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“Plant my foot beside the ball. Keep my head down and make contact with the bottom third. Follow through and aim straight between the goalposts. Consistency is the key.”
Blake beamed with pride as he listened to his player recite what he’d taught him. “Excellent. Now go warm up and keep thinking about what you’ve learned. You’ll do fine.” He slapped Josh on the back and sent him down field to practice.
The game resumed a moment later and Blake returned to his spot on the sidelines, shouting until he was nearly hoarse. Finally, the Hawks turned over the ball. He ushered out his offensive line, holding his breath as each play moved them farther down field to the goal. He really did live for this game. The rush, the excitement, the roar of the crowds and the heart-pounding moments when you won or lost the whole thing in half a second’s time . . .
With their third down, his team perfectly executed the play he called, moving forward and centering the ball so Josh would be in the perfect position to score. He took the time to smile at his guys and give each of them an encouraging slap on the helmet as they came off the field.
While Blake loved to play, he realized in the moment that he also loved to teach. It didn’t matter whether Josh made that kick tonight or not. He’d make the next one because Blake would work with all of them to make sure they were better every time they played. He would teach them everything he knew about football and give them the tools to be successful in the sport and in life.
Grant was right. It had been a painful journey to get to this place, but he wouldn’t change it. He was exactly where he needed to be.
Springing into action, he directed the field goal unit out onto the field and gave Josh a supportive slap on the back. He praised each player as they came in, then joined them all as they stood, hoping and praying that they made that kick.
They had four seconds to pull off the play. Blake watched every step in the process like a hawk. A good snap, a good placement. Then Josh rushed forward, planted, and kicked.
The whole stadium went silent for the three seconds it took the ball to fly through the air and sail between the goalposts. By the time the referee signaled a goal and the clock hit zero, the roar was deafening.
The whole place went berserk. In the chaos that followed, Blake gave Josh a huge hug, then led the team out onto the field to shake the hand of the Hawks’ coach. Moments later, a surge of people surrounded them as the Rosewood fans rushed the field. He turned back to see that the only ones left in the stands were the marching band playing the soundtrack to their victory.
“Blake!”
He turned and saw Ivy fighting through the crowd to get to him. Meeting her halfway, he scooped her into his arms and gave her a big celebratory kiss. This moment was wonderful, but it was that much better for her being there. He wished they could end every game just like this, but he knew that was about as likely as him being at every concert. They could find a balance, though, he was certain of it.
“You were awesome, baby. The boys did great.”
“Yeah, they did,” he agreed. “That was an excellent win. I’m glad you were here to share it with me.”
Ivy smiled and looked into his eyes. The hundreds of people around them disappeared for a moment as he held her in his arms.
“Me too,” she said, kissing him again.
In preparation for tonight’s show, Ivy had to make a quick trip to the Chamberlain mansion. Since Kevin had this big song reveal planned for the finale, he wanted that special touch. She was virtually announcing to the world, and Blake, how she felt about him. He was certain that Miss Adelia would have just the thing they needed.
It was a little after ten when her rental car rolled up in front of the mansion. Kevin had called ahead of time, so she knew Miss Adelia was expecting her. That didn’t stop the butterflies in her stomach as she approached the house. No matter how many times she visited, it was always the same.
Ivy rang the doorbell, waiting patiently for Winston to come to the door. She was practicing her smile when the door flew open and none other than Lydia was standing there instead. She looked like the cat that ate the canary, opening the door to the Chamberlain mansion like she lived there.
Ivy tried to recover quickly and not give Lydia the satisfaction of throwing her off her game. “Moonlighting as a butler now?” she asked.
Lydia rolled her eyes. “Please. I have servants, I’m not one of them.”
“Could’ve fooled me. Why are you answering the door, if you’re not being paid to?”
“Winston is assisting Granny upstairs, so I stepped in to help. Maddie and I came over for brunch. We’re taking Hazel shopping this afternoon in Birmingham.”
It grated her soul the way Lydia called Miss Adelia “Granny.” That was probably why she did it. “Will Hazel be back in time for the concert? She told Blake she was really excited to come.”
“Yes,” Lydia said. “I couldn’t care less about the concert, of course, but I’m meeting someone tonight during the show. He’s been all tied up with a . . . special project . . . this week, and the concert is our first chance to be alone together. Of course, you know all about that.”
Ivy stiffened and tried to nod as though she was barely listening. “That’s nice. I’m here to see Miss Adelia.”
“I know,” Lydia said, stepping out of the doorway to let her inside. “She said for you to wait for her in the library. I’ll show you where it is.”
“I know where it is,” Ivy said, cutting her off. “Thanks.” She turned and marched in the direction of the library, hoping Lydia would disappear to some far-off corner of the house until she was gone.
Ivy plopped down into a wingback chair and frowned. As usual, Lydia had a way of getting to her. She’d just implied that she and Blake would be hooking up while Ivy was onstage. That was ridiculous. Blake had told her that he was going to watch from backstage with Kevin. Someone would notice if he was making out with Lydia while he was there.
She took a deep breath and tried to push the aggravation from her lungs. Lydia and Blake were not together. There wasn’t a secret conspiracy to use her for publicity. She and Blake were together. Really together, now. She was hours away from getting onstage and telling Blake she loved him. Blake’s feelings for Ivy were a mystery, but he’d been extremely clear about how he felt about Lydia.
