Same Night, Shane's House, 9:38 P.M...

Exhaustion, elation, and ending. Those are the three words that pretty much summed up how our favorite Irish knucklehead was feeling. The game he had played a few hours was absolutely grueling, but the climax was so worth it. He really did it. He really became a champion today. This man buckled down, and put himself through months of pushing his body to unknown limits. And to top it off, he did it with the people he cared about. All of them played a part in his success. His team, obviously, since you can't win a championship by yourself. (Not even LeBron James... Go fuck yourselves.) The cheerleaders, especially his girl, Bayley, and to a certain extent, Liv Morgan. If you remember, Liv first met Shane while with Becky. Since then, they had developed a small relationship. Behind the scenes, if you will. They'd talk whenever they would run into each other in the halls. Liv greatly appreciated what he had done for Becky with the whole Dean thing.

"I've been trying to tell her to just talk to him for years now, but she wouldn't listen. I'm glad you came around to help knock some sense into her." She joked in a past conversation.

Getting back to the original point, the cheerleaders of course, played a part in motivating. Not only because it was their purpose to begin with, but the pre game ritual Shane would go through with them, became something he would really look forward to. It kept him going in a sense. Think about it, Alexa is the head cheerleader. Meaning she was there, at every home game. So basically, he had the support of the love of his life, almost every step of the way. Talk about motivation.

Then you had the two main friends he had made outside of the team or the cheer squad, Dean and Becky. Dean was there from the beginning. From the very first day Shane arrived, Ambrose had his back. In fact, when you think about it, if it wasn't for Dean? That day at Alexa's house where she opened up to him for the first time never would've happened. That, in turn, means Alexa and Shane probably wouldn't have gone on to form the relationship they did in the end. Now we get to Becky. Although not being around for that long, the fiery haired lass quickly became a factor in Shane's life. Her quick wit, charm, and overall friendliness, made her hit it off with Price almost instantly. Since she had already known what it was like to perform in high pressure situations, being the lacrosse captain and all, she was able to give words of encouragement that actually had some oomph behind them. Finally, you had Papa Price himself.

"Keep working in the gym, ya skinny prick!"

Shane chuckled when he remembered those words. Yeah, his dad might bust his balls every time he gets the chance, but it's from a place of love. And honestly, he couldn't wait to tell him when he got home. Unfortunately, Kevin was unable to attend on account of work, but that was just fine to Shane. His dad's a hard worker, and he knows it. He couldn't have asked for a better father. In his mind, there was no man greater.

Finally, we get to last piece of the puzzle. The girl that hopped back into his life, and instantly became one of his biggest influences, Paige Knight. The Brit motivated him like no one else could. Although she didn't really care for American football, she still was behind him 100 percent all the way. That's why he felt the need to call her and tell her the good news. Price took out his phone, and did just that. One ring in, and she answered immediately.

"Hey, love. What's up?"

"Oh, nothing. I'm just over here licking my wounds. Ya boy had a big game today after all. A championship game to be exact."

Paige gasped.

"Oh my gosh, that was today? Shit, I wanted to wish you good luck before it. Sorry."

"Oh, don't worry. I knew I had you in my corner regardless. You and the rest of the fam."

"Well... Did you win?" Paige asked anxiously.

Shane laughed and sucked his teeth.

"Woman, what kind of question is that? Of course I fuckin won. I'm Shane Mothafuckin Price!"

Paige giggled at his feigned narcissism.

"Shut it, ya daft prick."

"Yeah, but no seriously. We won, and I still can't believe it. I'm a champion, legitimately. Isn't that crazy?" Price lamented.

"I don't think it's that crazy. You worked hard, and it paid off. You always had it in you. This is just you realizing your potential. I'm proud of you." Paige complemented him.

"Aw shucks, Midnight. You're gonna make a bro cry a little. Thank you."

"No problem... Even though you play that bastardized jockfest of a game, and not the real, dignified, and respectable game of football." She teased.

Price came right back at her.

"Yeah, respectable. When I see Suarez biting people, and players flopping after getting tapped on the damn kneecap, that's the first word that comes to mind. Respectable."

"Better than overweight Meatheads slamming into each other like a bunch of looney bastards."

