Page 72 of Going for Two

Next to the trophy was a framed picture of the team from that Super Bowl win. Hawthorn and I were clutched in an embrace, happiness all over our faces as confetti fell around us and therest of the team. Derek hadn’t yet been drafted that year. We had been considered the underdogs and had managed to take down a giant of a dynasty with a last-minute drive down the field where we got Hawthorn close enough to put one through the goal posts. I remember the immense amount of energy that burst from my chest the moment I saw that football sail through the middle of those two yellow poles. Everything I’d worked for since I was a kid was suddenly realized. I had been sure in that moment that nothing would ever top it.

“I remember being at home with my family during that game,” Caleb said. He was standing a few feet behind me, dressed in his practice gear. His eyes were locked on the picture in front of us. “I had on your jersey. You were my idol.”

Caleb’s eyes met mine and that look, mixed with everything that just happened between me and Lottie, nearly made me shed a few tears. My throat tightened and I had to fight to speak around it.

“I was that kid once, watching the Super Bowl game with my favorite quarterback’s jersey on. It’s surreal when the script flips and that time is coming for you.”

The rookie glanced back at the Super Bowl trophy for one more look before he gave me a nod. “I can’t wait for that feeling in a few weeks. It’ll be one of my favorite moments—sharing a Super Bowl win with you. Eventually I hope I can quarterback my team to one of those myself.”

Caleb gave me a smile, completely unaware that I was falling apart. “I’ll see you at practice.”

The choice between coming back next year as a player or a coach was supposed to be easy. The conflict I felt had started as soon as I welcomed the idea of playing one more season. Making that decision shouldn’t come with this much turmoil or guilt.

Caleb left me standing there in the hallway, feeling like the biggest asshole in the league. I didn’t continue to the locker room after him, instead I turned on my heel and walked toward the coaches’ offices.

When I walked in, I nearly ran right into Coach Randolph.

“Woah!”

“Sorry, Coach,” I told him, reaching out to steady him.

He laughed. “That’s alright, Nolan. What can I help you with? I’m assuming you’re not in this part of the building for just a walk.”

I took one deep breath before I let myself get straight to the point. “I’m not coming back next year. There’s no guarantee I’ll be healthy all season next year either. I’ve had a great season this year and I want this one to be my last.”

Coach Randolph’s face sunk with disappointment.

“And I want to be the quarterbacks’ coach next year. I know I can help Caleb get to championship caliber. That kid has worked his ass off this year and to let me take next season from him when he could win a conference championship for this team on his own would be a travesty. I need to retire. I’m ready to be done. It’s time to face it.”

He stuck his hand out toward me, and I stared down at it for a few seconds before I grasped it.

“It’s been a pleasure, Nolan. There won’t be another player like you. But I think I’m more excited to coach with you. I’ll let Gary know and we will work up a contract.”

A tentative smile slowly spread across my face before it broke out into a full-blown grin. “Thank you,” I told him.

“I’ll see you at practice. We have a conference championship to win.” He gave me one more pat on the back before he moved past me toward the practice field.

Coach Hill had a nice ring to it.

Chapter 33

Lottie

I couldn’t stop thinking about what Nolan had said during our conversation in my office. We’d managed to be a little less awkward with each other during practice that day and then during the conference championship game. We’d slipped back into our familiar partnership that we formed early in the season. But even as the team celebrated their win and the fans went wild, all I could think about was whether he was right or not.

Did I need to forgive my father to move on with my life?

Was he holding me back?

I hated that I couldn’t even fully celebrate that we were going to the Super Bowl because of that man. He never deserved another inch of space in my life, yet here he was still taking up residence in places I didn’t want him to be. He’d invaded my head during the few recovery days the team was given after the conference championship game. There were two weeks between the conference championship game and the Super Bowl.

This year’s Super Bowl was to be played in Los Angeles and we would fly out to start practices there this coming Sunday—three days. I knew that I had to take care of this feeling building inside of me now or I’d miss my chance.

My sister picked up on the third ring. “You’re interrupting my rewatch ofVampire Diaries. What do you want?”

“Oh, hi. Nice to hear from you, Lottie. I love you, too,” I mocked, fighting the urge to roll my eyes at her.

“Yes, hi. I love you. What do you need?” Olivia asked again.