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He gently tugs me closer and when our noses brush, I say, “It was always meant to be you.”
With the utmost tenderness, he leans into me placing a feather light kiss on my lips and says, “I know.”
CHAPTERFORTY-THREE
Present Day
The memory of the emotions I felt that day almost knocks me to my knees as we approach the field to finally face what I’ve waited all these years to do.
Here I thought it was the worst day of my life, but looking back now, it was truly the first day of what my life would be.
And I love what my life has turned out to be.
I have an amazing husband and three wonderful kids.
It’s like that song “The Dance” by Garth Brooks. “I could have missed the pain, but I'd have had to miss the dance.”
All the heartache and pain I felt over those years led me exactly to where I am today.
And I wouldn’t change that for the world.
I reach for my husband’s hand, and he gives me a sexy grin before leaning in to give me a quick kiss.
We walk to the huddle, where all the players are kneeling as the coaches give out their pennies—a tradition that I can’t believe they still do.
After the awards are handed out, everyone starts to disperse, and I feel a hand rub my back, trying to get my attention.
When I turn, I see Debbie, and my eyes fill with tears.
“Sadie, sweetheart.”
“Debbie!” I give her the biggest hug. “I’ve missed you so much!”
“I’ve missed you too,” she responds.
When we pull back, I seehimstanding by her side with a soft smile on his lips.
“Aaron,” I say barely above a whisper.
“It’s good to see you, Sadie.”
He opens up his arms to welcome me into a hug. I go willingly, loving that we can get over the past so easily and embrace one another this way.
Though I’ve kept in touch with Debbie all these years, this is the first time I’ve seen or spoken to Aaron since I left here twenty years ago.
“It’s really good to see you,” he says genuinely.
We pull back from each other, and I feel Beau by my side.
“Aaron.” He reaches out his hand to Aaron, and they shake. “Good to see you, man. Congrats on the win. Looks like you have a good squad here.”
He nods. “We do. Just doing the same training your dad always used on us. Rinse, wash, repeat. No need to fix something when it’s not broken,” Aaron replies.
Aaron played all four years in college and was showing chances of getting drafted to the NFL. Then, he got injured in the same leg as before, and the doctors said he’d never be able to play at that level again.
I heard he was devastated at the time, but getting this job as the head coach, keeping my dad’s memory alive, was really what he was meant to be.
I reach out to him, and he grabs my hand. “It really means the world to me.”
