Page 104 of His Hungry Wolf

“We did it, Merri. I love you,” I told him, meaning it with all of my heart.

“I love you too, Claude,” he said before I leaned down and kissed him.

Epilogue

Claude

Sitting waiting to connect with Titus and Cali over Facetime, I was nervous. With Cali in New York, a lot had happened since the last time the three of us talked. I wasn’t sure how either of them would take it.

“Claude!” Titus said, joining the call first. “How’s beautiful Pensacola?” He asked cheerfully.

“It’s beautiful,” I told him with a smile.

He looked at me strangely. “Well, I don’t know what that means.”

“You don’t know what beautiful means?”

“I don’t know what that look you’re giving me means.”

“Hey,” Cali said, his mood clearly lower as he joined the call.

“Cali, how’s New York?” I asked him.

“I’m at home,” he said stone-faced.

“Okay,” I replied confused by his expression. “Anyway, I have news to share.”

“So do I!” Titus chimed in, his enthusiasm unaltered.

“So do I,” Cali said downtrodden.

“That’s funny,” I told them. “But I’ll go first. It looks like I’ll be the starting quarterback for the Pensacola Cougars,” I said, unable to hide my excitement.

Titus’s face lit up.

“I thought that was off the table!”

“The owner saw the showcase and reconsidered. I’m told that he and I met, and things went well.”

“Apparently,” Titus said excitedly. “Wait, what do you mean that you were told that you met with the owner? Weren’t you there?”

“Long story. And I’m still feeling the hangover. But it means I’ll be moving here,” I told him nervously.

“Oh,” Titus said caught off guard. “Permanently.”

“I think so. It’s a three-year contract, and Merri’s here. So…” I shrugged.

“Merri?” Cali interjected. “You mean the Merri I met?”

“Yeah,” I said, still smiling.

“Good for you. I liked him,” Cali said, his voice warming a bit.

“So did I,” Titus added. “Does that mean you’re leaving the business?”

“I’ll have my off-seasons, but I don’t know where Merri will want to spend them. Maybe it will be better to now think of me more as a silent investor.”

“Okay,” Titus responded, taking it in. “Well, I’m happy for you. That’s fantastic news about the contract and Merri.”