Page 93 of Hail Marry
“That’s the game, Tori,” Troy says, amused.
I know it is. But watching my husband be the one getting tackled? That hits different, no pun intended.
Luca has three more receptions, each of which draws huge cheers from my family. Austin takes it upon himself to inform me of the other great plays Luca has—plays where he doesn’t get the ball but has a good block.
He points to the Jumbotron as the replay starts. “See how he’s clearing the path for the other receiver to?—”
“Yeah, a screen pass,” I say, wincing as Luca and the defensive back smash into each other.
Austin stares at me like I’ve just been beamed down from a spaceship.
I shrug. “What? I help Luca study a lot. I’m basically a football guru now.”
Guru or not, the hits I watch Luca take are unbearable, and I’m in awe every time he gets up like nothing happened. I have never seen anything so simultaneously terrifying and sexy.
The final score is 27-23 for the Admirals, and in a haze of joyous victory we all feel like we had a personal hand in achieving, our entourage heads for the players’ lounge, our voices all raspy from overuse. In the lounge, there are a couple ping-pong tables and a massive TV playing Sports Center’s recaps of the game.
“Oo,” Siena says, looking at the far end of the room. “Food!” She rubs her stomach. “This baby eats like he plans to be on the Admiral’s offensive line.”
The men grab the ping-pong paddles and start a game of doubles while Mom, Mia, Stevie, Eden, and I take seats in the small area where they’ve provided a few toys for kids.
It feels like forever before the doors from the locker room open, and it’s a couple minutes beyond that before Luca emerges.
My family goes crazy. Because theyarecrazy. It’s the only way they know how to be.
We all head for Luca as he comes toward us, freshly showered and wearing an Admirals tracksuit. There’s a moment of hesitation when we all stop, facing each other.
Siena gives me a ruthless shove, pushing me into his arms.
Luca catches me, and I hesitate for a second, then wrap my arms around him. This isn’t a time for being awkward or self-conscious. Luca just won his first NFL game.
“You were incredible,” I say. “And you’re still alive.”
He chuckles into my hair. “Thank you for being here. And for wearing it. I’ve never loved my uniform more.”
It takes me a second to respond. “Number one fan right here.”
“She was genuinely worried you were at death’s door about fifty times,” Siena says, ruining the moment she brutishly orchestrated.
Luca pulls back and looks down at me with a smile. A smile that I could swear says he doesn’t hate lightning. He grabs hold of my hand.
“And here,” I say, turning toward my family, “are your embarrassing groupies, AKA the Sheppards.”
Jack puts his arm around his wife. “We’re Allreds, thank you very much.”
“And apparently about to have a Smurf halfling,” Siena says. “Please tell me you heard us cheering for you, Luca. Tell all of us this”—she gestures to her husband and our brothers—“wasn’t for nothing.”
“Oh, I heard you,” Luca says. “The whole team did.”
“I’m so sorry,” I whisper in shame.
“I loved it,” he replies as my dad comes in to give him a hug.
And honestly, I’mnotsorry. Seeing him smile like this and joke with my family is a moment I’ll never forget, whatever happens between us.
We leave the stadium and grab ice cream with my family while my brothers recap every good play Luca had. Eventually, though, they have to start the drive home—Siena and Jack are staying with my parents for the night—while Luca and I head back to the house.
He’s extra quiet. When we get out of the car to head inside, he lets out a sort of grunt and cringes.
