Page 65 of Going for Two
Lottie trailed kisses across my collarbones. “We should probably get dressed,” she told me.
“Just a few more minutes,” I replied as I curled myself into her side and relished the feeling of her fingers running through my hair. My favorite place in the world was quickly becoming my head on Lottie’s chest—the only place I felt all the stress I carried with me slowly disappear.
“Okay,” Lottie whispered as her fingers continued to comb through my hair. “Just a few more minutes.”
“You look like you’ve got a new pep in your step,” Derek observed as he sidled up next to me in the hallway on our way to the practice field.
“It’s playoff week. Of course I’m excited.” I cast him a sideways look.
Derek’s eyes narrowed as he looked me over from head to toe. “I’m not sure that’s all this is. You look put together—freshly shaven, fresh haircut”—Derek leaned in closer—“and is that perfume I smell?”
The glint in his eyes told me everything. Derek was more observant than everyone gave him credit for, and he might as well run his own NFL gossip account for the way he was gathering dirt on me.
My friend gave me a pat on the back as we emerged out onto the practice field and the cold January air. There were a few flakes of snow falling from the sky, but we would still be expected to practice since Gateway Stadium was exposed to the outside.
“Tell Lottie that I know your wardrobe and I could tell the sweatshirt she’s wearing today is yours,” Derek leaned in close to tell me before he ran off toward the other tight ends.
My mouth dropped open as I watched him run away from me, but not before making a mental note to never leave Derek unattended in my home again.
“How are we doing, buddy?” Hawthorn asked as he sidled up next to me. Most practices Hawthorn never did more than a few kicks, but he was fully dressed for today to work with the slippery conditions from the snow.
I could tell by the look in Hawthorn’s eyes what he was getting at. “Just taking it all in,” I told him. “You don’t have too many of these left either.”
Hawthorn shrugged. “Maybe a few more. But hell, if we happen to win it all this year, I think I may just leave it all behind and go out with you. The kids are getting older and I don’t want to miss out on any more of their firsts than I have. Plus, it’s time that Sarah got a chance to take on something she wants to for once instead of sitting in the backseat like she has all these years.”
“You two have managed to make it work,” I told him. It was amazing watching the sacrifice and love that those two showed each other year after year.
“We have,” Hawthorn agreed. “But only because we understand when it’s time to stop choosing ourselves and start choosing the other person. It’s a give and take. We both know we each need our moments to focus on our wants and goals, but often that comes at the other person sacrificing theirs. It’s time that I choose Sarah’s wants and goals.”
The two of us stood next to each other quietly for a few minutes as we watched the rest of the team start their warmups. “It’s been an honor watching and learning from you and Sarah over the years. And it’s been an honor to be able to call you a teammate and a lifelong friend.”
Hawthorn stuck a hand out for me to shake before he pulled me into a hug. “The feeling is mutual. I’m excited to watch what’s next for you, but I know you’re in good hands.”
I followed Hawthorn’s gaze to where Lottie stood on the sidelines.
“You would make a fantastic coach, Nolan, and I think the two of you may just be the backbone of this team next year.”
Warmth flooded my body at his compliment. “Thanks, man. That means a lot.”
“Now, let’s go get this shit done. It’s too damn cold out here,” Hawthorn told me as he pulled his helmet on.
I chuckled.
He’d never kick the stereotype of kickers being soft.
Chapter 30
Nolan
The parking lot outside of Gateway Stadium was even more full than usual as I pulled in and began to drive past everyone braving the snowy conditions to tailgate outside. Many of the fans recognized my Range Rover and cheers broke out as I crawled by them.
People were in winter overalls and stocking caps to keep the cold away, but you’d never guess they were tailgating in these conditions from the smiles on their faces. Bobcat flags were raised high on flagpoles throughout the parking lot. Some people even had custom flags that read “The GOAT” with a picture of me on it. Most of these fans wouldn’t have tickets to the game, but simply being here and watching the game from televisions they set up in the parking lot was enough for them.
I may be biased, but I truly believed the Bobcats’ fanbase was the best in the entire NFL, and they would be something I would miss playing for. I only hoped that Coach Randolph and the rest of the organization had considered my offer to take over for Coach Elliott after he retired so I could remain a piece of this place.
Workers were ambling around the parking garage the players and staff used underneath the stadium. But there was one person I noticed immediately that had me hesitating to get out of my car.
“Nolan!” Gary Martinez, the Bobcats’ owner, greeted me as soon as I closed the driver side door.