Page 93 of Overtime
“I’ll drive,” I say and somehow, I manage to stand, despite the fact it feels like a bomb has just exploded in the room.
“I’ll call East on the way,” Ben volunteers.
“And I’ll drive the rest of us.” Violet looks solemnly at the rest of the shell-shocked faces in the room.
Tobias has to be fine. Somehow. Someway.
EPILOGUE
Joss
“So Mike,tonight the Seattle Phantom are fighting for their postseason lives. We really thought after the way they started the season that they were going to march straight to the playoffs. But now they’re just trying to eek out a spot for themselves in Wild Card Weekend,” annoying sports reporter number one says to the screen and then turns to his asshole colleague.
“Yeah Jim. They seemed unstoppable at the beginning of the season. There were people that had them picked to go all the way after week two. That now infamous pick and kiss play by Xavier sent everyone into Phantom Fever. Unfortunately the team has been riddled with injuries in the second half of the season. St. George suffered that concussion and missed a couple games. And then no sooner he was back on the field, their star wide receiving duo was broken up when they lost Westfield to that horrific motorcycle accident. They’ve just struggled to find their rhythm, Jim, and St. George has struggled with more than his fair share of interceptions as well.”
I turn from the screen that’s playing in the box and hurry up to the window, spying the guys talking on the TV down on the field and give their miniature sized selves a giant double middle finger salute.
“Joss. You know they can’t see you from up here.” Violet admonishes me.
“It’s the fucking thought that counts.”
“All right. Continue thinking then.”
“They’re winning this and they can take all their opinions on St. George and shove them—”
“He’s coming in now.” Violet interrupts, motioning to the field.
Even if she hadn’t said anything I’d still know because the crowd erupts the second their guy—and mine—steps on the field. I grin through the glass at him.
“He will never stop looking hot in that uniform, will he?”
“Hasn’t gotten old for me yet.” Violet grins.
“Agreed.” Harper and Mackenzie chime in.
They introduce Colt by name and the crowd gets even louder.
“You hear that assholes? Why don’t you report on that?” I shout down at them.
Harper laughs and wraps an arm around me. “I’m so glad Violet brought you here and Colt has convinced you to stay at least part time.”
“Most of the time. I mean, I’m still going on the road occasionally and hopefully dragging him with me in that narrow window of off time they get. But I like it here.”
“Well we like you here.” Violet leans her head on my shoulder. “Especially when I get to put you through grueling hours of wedding planning.”
“You know, I was mostly focused on your honeymoon and what you were wearing for that.”
“We can do both.” She grins brightly.
My phone dings and I look down. A message from the assistant Harper and I hired for the foundation pops up, letting me know that the auction is going incredibly well for the limited edition signed photo books we posted today. I hold it up for Harper to see.
“Oh shit! That’s awesome.”
“One of them is up to five figures already?” Violet gives me a shocked look.
“Right? Thanks to these guys being good at football and hot with their clothes off. Maybe this is the secret to funding arts and culture programs across the country.”
They both laugh and then we get settled in to watch the game.