"Pssh. Whatever. Americans are the best at everything... Except foreign relations, but nevermind that."

"If you say so, Shane. If you say so."

The Irish boy chuckled.

"I do say so. Anyway, dude. One week left and I'm coming back."

"Even though I told you it wasn't a big deal? I know. But, I'm not gonna lie. I'm really looking forward to it. Have you told your dad yet?" She asked.

"Uh huh, last week. Surprisingly, he was completely okay with it. I thought he wouldn't be considering I'm gonna be away for Thanksgiving, but he didn't mind. He said that there's some things in life that a man's gotta do. Also, the fact that I'm going over there for you didn't hurt, cause he likes you. Says that you're a good influence on me. I don't know where he got that idea from though." Shane joked.

Paige scoffed like she was offended.

"Um, excuse me. I am a role model, sir. I'm a stand up human being, with morals."

"Role model my ass. I've seen YOUR ass too many times for that to even be remotely close to the truth. I have a whole nude picture of you in my phone for God's sake."

"Oh really? You still haven't deleted that picture? Interesting."

"Why is that interesting... Oh, wait. No, no, I haven't done that, no."

"What? I mean technically, you've wanked to me before." She pointed out, continuing her usual teasing.

"That was before I had a whole girlfriend!"

"Okay, so why do you still have it then?"

"Because... Because..." Shane struggled.

"I'm waaaiting."

He gave up.

"Fuck it, I don't know. I just never deleted it, okay?"

Paige giggled at his nervousness.

"You're blushing right now aren't you?"

"... Shut up." He replied sheepishly, indicating that he was, in fact blushing at the moment.

"See, no matter how much you claim to be immune to my methods, I always find a way to get you all nice and flustered."

"Dude, you suck."

"Nah, you love me. I wonder though. I know you get nervous easily, so did you panic during the game at all?"

"Actually, no. I'm usually calm whenever I'm playing. It's best that you keep your composure when you're on the field. One slip up or careless mistake, and you might just end up costing your team a win." He explained.

"That's surprising. But still, it's a title game. You must've had some tension built up inside of you. That's a lot of pressure."

"Well... I kinda relieved that tension the night before. Alexa helped me out a little." He admitted.

Paige, having the dirty mind that she did, immediately understood what he meant by that. She smirked.

"I see. You two... Did some pre game rituals?"

"You uh... You could say that... Alright, I'm gonna be honest with you. She sucked me, Midnight. She really did."

"Haha! No way! Shane finally got his first BJ?" Paige excitedly asked.

"Yup, and it was fucking amazing. If I would've died right then and there, I'd be fine with that."

The pale girl laughed at his exaggeration.

"That good, huh?"

"Dude, I busted in like 3 minutes. Good is an understatement." Shane proclaimed.

"You came in 3 minutes?" She asked, stifling a laugh.

Price blushed again embarrassed.

"Uh... Yeah, yeah I did."

"Nothing to be ashamed of, love. Like I said before, guys don't last bloody 30 minutes. Porn is fake as fuck. You're fine, don't beat yourself up."

"Okay, I won't. Thanks Paige."

Even after reassuring him, the mischievous girl from England still had to have her fun.

"Plus, 3 minutes is nothing. I'd have you blasting off in a minute, minute and a half tops. My tongue skills are on point." She stated braggadociously.

Shane facepalmed.

"How? How did I know you'd take it there?"

"Oh, lighten up ya wanker. I'm just jerkin' ya." She joked.

The facepalm was even harder this time.

"When I come up there, you're getting the mother of all noogies." He told her.

"Touch one hair on my head, and I bite you."

"You wouldn't."

"Fuckin try me, mate."

Shane rolled his eyes and yawned.

"Whatever."

"Well, you're obviously tired. You need to take your pretty little blonde head to bed." Paige pointed out.

"Guess you're right. Okay, see you soon, Midnight."

See you soon, champ."

And with that, the conversation ended. Shane hung up the phone, and got ready to go to bed. Meanwhile, Paige was sitting on her couch, just thinking. She was all giddy about him arriving in a few days.

"He's finally coming back... Coming back... To me. God, I've missed him so much."