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“As for the fountain of youth, you’re looking at it,” I say. “Without Cami and our two beautiful children, I probably wouldn’t be playing right now. She gave my life and my career a spark. She makes me feel young again.”
Sarah smiles and then turns to Cami. “Cami, you’re raising two children and will be opening your own physical therapy clinic soon. How do you do it?”
“Like my husband, I’ve got a great team around me. From my father to Carter, to our nanny Jasmine, I wouldn’t be able to function without them, honestly,” Cami says. “As for being Carter’s fountain of youth, I still say he gives me too much credit. But I will say that he’s given me just as much of a spark in my life as he says I’ve given him. We’re in this together and I couldn’t have asked for a better teammate.”
Sarah laughs. “Spoken like a true coach’s daughter.” She turns to me. “Carter, let me just ask the question on everybody’s mind tonight as you celebrate your back-to-back championship wins. Will you be able to run it back for a third time?”
I see Ryder walking past, a cigar in his hand, so I grab him by the shoulder pads and pull him over to me then throw my arm around his shoulders. He laughs and whoops with his excitement and joy then sticks the cigar in the corner of his mouth. Cami and I share a look, and she gives me a small smile. I can see the question in her eyes. I give her a nod then turn back to Sarah and lean toward the microphone.
“I have no doubt this team is more than capable of running it back,” I say and pat Ryder’s shoulder. “And I have no doubt this man right here is going to be able to lead them to another title next season. He’s going to add to this dynasty we’re building.”
Ryder stops and turns to me, an expression of shock on his face that mirrors the one on Sarah’s. Being the professional she is, Sarah quickly recovers.
“Woah, woah, woah, it sounds like you might be breaking some news here,” Sarah says. “Can you clarify your comment for us, Carter? Because it sounds like you’re walking away.”
“Can you think of a better way to do it?” I reply. “Because going out on top like this seems like the best time to do it.”
“Carter, what are you saying?” Sarah presses.
“Dude,” Ryder says. “What are you saying?”
“I’m saying it’s time to hang ‘em up,” I say. “It’s time for you to shine, Ryder.”
“Woah.” Sarah darts her eyes from me to Ryder and back to me. “Are you telling us you’re actually calling it a career, Carter?”
Ryder looks stunned and takes a step back. I walk over to Cami, take her hand, and raise it, putting a gentle kiss on her knuckles. She has tears in her eyes but a smile on her lips. To me, she’s never looked more beautiful.
“It’s time I do something different with my life and take on a new challenge,” I tell her. “It’s time I focus on being a good husband and a good father.”
“Come on, man. You’ve proven you’ve still got a couple good years left in you,” Ryder whines. “We still need you.”
“Nah. It’s your time to step up, brother. It’s time for you to take the reins. It’s what you’ve been grinding so hard for,” I tell him. “This is your team now, Ryder. You got this.”
He throws his arms around me and pounds on my back. Sarah is still firing off questions, but I’m not really hearing them at this point. There will be time enough later for me to answer all her questions. And I’m sure there will be many. For now, I want to celebrate with my team and with my wife and our children.
“Carter, one more question,” Sarah says.
“That’s it for now, Sarah. I’ll have a formal press conference at some point, but I just want to spend tonight with my team and my family,” I say. “But talk to the new QB1 around here. I’m sure you’ve got a million questions for him.”
Sarah looks at me, flabbergasted for a moment, but she recovers and pivots to Ryder. He’s still looking at me with that same expression of amazement on his face. Using my elbow, I nudge him in the ribs and gesture to Sarah and her camera crew.
“Your time to shine starts now,” I tell him and grin. “Don’t fuck it up.”
As Sarah starts firing off questions at him, I take Cami’s hand in mine. Together, we turn and walk across the field, soaking in the celebration raging around us. She looks at me, her eyes still shimmering with tears.
“Are you sure about this, babe?” she asks.
Still holding a squirming Caitlin on my lap and with Cami’s hand in mine, I look down at her and smile wide, feeling my heart swell again.
“I’ve never been more sure of anything in my life.”
“Good answer.”
We head up the tunnel and toward the locker room so I can shower and change and we can celebrate with the team. After that, we’ll get started on this new life we’re building together. And I can’t wait.
EXTENDED EPILOGUE
CAMI
