Page 77 of Going for Two
Clear your mind.
Lottie stood away from the team as I ran off the field and the defense went to take our place. The excitement I was feeling was mirrored on her face—despite it all, she was still cheering for my success and my dreams.
The defense managed to get a stop and we were back on the field. I relayed the play to my team. But as we lined up, another revelation dawned on me.
Breathe. Throw.
My eyes shifted toward Lottie standing on the sidelines as I ran to group the team back up for the next huddle. I would be herenext year, as would she, but I knew that if I didn’t do something about the gaping hole between us we would eventually consider each other only colleagues.
And that would be the most disappointing thing of all to come out of this season.
Clear your mind.
Another touchdown. This one ran up the middle and into the end zone. We were hitting our stride as a team and stretching the gap between us and San Diego. It was a completely different game compared to the first time we played them during the first game of the season. I had been shaky and not confident in my performance. The team was underprepared. Since then, I’d turned into a different person and we’d come together as a team.
This season had been far from perfect. I’d started the entire thing with an attitude unfit for a leader. I assumed that Lottie couldn’t have possibly helped me with this season. Little did I know that she would beexactlywhat I needed. Not just to help me complete the season of my dreams, but to fit a gap in my life that I never knew needed to be filled.
Now I only needed to do something about it before it slipped away from me forever.
Chapter 35
Lottie
I watched from the sidelines as Nolan led his team toward a sure victory. He dominated the game, turning nearly every possession into a touchdown. It was like watching a great warrior completing his heroic arc right before your eyes. Tears pricked at my eyes as I watched him succeed—happy he was accomplishing his dreams, but also sad because with every touchdown it felt like he was drifting farther away from me. Eventually I would have to let him go completely as we approached a crossroads that would take us in opposite directions. The tears were salty on my lips as I took in the bittersweet scene.
He’d taught me what it meant to live life without worrying if I’d done enough—beenenough—as we both navigated what life would look like once we stopped trying to live up to imaginary expectations. He had shown me what it looked like for someone to care about the things I wanted. The most heart-wrenching part was that in a perfect world, he would be in my life.
Olivia had been right. Our father hadn’t made me unlovable, and Nolan proved that by loving me through all my insecurities and baggage.
The clock ticked down on the fourth quarter, eating away the last few minutes of this season. All the Bobcat fans in the stadium and the staff were collectively holding their breath as we watched the defense attempt to stop San Diego one last time and cement their win in history.
Nolan stood just down the sideline from me and I watched him instead as he took everything in. His chest moved steadily up and down as he scanned the fans in the stands. He smiled when he spotted his name handwritten on signs in the crowd. He looked content as he sat on the bench watching the seconds tick off the clock. I glanced up toward Nolan’s box to see Maggie and Tommy, Adam and his wife, Olivia, and Jamil surrounded by Nolan’s family, already celebrating with champagne bottles. It didn’t take much to imagine what it sounded like in that tiny room.
Seeing their excitement for Nolan’s and this team’s success made me want to be a part of it. Not standing off to the side, silently cheering him on. I wanted to relish in his successwithhim. If what he told me earlier was true and this was his last game, then I had to do something about it.
Without even thinking, I walked over to him. “Are you ready to be a three-time Super Bowl champion?”
“Feels unbelievable,” he replied as I sat down in the empty space next to him.
“It’s well deserved.” I reached over to give his hand a squeeze. Nolan turned his hand over so he could hold mine.
Together we watched the defense get the final stop against San Diego to solidify the Chicago Bobcats’ win. Everything happened in slow motion as we leapt to our feet. The noise in the stadium rose to a ground-shaking level that had my own ears ringing as I watched Nolan and his team rush the field to celebrate.
Navy and red confetti fell from the rafters. Media crowded around the players as they tried to snap pictures. I lost sight of Nolan, Derek, and Hawthorn in the madness. Reporters had surrounded them to get postgame statements. Bodies ran into mine as they tried to fight their way onto the field. I was senthurtling forward. My hands reached out to brace for impact as the ground drew closer.
“Hey!” An arm wrapped around my waist, saving me from being trampled. “Are you okay?”
I looked up to see Nolan peering down at me, concern etched on his face. He was now wearing a Super Bowl Championship hat and a piece of confetti stuck to his cheek.
“Thanks to you,” I chuckled as I reached up to peel the confetti off.
Nolan’s hands stayed on my waist as his eyes danced across my face.
“What is it?” I asked.
“I miss you.”
I miss you.