“Reynolds!” I call out.

“Cap?”

“Cinnamon roll hero on two,” I announce to the huddle.

“My man!” Landry holds his fist out for me to bump. Hands go in, and we call out, “Rampage,” before taking our places on the line.

This year has been the best of my life. I fell in love with my future wife, and I’m here at the league championship game with my boys. We’re taking home the win, and then next month, I fly to the Bahamas with everyone who is important to me and pledge my love, heart, and future to Corie.

Life doesn’t get better than this.

Getting into position, I call out the play. Greg McCormick, our center, hikes the ball, and it lands beautifully in my hands. My eyes scan the field, and Landry is exactly where he’s supposed to be. With everything I’ve got, I rear back and throw the ball. I watch as it spirals through the air. A defender is on Landry’s tail, but he’s not fast enough. The ball lands in Landry’s hands, and he cups it tightly to his chest as he runs the final few yards into the end zone.

“Touch down Rampage!” the announcer calls out.

The Rampage fans go wild, and the team flees from the sidelines to celebrate.

We did it.

We fucking did it!

Closing my eyes, I tilt my head back and just listen to the sounds all around me. This has been a dream of mine since I was a kid. We’ve been so close so many times, and now, here we are. It has already been an incredible year for me, and another dream has come true.

“Fucking Beckett!” Landry engulfs me in a hug, and the next thing I know, my team surrounds me. We’re hugging, laughing, screaming, and crying. All the hard work, all the dedication, it brought us here.

This moment feels so much sweeter because I get to share it with Corie. As the guys break away, I start searching through the crowd to find her. I see my dad, and I know she’s with him. They all are. I take off, pushing through the crowd, smiling for the cameras that are shoved into my face, but I don’t stop for them. They can have my time after I give it to those who have been here for me for all of it.

Reaching my dad, I swallow back the lump in my throat as he wraps his arms around me in a hug. “You fucking did it, Knox. I’m so damn proud of you, son.” I hold him tightly, trying to get my shit together, but before I can compose myself, he steps back, and Mom steps forward. There are tears in her eyes, and her smile could light up Indy.

“Knox.” Her voice cracks, and I bend down to hug her. It’s awkward with my shoulder pads, but we make it work. “I love you. I’m so proud of you. She would be proud of you, too.”

“I love you,” I tell her, my voice wobbling.

I step back and make my way down the line through the rest of my family. They’re all here—every single one of them. Aunts, uncles, cousins, my sisters, and my new brother-in-law, they’re all here. They traveled on their own dime to watch me make my dreams come true.

I hug each of them, tell them I love them, and thank them for being here for me. Then it’s Sloane’s turn. She hugs me tightly, taps my cheek, and screeches when Landry lifts her into the air from behind and spins her around. I know my family will greet him just as they did me, but I don’t watch.

I only have eyes for her.

Finally, my girl steps forward. She’s openly crying, tears streaking across her cheeks. She smiles through her tears, and I bend, pick her up in my arms, and kiss her. Nothing is better than this.

I didn’t know I needed her until she crashed into me. I knew she was different. I knew that my world was going to change, but I didn’t know how much. This moment, she was meant to be here to share it with me. I was waiting for her all along.

“I love you. I’m so damn proud of you,” she says, pulling out of my kiss.

“I needed you,” I tell her.

“What?” she asks, tilting her head to the side.

“This moment wouldn’t have been as special if you weren’t here with me. You are the biggest, most important play I’ll ever make in my lifetime. I can’t wait to spend forever with you.”

“Knox,” she cries and hugs me tightly.

I stand here in the middle of the field with streamers, reporters, my family, my teammates, and their families, and nothing matters but her.

Us.

In a life full of plays, this is the only one that matters.

My forever with her.

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