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Kel burst into tears, and Lark rushed forward and grabbed him in a hug. “This isn’t goodbye,” Lark told him. “No way is it that! We’re going to miss having you under the same roof, but we’re going to see you all the time. Heck, we’ll see you in just a few hours, when you pick up Sadie and the chinchillas! And then you’re coming over for Sunday dinner next weekend. Don’t forget, you promised you’d come.”
“We’ll be there for sure,” Kel said.
My phone beeped, letting me know the car I’d hired to take us to the airport was outside. I’d made the decision to retire from broadcasting because it wasn’t what I wanted to do with my life, but I had one final obligation first—a guest spot on a pregame show, before a bowl game in L.A.
There were hugs all around, and more than one person teared up. JoJo grabbed Kel in an embrace and said, “I feel like I’m sending my kid off to college or something—not that I’m old enough to be your mom. Just know the door is always open, and you’re a part of this family forever.” She smiled at Noah and me and added, “That goes for you two as well.” There wasn’t a dry eye among us by the time the three of us headed for the door.
Once we were settled in the town car and on the way to the airport, I asked Kel, “Are you okay?”
“I will be,” he said, with a little smile. “Endings are always hard, and that was a wonderful chapter in my life. But it’s just like JoJo said, we’re family forever. That’s not going to change, just because my address did.”
Fortunately, the surprise I had waiting at the airport was a good distraction. I’d decided to charter a private jet for our day trip to L.A., and my boyfriends’ mouths dropped open when we climbed out of the car at the terminal.
“So fancy,” Noah murmured, after an associate rushed over and welcomed us, then whisked away my garment bag. A few crew members were hurrying around doing final checks on a small jet, while a pair of flight attendants waited beside the stairs to greet us.
It probably seemed excessive, but I had a specific reason for wanting a private flight today. I didn’t want to mention that right now though, so I just left it at, “Well, it’s my last day in broadcasting. Why not do it up in style?” That was true, too, even if it wasn’t my main motivation.
Kel turned to me and said, “I’ve been so focused on moving out of the pink Victorian that I haven’t paid enough attention to what today means to you! Just like me, you’re closing a chapter in your life, and that’s a big deal.”
“I won’t be sorry to see it go,” I told him, as we crossed the terminal to the jet. “I never wanted that career. It was what my dad wanted for me.” In fact, most of my life had been tailored to my dad and his expectations, but that was ending today.
As we got settled inside the posh cream and tan cabin, I said, “I ordered some breakfast for us. It’s a short flight to L.A., barely an hour and a half, but I figured it was best to eat now. Things will be hectic once we land.”
Something was worrying me, though. In fact, it was making my gut churn, and once we were in the air and breakfast was served, I could barely manage more than a couple of bites.
But I didn’t talk about it, in case it all fell apart. The last thing I wanted was to get Kel and Noah’s hopes up, just to disappoint them. Fortunately, they attributed my nervousness to my upcoming TV appearance.
Once we landed in L.A., a limo was waiting to drive us across town. Noah and Kel were so excited when we got to the TV studio. They took in everything, chatting excitedly as I pointed out some of the highlights.
I checked us in, and after we all got lanyards with day passes, a production assistant brought us to my dressing room. It had a comfortable couch, a table loaded with snacks, and a big TV, and I told them, “You’ll be able to watch the live feed from here. I have to meet with the producer beforehand, and then I’ll go to the set and meet with the hosts to discuss our segment.”
Someone from hair and makeup arrived a few minutes later to get me camera-ready. After she took off, I changed into the suit I’d brought and stuffed my street clothes and sneakers into the garment bag. Then I took a deep breath, turned to my boyfriends, and asked, “How do I look?”
Noah murmured, “So beautiful. My god, baby, you take my breath away.”
Kel grinned and squeezed my hand. “What Noah said. I want to kiss you, but I don’t want to mess up your makeup.”
“Kiss me anyway.” After both he and Noah planted a kiss on my lips, I said, “Okay, this is it. I’ll want to leave as soon as I’m off the air, just so you know.” I headed for the door, but then I paused and glanced at them. “Be sure to watch, okay?”
“There’s no way we’d miss it,” Noah assured me, and I nodded and left the room.
Once I was alone in the hallway, I leaned against the wall and took a moment to get myself together. Then I went to find the producer.
Saul Bloomberg was in his late sixties, and he’d been in the business for decades. He greeted me warmly and asked, “So tell me, kid, how’s your father? It’s always such a pleasure to work with him. He’s truly one of the greats, on and off the field.”
“He’s fine at the moment. That might change though, if you let me make an announcement when I’m on the air.”
Saul raised a bushy brow, and his dark eyes lit up behind his glasses. He sensed a potential ratings boost, the same way a shark sensed blood in the water. “Come into my office, kid. We’ve got a few minutes before airtime, so let’s talk.”
He shut the door behind us and took a seat beside me, in one of the two chairs in front of his cluttered desk. Then he asked, “So, what’s this about?”
I wiped my sweaty palms on my thighs and took a deep breath. My heart was pounding, and I wondered for a moment if I actually had enough courage to do this. But then, I thought about Kel and Noah and how much they meant to me, and I said, “I’ve been keeping a secret, and if it’s okay with you, I’d like to reveal it today, on your show.”
* * *
The next half-hour passed in a blur. After my meeting with Saul, I was brought to the set, where I met with the three hosts and other guest commentator. We went over talking points and season highlights, while the sound crew set us up with mics and earpieces.
Then Gary, the lead host, listened to something coming through his earpiece and turned to me. “I’ve just been told you’re getting two minutes before we cut to commercial for some kind of announcement. You returning to the game, Royce?”
