Despite that this party was to memorialize the accomplishments of her husband, Madi’s focus was simply on not bawling her eyes out or feeling any more shame about the fact that the entire football team had seen what she looked like spread eagle. She now knew what a Play Boy pinup model felt like—or did she?
Brett seemed to sense her reserve and a thick knuckle grazed her cheekbone. “Sunflower, you ok?”
Madi grinned and nodded, pulling willpower from the fact that she had her own streak of accomplishments to list, and being Hunter Thomas’s whore wasn’t one of them.
“Just ready for a drink,” Madi stated and allowed him to help her into the car.
“Well then, enjoy a glass of champagne on me.” He winked and settled in beside her, grabbing a bottle of the chilled libation he’d just mentioned. He poured her a glass then one for himself. “Here’s to Hunter. May he be catching deep passes in Heaven.”
Madi smiled and nodded. She was still hurt by what her husband did and knew she’d get over it, eventually, but that didn’t change the mood she was in now.
“C’mon, Mad, what’s the matter? What aren’t you sayin’?”
“I’m sorry, I just… It’s hard to face all these people now, knowing that…that they know what my insides look like.” She held back her sniffle even as the tears hit her eyes.
“Oh, Madi. I’m so sorry. I begged him to take them down. I begged him to stop putting them up. It made me sick to…” Brett trailed off, but his free fist clenched at his side. She could tell he’d had a big problem with it but, just like every other wrong Hunter had made, Brett couldn’t pay for the other man’s sins.
“I can’t help but be angry. I know it’s stupid, but it still hurts that he would hold me in so little regard.”
“He made poor decisions, often. He was full of himself, but he also had a big heart too.”
“A heart as big as his ego.”
Brett laughed. “Still, you meant the world to him, Madi. You have to see that.”
Madi attempted to rein her emotions in again. “Nobody’s perfect.”
“No, they’re not. So, tonight, let’s focus on the good that was Hunter. The Hunter that made us laugh. The Hunter that we loved. Not on his many flaws, alright?”
“Spoken like a true best friend.” Madi toasted Brett and said, “To Hunter.”
“To Hunter.”
They pulled up to the banquet hall and Brett got out, assisted Madi, and escorted them both inside.
She smiled and greeted those around her: current and former players, their wives, administrators, coaches, big names in the NFL, her in-laws, her parents and her sister.
Travis and Skyla, Val and Linc, Coach Haskins, Coach Cavanaugh, everyone looked great in their formal attire. Pax came up and kissed Madi’s cheek, followed by Langley, Josh, and TJ. Many players she recognized, some she didn’t—the old, the new, former players from other teams. Her face grew tired from smiling so much, and Madi was glad when Brett pulled her into a dance, grabbing another glass of champagne for her. He knew exactly what she was thinking, he always had, as if they had an unspoken language between them…like Travis and Sky had in Cancun, which made Madi’s heart flutter.
Soon, they were being ushered to a podium and Brett was giving a speech, following the commissioner and her father.
Brett looked to Madi as he spoke, his eyes piercing her soul. “Hunter Thomas was my best friend, and as many of you know, one of my favorite targets for the thunderbolts I throw.” He got a roaring cheer from the crowd and grinned big. “But Hunter was more than just a great wide receiver; he was like my brother. I loved him, and I miss him.” Brett looked down and Madi could see this next part was hard for him. “I was with him when we were hit, and I was with him when he took his last breath. I made pro—” He sniffled, lowering his head, and Madi had to look away from him to keep from breaking down, but looked back after a moment. “I made promises to him, promises I intend to keep; promises I take very seriously. I know that if he were here today to see all of us, he would be thrilled with the football team we have in place. I’m looking forward to practicing with you all and making us a team worthy of the title of gods.” Another roar bellowed through the crowd. “I’m gonna make Hermes proud. And I’m dedicating this year to him. I promise to give you my all, Gladiators. Follow your QB, Zeus, because we’re going to the Super Bowl. This memorial is for you, brother.”
Brett kissed his two fingers, tapped them on his chest where his heart was, and pointed up to Heaven as he looked up. Madi closed her eyes against the tears that came, and applause exploded around them. Brett approached her, pulled her in for a hug and embraced her, then kissed her cheek. “I love you, Sunflower.”
She sniffled and pulled back. “I love you, Cap.”
She approached the podium, looking through her thick tears onto the faces before her. “How can I follow that?” she asked with a laugh and got one out of everyone else. “Seriously though, I want to thank all of you—this team, my friends and family—for all your love and support in this difficult time. Hunter would’ve been very appreciative and glad you’ve all come together like this for him. He—” she sniffled. “He, uh, loved being the center of attention. Although,” she laughed again through her tears and looked up, “you didn’t have to do it like this, love.” Her eyes fell back to the audience. “I miss him. I miss his funny, crazy side and even his sarcasm.
