Breaking the Playbook [COMPLETED]

Epilogue

BROOKS' POV

Four months. It had been four months since that game, since that fucking insane day when everything changed for us. Now, we were standing in a brightly lit studio, cameras flashing all around us, the buzz of the crew blending into the background like white noise. Lolo was next to me, her hand firmly in mine, and even though we'd done a million things like this since that game, this moment felt different. It was quieter somehow, more reflective, like the calm after the storm.

The stylist was fussing over Lolo's hair, making sure every curl was perfectly in place. I couldn't help but smile, watching her go through the motions with a patience I knew she didn't always have. She caught me staring and raised an eyebrow, her lips curling into that half-smile that always drove me crazy.

"What?" she asked, her voice soft but tinged with curiosity.

"Just admiring," I replied, my grin widening. "You know, it's hard to believe we're here, doing this."

Lolo chuckled, shaking her head. "Yeah, it's been a wild ride. But hey, we're still standing, right?"

"More than standing," I said, squeezing her hand. "We're fucking thriving."

The photographer called us over, signaling that it was time to start shooting. We moved to the center of the set, a massive white backdrop stretching out behind us. The lights were blinding, but we'd gotten used to that by now. The way the world had lit up around us after that first big win—it was like nothing we'd ever experienced before. And after winning yet another game last week, the attention only amplified.

"Okay, let's start with some casual shots," the photographer said, his voice calm but authoritative. "Brooks, stand behind Lolo and wrap your arms around her. We want to capture that connection."

I moved into position, my hands resting on Lolo's hips as she leaned back against me. The click of the camera was rapid, capturing every subtle movement, every breath. But it wasn't just about the pose—it was about everything that had led up to this moment.

As the camera snapped away, memories flashed through my mind. The early mornings, the grueling practices, and the media frenzy that consumed us after that game. It had been intense, no doubt about it. But through it all, Lolo had been my anchor. When the world seemed to go fucking insane, she was the one thing that kept me grounded.

The photographer directed us to change positions, asking Lolo to sit on a stool while I stood beside her, my hand on her shoulder. The shots were supposed to be intimate, reflective of the journey we'd been on. And that's exactly what it felt like—a journey. One that had tested us, challenged us, but ultimately made us stronger.

"You guys look great," the photographer said, his voice muffled by the distance as he adjusted his camera. "Let's do a few more close-ups."

Lolo turned slightly, her eyes meeting mine, and for a moment, the world outside that studio fell away. It was just the two of us, like it had been so many times before. The noise, the chaos, the pressure—all of it faded into the background. In that instant, all I could think about was how far we'd come.

"Hey," she whispered, breaking the silence. "You doing okay?"

I nodded, a small smile playing on my lips. "Yeah. Just thinking about everything."

"Good things, I hope."

"Always," I said, leaning down to kiss her forehead. "It's all been worth it."

The photographer captured the moment, the camera clicking rapidly as we stood there, wrapped up in each other. It was a strange kind of peace, knowing that the world was still watching, still invested in our story, but not letting it consume us. We were here together, and that was all that mattered.

The shoot continued, with the photographer guiding us through various poses, each meant to tell a different part of our story. We laughed, we whispered to each other, and we let our guard down. And in those moments, I realized just how far we'd come—not just as individuals, but as a team.

"Okay, now for the cover shot," the photographer announced, his voice full of anticipation. "Brooks, I want you to hold Lolo close—really close. We're going for something powerful here."

I pulled Lolo into my arms, our bodies pressing together as we faced the camera. It was a pose we'd done a hundred times before, but this time it felt different. There was a sense of finality to it, like we were closing one chapter and opening another.

The camera clicked away, capturing every angle and every detail. And as the lights flashed around us, I couldn't help but think about what this moment represented. It wasn't just about the game, the fame, or the headlines. It was about the journey we'd been on—the ups and downs, the victories and defeats, the love that had carried us through it all.

"Perfect," the photographer said, his voice filled with satisfaction. "That's a wrap."

The crew began to pack up, and the energy in the room slowly dissipated as the shoot came to an end. But as we stood there, still in each other's arms, I knew that this was just the beginning. We'd been through hell and back, but we'd come out the other side stronger than ever.

Lolo looked up at me, her eyes sparkling with that mix of determination and warmth that I'd fallen in love with. "So, what's next?" She asked, her voice full of curiosity and excitement.

I shrugged, a grin spreading across my face. "Whatever we want, babe. The world's ours for the taking."

She laughed, a sound that was both joyful and relieved. "I like the sound of that."

We left the studio hand in hand, the city buzzing with life around us. The past four months had been a whirlwind, but standing there on the sidewalk with Lolo by my side, it all felt worth it. The media had followed our every move, the fans had cheered us on, and through it all, we'd stayed true to ourselves.

The magazine cover would hit the stands in a few weeks, and I knew it would be another wave of attention, another round of interviews and appearances. But this time, it didn't feel overwhelming. It felt like a celebration, a recognition of everything we'd achieved together.

As we walked down the street, the sun setting behind the skyline, I couldn't help but feel a sense of peace. We'd been through so much, but in the end, we'd come out on top. And now, with the world at our feet, I knew that whatever came next, we'd face it together.

Lolo squeezed my hand, her touch grounding me in the moment. "You know, we've come a long way," she said, her voice soft but full of meaning.

I nodded, my heart swelling with pride and love. "Yeah, we have. And I wouldn't trade any of it for the world."

When the cover was everywhere. Social media was flooded with images of us, with the headline reading, "Brooks and Lolo: A Love Story for the Ages." The response was overwhelming, but in the best possible way. Fans, friends, and even strangers were reaching out, congratulating us on everything we'd achieved.