Chapter 75 – The Celebration at the Café
The café was glowing.
Lights strung along the ceiling flickered like stars, laughter spilled from every corner, and the smell of cinnamon and coffee floated in the air. Music played low in the background as the entire town poured in—students, teachers, parents, neighbors. The Wolves were local legends now.
Ryan and Ben were behind the counter, wearing matching black aprons, trying to keep up with orders while also soaking in the endless congratulations.
"Two hot chocolates, extra whipped cream," Ryan called out, sliding mugs across the counter. Savannah leaned on the glass pastry case beside him, still in her cheer uniform, flashing a smile.
Anna was at a corner table with her mother, watching Ryan from across the room. Their eyes met for a brief moment—long enough to share a smile before he looked away, cheeks tinged with color.
Mr. James sat near the window, sipping his black coffee like always. Mrs. Harper danced with her husband in a cleared-out space near the entrance. Coach Daniels was surrounded by players and parents, telling the story of Ryan's final shot for the tenth time—and somehow, it got more dramatic every round.
In the middle of it all, Richard Morgan stood quietly, holding a cup he hadn't sipped from.
He watched Ryan move through the café, smiling softly as the boy handed a cookie to a small kid and high-fived one of the junior players. Something about the way Ryan moved—his posture, his calm seriousness, the quiet intensity in his eyes—it struck Richard like lightning.
He turned.
Sarah was near the kitchen, laughing with Jack.
Richard walked toward her.
"Sarah," he said quietly.
She turned. Her smile faded just a little when she saw him.
"Richard," she replied. "Didn't expect to see you still here."
He nodded, eyes flicking past her to Ryan again.
"I have to ask you something," Richard said. "And I want the truth."
She stiffened. Jack stepped aside, sensing the tension.
"What is it?"
Richard's voice dropped.
"Is he… mine?"
Sarah's breath caught. The sounds of the café seemed to fade into the background.
"You really want to do this now?"
"Yes," he said. "Because I saw myself in him tonight. The way he carries himself… the way he plays. It's like looking into a mirror I didn't know I had."
Sarah set her coffee down.
"You don't get to do this, Richard. Not now."
"Why not?" His voice cracked slightly. "Because you think I wouldn't care? Because I was a stupid kid back then?"
"You told me to abort him, Richard."
The words hit like a slap. Richard staggered back a step.
"I was scared," he said, barely above a whisper. "I was seventeen and an idiot. But if he's my son… I want to be in his life."
"It doesn't work like that," Sarah said. "You don't get to show up with a guilty conscience and rewrite the past."
"I'm not trying to rewrite it," Richard said. "I'm trying to be part of his future. Even if it's late. Even if I don't deserve it."
Silence fell between them.
"I raised him alone," Sarah said. "He's been through so much already. I protected him from everything—including you."
Richard nodded slowly.
"I get that. I do. But if you can look at him—at who he is—and not see that he deserves to know where he comes from… then maybe we're both being selfish."
Sarah's eyes welled up.
"I never stopped thinking about what he'd say if he found out. About the hurt. The anger."
"Let him decide," Richard said softly. "Please. I just want a chance."
Jack, standing nearby, stepped closer and put a gentle hand on Sarah's shoulder. She looked between them—between the man who helped her all these years, and the one who once broke her.
"I'm not promising anything," she whispered. "But maybe… someday. If the time's right."
Richard gave a small nod.
"It's all I ask."