Breaking the Playbook [COMPLETED]

Chapter 45

BROOKS' POV

The city was electric. The morning after the game was not just a new day—it was an entire fucking spectacle. The streets roared with the echoes of celebration, each honk of a car horn and cheer from the crowd adding to the symphony of triumph that filled the air. The sidewalks were choked with fans in team colors, and their faces lit up with joy and pride. News vans and cameras were everywhere, turning every street corner into a chaotic media circus. It was a sight to behold, a bizarre mix of euphoria and invasion.

I tried to shake off the haze of sleep, but my phone was incessantly buzzing with notifications. Each beep was a reminder of the frenzy that had overtaken our lives. Headlines screamed at me from my screen: "BROOKS AND LOLO: THE GAME-CHANGERS," "THE WINNING KISS THAT SHOOK THE NATION." It was hard to believe that a single moment had catapulted us into this media frenzy, but here we were.

Lolo stirred beside me, her face barely visible beneath a tangled mess of curls. She groaned softly, her eyes barely open. "What the hell time is it?" she mumbled.

"Too fucking early," I replied, brushing a stray lock of hair from her face. The city outside was already buzzing, a stark contrast to the tranquility of our apartment. "It looks like we're in for a wild day."

Her eyes widened as she took in the scene outside the window. "Jesus, is this what victory looks like?"

"Apparently," I said, trying to keep my voice steady despite the nerves rattling around inside me. "We should get ready. The media's not going to give us a break."

As we got dressed, my phone continued to ring with relentless urgency. It was my agent, Dave. His voice was a mix of excitement and stress. "Brooks, this is massive. You and Lolo are the talk of the town. We've got interviews lined up all day. The networks want you, the talk shows want you, hell, even the local news wants a piece of you."

"Understood," I said, my voice barely containing the exasperation I felt. "We're just trying to get ready."

Our day began with a whirlwind of media appearances. We were whisked away in a black SUV, its tinted windows shielding us from the throng of fans and reporters. The city outside was a blur of flashing lights and shouting voices, a chaotic celebration of our victory and personal drama.

Our first stop was a morning talk show. The studio was a frenzy of bright lights and flashing cameras. The hosts greeted us with wide smiles and questions that felt invasive despite their cheerfulness. "Brooks, Lolo, welcome! You two have been all over the news today. How does it feel to be the talk of the town?"

Lolo squeezed my hand, her smile wavering slightly but masked with confidence. "It's overwhelming but amazing. The support we've received has been incredible."

The cameras clicked incessantly, capturing every moment as we answered questions about the game and our relationship. The hosts seemed fascinated by every detail, their curiosity bordering on prying. It was surreal to hear our story told by people who weren't there but had managed to weave together every aspect of our lives.

After the talk show, we were shuffled through a series of interviews. Photographers were relentless, their flashes blinding as they captured every angle of our tired but triumphant faces. The media had turned our victory into a spectacle, with the lines between celebration and exploitation growing ever more blurred.

By midday, the media frenzy showed no signs of letting up. We returned to our apartment for a brief respite, only to find it surrounded by reporters and cameras. The microphones were shoved in our faces, their questions a mix of curiosity and demand.

"Brooks, Lolo! What's next for you two?" A reporter shouted.

I glanced at Lolo, her face showing signs of fatigue but also a steely resolve. "We're taking it one step at a time," I said. "For now, we're just soaking in the moment."

The day continued with more interviews, radio shows, and media appearances. Each one was a new opportunity for the media to spin our story, amplifying every detail from the game-winning play to our now-iconic kiss.

As evening approached, we finally managed to escape the media circus for a quiet dinner. The restaurant was a serene oasis compared to the chaos outside. The food was delicious, but the conversation was subdued, with our minds still racing from the relentless media onslaught.

"Can you believe this?" Lolo asked quietly. "It's like the world is obsessed with us."

I nodded, taking a sip of my drink. "It's surreal. But despite the craziness, it's kind of incredible. We've worked so hard for this, and now we're sharing it with everyone."

The night ended with a final round of interviews, this time via video calls. As we wrapped up, I felt a deep sense of relief. The day had been a whirlwind, but it was also a testament to everything we'd accomplished. The stress and scrutiny seemed to fade in the face of the overwhelming support we'd received.

As we walked back to our apartment hand in hand, the city was quieter, the frenzy of the day giving way to a more subdued night. I glanced at Lolo, her face bathed in the soft glow of the streetlights.

"Ready for a quiet night in?" I asked, a smile on my lips.

She laughed softly, her eyes reflecting a mix of exhaustion and happiness. "Absolutely. I think we've earned it."

COACH'S POV

Weeks had passed since the whirlwind of the game and the media frenzy that followed. The chaos had died down, and life had slowly returned to normal. The headlines had shifted, and the media circus had moved on to the next big story. But the echoes of our victory and the drama that had unfolded still lingered.

I sat in my office, the room quiet except for the soft hum of the air conditioning. The recent events had given me time to reflect on everything that had happened. My daughter, Lolo, had faced the storm with remarkable strength, and Brooks had proven himself both on and off the field.

I'd been skeptical, my pride and my protective instincts often clashing with the reality of their success. But seeing the way they had handled the media storm and the way they had stood together made me realize that my concerns had been overshadowed by their achievements.

As I read through the latest news articles and watched the highlights of the game, I couldn't help but feel a sense of pride. Lolo had faced her challenges head-on, and Brooks had emerged as a true champion. Their relationship, despite the hurdles, had shown that they were more than just a couple caught in the limelight—they were a team, united in their journey.

I picked up the phone and dialed Lolo's number. Her voice was warm and familiar as she answered. "Hey, Dad."

"Hey, kiddo," I said, trying to keep my tone casual. "I've been following the news. It looks like you and Brooks have done pretty well."

There was a pause on the other end, and I could almost hear the smile in her voice. "Yeah, it's been a crazy ride, but we're doing okay."

"I wanted to let you know," I continued, "that I'm proud of you. The family name is still intact. I've been a hardass, but seeing everything you've accomplished has made me realize how much you've both grown."

Her voice was soft but filled with emotion. "Thanks, Dad. That means a lot."

"And Brooks," I added, "he's shown a lot of character. I guess I underestimated him."

"Yeah, he's a good guy," Lolo said. "I'm lucky to have him."

"I know you are," I said, my voice thick with emotion. "Just keep doing what you're doing. You've made me proud, and I'm glad you're both finding your way through all this."

The media frenzy had finally subsided, and what remained was a sense of accomplishment and unity. My daughter had faced the storm with resilience, and Brooks had proven himself in the most challenging of circumstances. For once, I was able to put aside my doubts and embrace the success they had achieved.

The family name was saved, my daughter was happy, and everything seemed to be falling into place.