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By the two-minute warning of the fourth quarter, we were tied as our team headed into the red zone. If we could score here, the game was over and none of us wanted to leave it up to our field goal kicker.

I took the snap and dropped back, searching for any open receiver, but again, the St. Francis defense wasn’t fucking around. Except…there was a hole through the defenders if I could run a slant route to the left.

So I tucked the ball, planted my heel and pushed off, running my ass off, dodging defenders who tried to snag me up and then I fell across the end zone as the crowd went crazy.

My teammates pulled me to my feet and banged their hands against my back, my ass and my helmet as they cheered for me.

But I pushed them off as I ran toward the back of the end zone, pulling my helmet off as I jumped the pads and climbed up the railing to where Andy and Caitlyn were screaming for me.

I handed the ball to Andy and hesitated, desperately wanting to kiss him, but afraid he’d be angry at me for doing so in such a public place.

But he wrapped his hand around the back of my neck and pulled me into a quick kiss, blushing slightly as he pulled away and we heard the crowd roaring even louder.

I winked at him before jumping down to rejoin my team, accepting another round of ass slaps along with some good natured cat-calling.

“Let’s finish this,” I said, leading the offense back to the sidelines so our defense could close out the game and I could go home and really celebrate.

Chapter Thirty-Four

~Andy~

“Mr. Simpson,” Monsignor O’Shea said, opening his door and smiling at me. “How can I help you?”

“Do you have a minute to talk?”

“Andy, I always have time for you,” he insisted, stepping back and motioning for me to enter.

I took a seat in the chair that I really felt I’d spent way too much time in already this semester and faced O’Shea as he settled behind his desk.

“I won’t be going into the seminary program,” I said, spitting the words out quickly. I wanted to get this conversation over with.

“Color me shocked,” he said.

“Yeah.” I blew out a sigh. “I’m aware that everyone knew long before I did. But sir, I really did want to become a priest.”

“I know you did,” he assured me. “And I know that the decision to join the seminary was not taken lightly. Just as I know your decision not to wasn’t an easy one.”

“No, sir,” I agreed. “I just never expected…”

“I’m not sure any of us saw this outcome playing out as it has,” he said, chuckling softly. “In fact, when I agreed to ask you to tutor Mr. Hix, I was more worried that the two of you would kill each other. How pleased I am to have been wrong about that.”

“You were at the game on Saturday,” I said.

“Indeed I was. And it was quite a win.” He grinned at me. “So, have you given any thought to what you’ll do with yourself now? Not that there’s any rush to decide, of course.”

“I still want to study religion,” I told him. “My fascination hasn’t changed. Just my entire vision of how my life was going to look.”

“We write our own endings, Mr. Simpson,” O’Shea said. “And now, you’ll be creating a whole new beginning, as well. I’m very happy for you, Andy. I hope you know that you’ll always have a place in this school, and in this congregation.”

“Thank you, sir,” I said standing up and offering him my hand. “I think I’ve taken up enough of your time.”

“My door is always open. And please convey that message to Mr. Hix, as well.”

I nodded before turning and heading back out of his office. That hadn’t been nearly as difficult as I’d expected it to be. Then again, like I’d told O’Shea, everyone seemed to know my decision before I did. So there was no one left to shock.

Well…my parents. But I figured that could wait a while.

“Princess!” Trevor threw his arm around my shoulder as he jogged up next to me, squeezing tightly and pulling me sideways to kiss the top of my head. “How did it go with O’Shea?”