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Fallon
One year later
My ass hovers right above the seat as I squat, slowly standing up the further she drives the ball down the pool.
“Come on, baby. Come on,” I whisper into my clasped hand before moving them to rest on my forehead. I’ve never been so nervous in my life, I don’t even think with my own games.
Sage gets within the two-meter line, grabbing the ball as the goalie extends forward from the post. Sage’s arm winds back before she lifts out of the water and shoots it into the corner ofthe net. The whistle blows signaling a valid score the same time me and half the stadium jump to our feet.
“Woo! Fuck yes, Sage!” I shout, cupping my mouth with my hands. I know she can’t hear me, but a small part of me hopes she does. Her name is going to be splashed all over the news the next few hours for scoring the winning goal against Spain. My baby is officially a gold-medal Olympian.
“That’s a bad word,” Val scolds, standing on the seat next to me.
I scoop her up, laughing. “Sometimes bad words are allowed.”
Her eyes blink wide. “Really?”
“Uh, no. Not really,” her mother corrects behind her.
Blushing, I set Sage’s little sister down. “Sorry.”
She smiles. “You’re good, Fallon. Sage has taught her much worse.”
I turn back to the pool, watching the U.S. Women’s Water Polo team celebrate their win with tears in my eyes. We didn’t think Sage would be here this year, but we were hopeful. In the first game, she was a sub before they moved her to start for the last two. Proud doesn’t even begin to describe how I feel watching her play.
“I’m going to try to catch her before the award ceremony. Want to meet back at the front?” I ask her mom. She nods, tucking Val into her side as she tries to lead her up the stairs and out of the stadium.
I make my way down, heading to the closed-off area for coaches and helpers of the team. Her coach will let me through if I get his attention. I’m almost to the designated spot when a woman steps in front of me, shoving a microphone in my face and a camera standing behind her.
“Fallon Harris. We didn’t expect to see you here tonight. Do you have time for a quick interview?” Her smile is bright.
I give her a small nod, not wanting to, but it would look worse if I declined.
“I have four-time U.S Olympian Fallon Harris here with me tonight. What did you think about how the women played tonight?”
“Phenomenal. As a retired player turned coach, to see and hear their communication through the game and watch them making smart plays is everything we dream of seeing on our team.”
She nods. “And, among the team, is a player you coached personally. Sage Peters, correct?”
My heart thuds for a second, but I push the panic away. “Yes. I had the honor of watching her play her first year at Slater Hills.”
“We love to see the support in the community. With Peters scoring that last goal, do you think she’s vastly improved since your time with her?”
I chuckle, rubbing at my jaw. “I mean, we all have room for improvement, no matter where we are. But she’s on the Olympic team for a reason, right?”
Her bringing up Sage makes familiar doubts resurface. I don’t want to take this night from her, and my hugging or kissing her in front of a world broadcast would shine the light on the wrong thing.
“What about the rumor–”
I see the team starting to make their way out of the stadium, and my chance at seeing her before she leaves to prepare to receive her medal.
“Sorry, excuse me. I just want to congratulate them before the award ceremony,” I say, sidestepping the woman and walking briskly away from the media coverage.
I wait in the hallway leading to the locker room, congratulating the players as they walk by. She spots me immediately and sprints to me. I catch her easily as she jumps,not caring that I’m getting wet from her suit. Her mouth crashes to mine and I kiss her back vigorously, wishing we were alone so I could give her all the attention she rightfully deserves.
“I made the winning goal,” she whispers against my lips.
I pull back and set her down on the ground. “You did, baby. It was amazing to watch.”
