Page 166 of Unrivaled Love
Holyshitwedidit.
In our final game against South Korea it came down to penalty shots. My ass almost emptied itself when we got to the end of overtime tied one to one. But after five shots we had gotten four in net while they only managed three.
And now, here I am, a World Cup Champion.
Confetti sticks to my sweat covered skin and I can't hear anything over the music and the shrieks and giggles of joy coming from my teammates. We hoist the cup and it feels lighter than air.
I can't stop smiling or breaking out in spontaneous giggles. And then suddenly tears are rolling down my cheeks. It's like my body doesn't know how to process this event.
The stadium is huge and the fifty thousand capacity was met for sure. It's an impossible task to find my family in the stands but I'm hoping I can catch them.
And Bryson. A part of me is sad we weren't together, or even friends, when he won it all last year. To be able to share this with him means the world to me. Was he wishing he had someone to celebrate with?
"Can you believe this?!" Keira yells at me and we wrap each other in another hug.
"No! Honestly I can't. What is happening?" I let out another laugh and she joins me. With our arms slung around each other we stand and look atthe crowd who are still cheering for us twenty minutes after the final kick went in.
After the medals are awarded we take another picture and then I hear my mom calling my name. I turn and see her sprinting out of the tunnel. Her purse slapping against her leg as she crosses the distance.
I start laughing, and crying, again, and meet her halfway.
"Jo, baby! You did it! I'm so proud of you!" She says and we squeeze each other tight. Next I see my nieces and nephew running over followed by my dad, Al, Chris, and Bryson bring up the rear.
"Great game Auntie Jo!" I scoop them up in hugs. My dad hugs me around the kids and helps me peel them off after a kiss to my cheek.
Al and Chris pile on next and we sway back and forth so hard we fall over. Dad helps Al up and when I look up Bryson is standing there grinning.
"Congrats, Killer." He says and I launch myself into his arms. I wrap my legs around his waist and he holds me to him. I bury my face in his neck and let go.
All the tears come.
Relief.
Everything I had left comes pouring out.
I cry for all the effort, all the uncertainty, all the doubt. I cry for the victory.
"I did it." I whisper to him.
"Hell yeah you did."
I sniffle up a laugh.
"But if you get snot on my authentic Hamilton jersey I'm going to be pissed."
I pull back and sniffle again as I laugh. “Can't have that." I say.
"And isn't the HAB supposed to be jumping into the athlete's arms?" He asks and I shake my head in confusion.
"What?"
"Well, at the end of my game all the girls jump into the guy's arms. So it's kinda not fair I have to hold you up after your win."
"You're ridiculous."
"But am I wrong?" He states without the hint of humor to his question.
"You're not going to let this go are you?"
