After meeting each other in their last year of high school, Spencer and Olivia have now entered their third year of college at USC. And their bond has been solid, but when big decisions in their respective careers arise, they find themselves on very...
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"I'm so proud of you," I say as I squeeze his cheeks, making him smile.
"Thank you, love!" He says with a cute wink.
"College championship here we come, baby," I shout and he laughs. "One hundred and sixty yards and a TD! You didn't leave any crumbs out there, huh?"
"Cam and the Bruins are next," he says with little enthusiasm as we wait on our car service to pick us up for dinner.
"Was that not the goal?" I ask as I try to figure out why he lacks excitement.
He nods and kisses my forehead. "Of course. But now everything feels super real to me."
"Real?"
"The reason Cam and I ever picked up a football was because we wanted to be just like Darnell. And yet he won't be able to lace up those cleats next week for the championship."
I lift Spencer's chin and he tries to put on a brave smile.
"Oh, you know what? Darnell actually wanted me to give you these, after the win." I say and he looks curiously as I reach in my bag for two envelopes before getting into the car.
I have no clue what it is but it's obviously special since he asked me to give it to Spencer immediately following the win.
"Open this first," he reads the sticky note on the first envelope and does just that.
Spencer opens it and I see a pretty worn piece of paper with stick figure drawings on the back as Spencer instantly tears up.
"What is it?" I ask and he chuckles.
"I can't believe D kept this," he mumbles as he stares in disbelief. "I told you, when we were little kids, we all dreamed of going to the league. One day in middle school, we were bored out of our minds in the after school program. So Darnell came up with this idea that we should draw our NFL draft pictures and write our 'thank yous'."
I smile. "Aww—-"
"This is me, my mom, Cam, Darnell—- and that's my pet lizard, Bo-Bo," he tells me proudly and I laugh.
"What did you write?" I ask as his eyes focus on the letter.
"My handwriting looks like chicken scratch. But I think it says I'd like to thank God, my mom, my big brother Cam, Bo-Bo——"
"—-wait, you thanked the lizard?" I cut him off between laughter.
"I was in a very awkward stage in my life," he jokes and I can't stop giggling. "I'm sorry but that's hilarious!"
"Anyway——" he playfully pivots to read the rest of the letter. "——my coaches, my teammates, my friends, the fans. And last but not least, I want to thank my brother Darnell. He's the best player I know and one day I'm going to be just as good as him."
