Page 125 of Wild Love
I pat Charli’s head, and Johnny coos at her, slipping into the sweet voice he only uses for his dog. We decided since he’s traveling so much, it would be easier for Charli to stay with me for a few months. She and I get along great, but she misses her guy. Me too.
“Now go crush it. I want to brag about my superhot, super talented husband to all my friends. They’re coming over to watch, and we’re doing a Zoom call with Rhett and Sienna. My dad’s even watching. We’re all so proud of you.”
“I knew I’d win Jerry over.” He smirks, and then it falls. “Okay. Love you. I’ll call you later.”
We gather in the living room for the game. Sienna and Rhett are watching in Minnesota, but Ginny pulls them up on her laptop, so it’s almost like we’re all together to watch Johnny’s pro debut.
All his nerves were completely unwarranted. The Wildcats get off to an early lead. Johnny gets an assist in the first period, and seconds before the end of the game, he fires a shot that sneaks by the goalie and lights up the goalpost.
Heath jumps to his feet and screams. He does a lap around the living room and rips off his T-shirt and swings it around his head. While our friends celebrate, I stare at the TV with tears in my eyes. I’m so proud of him.
He calls me as soon as he’s done with interviews and headed to the airport with the team.
“Congratulations!”
He grins. “You’re my lucky charm.”
“You have to call Heath. He was out of his mind when you scored that goal.”
“I will. First, check your email.”
“My email?”
“Mhmm. I just sent something to you.”
“Okay.” I move to my desk and find the email from Johnny. It’s a forward, and I skim quickly, stopping when I get to the bottom and see the photo of him in the shower from the photo shoot we did this summer.
“I don’t understand.”
“My dad called me after the launch. Apparently, it didn’t do as well as they expected.”
I bite my tongue. I’m still pissed about the way his dad handled that. Not about the photos. I can handle my work being critiqued, but I cannot handle my man being shit on by someone who is supposed to love him unconditionally.
“He wanted to renegotiate, and I told him the only way I was going to be the face of Maverick Corporation’s new line was if they used your ideas. All of them.”
I scroll up and read more carefully as he speaks.
“They created a new scent called Rebel. Johnny Maverick wears Rebel. It goes live tomorrow. They’re using all of your content, the image you selected, the behind-the-scenes videos, everything. Your check is in the mail.”
“My check?”
“A little bonus to show JM Holdings’ appreciation.”
“Johnny,” I admonish. I know we’re married, but I’m not sure I’ll ever get used to his money being our money.
“If you’re opposed to buying something for yourself, then use it to come see me next weekend. Invite the whole gang.”
And there it is. I’d wager just about anything that when that check arrives, it’ll be for the exact amount to fly me, and all our friends, to Minnesota.
“I love you.”
“Love you too, babe. I’ll call you as soon as I get home. Be naked.”
And that’s how the first few months apart go. We talk every day. I cheer him on from afar, and in the Wildcats arena that I spent so much time at this summer, I hang out with my friends, work at the Hall of Fame, study, and countdown the minutes between every visit and call.
On a crisp fall weekend, Johnny has two days off, and we travel to Kansas together. The ceremony is held during halftime of the homecoming game. Dad and Johnny watch from the sidelines. I’m nervous as I walk out onto the football field with the other former athletes being inducted into the school’s Hall of Fame.
Mr. Hote, my old track coach, is probably here somewhere in the stands, but I specifically requested that he not be the one to give me the award. I keep my eyes trained on Johnny and my father standing and clapping. They both look so proud. It’s a silly award, but it means everything that they’re here. Maybe life is less about accepting the award and more about the people who are there for you when you receive it.
