Page 103 of Zero to Hero
Just like that, it’s Brandon’s turn again.
I really can’t watch this time. I put my head down and wait. The roar of the crowd tells me all I need to know.
He made it.
I jump to my feet, screaming and clapping. Jess grabs me, and we bounce up and down holding onto each other as if that one point just won the Superbowl. The look on his face as he takes his helmet off is one of pure joy.
An agonizing three hours later, the game is still going. I know people criticize soccer for being slow because there’s not a lot of scoring, but American football takes forever.
Too many commercial breaks.
The Patriots ran away with the game. It’s 37–7 with two minutes left on the clock. The math on that is Brandon made four out of five extra-point attempts and one field goal from 45 yards. For those who have him in their fantasy leagues, he scored seven points.
That’s also important because one of his corporate sponsors is donating a thousand dollars for every point scored to JustSibs.
As the time ticks away on the fourth quarter, Jess and I make our way down to the front row. Benj and Sam can’t weave their way down to the field the same way, but Hannah has given them passes to get on-field access. We’ll meet them down there. We have family passes hung on lanyards around our necks, so we’re allowed through without difficulty. Having a camera crew for the series finale ofAmerican Football Herodoesn’t hurt our access.
This will be the last part they film, at least for now.
Having a production team attached to his training journey certainly helped Brandon get noticed. His performance, as evidenced by this game, secured him the spot.
Brandon looks up to the stands, searching. His gaze lands on me and his mouth breaks into a huge grin. I match his expression.
I love seeing his smile. I love seeing the joy that playing this sport brings him. I love him.
He waves at us and then motions for us to come closer. We get up to the rail, still about seven feet above Brandon’s head.
“Come on over,” he yells as the final whistle blows. There will be media down on the field, so it’s not like they’re in a mad dash for the locker room. At least the Patriots aren’t. The Jets might be another story.
I swing one leg over the railing and then the other. Brandon’s standing underneath me, his arms raised and ready to catch me.
“Just go for it. I’ve got you.”
No other statement could better sum up our relationship.
I jump down and Brandon catches me, my body slamming into his. Certainly not graceful, and I’d bet there’s at least one camera that’s recorded it for posterity.
Brandon plants a quick kiss on my lips and then lets his hands drop. He stands inches from my face.
Love.
I love listening to the sound of water lap the banks of the lake. I love taking an ice bath followed by a hot shower to ease the pain in my aching body after a fulfilling, yet grueling workout. I love waking up to the most beautiful brown eyes every morning.
I love Brandon Nix.
“You did it,” I yell over the volume in the stadium.
“We did it, Andrew.”
I have to laugh. “Why with the Andrew still?”
“Because I love how riled up it gets you. Because I love how it makes your eyes sparkle. Because I love you.”
Brandon takes a step back and then another and then another. Then, he’s down on one knee, pulling a small ring box out from—hell I don’t even know where he’s had it.
“Andrea Nichols, will you—”
I don’t even wait for him to finish. I rush him, tackling him to the ground, planting my lips firmly on his as I scream, “YES! YES! YES!” He rolls me over and somehow manages to slip the diamond ring on my finger. I look up to see not only Benj and Sam, Jess and Jasper, but several of Brandon’s new teammates surrounding us.
Not to mention multiple cameras.
Now that’s a video I can’t wait to see go viral.
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THE END
