Page 53 of Full Court Love

But then I hear his low, distinct voice saying my name, and I know that history is repeating itself.

Shoving past a few teammates, I push open the door and see my dad being blocked by our arena security guards. He’s yelling something about needing to come back here, that he’smy dad and should have clearance. When he sees me, I try to smile. But then the tirade starts.

“What the hell was that second half? I mean, come on. You embarrassed yourself. No one is giving you any more deals after that display.”

My face is burning, but I don’t have time to worry about embarrassment. I need to get him out of here. Where is my mom? She’s usually at least another set of hands and a calming voice to get him to move.

With my arm over my dad’s shoulder, I start to steer toward the nearest exit. Fortunately it’s close. Then right at the same moment, Coach Daniels comes out of the locker room, and my mom and Lucy come around the hallway corner, chatting.

Everyone falls silent when they witness the scene before them: me, still in my jersey, forcefully guiding my sweaty, beer-stained, drunken father toward the exit. The silence only gives him room to further express his belligerent thoughts.

“Coach, don’t you ever go benching my son again. This team is trash without him, and you know it. I can’t stomach the fact that–”

I cut him off. “Enough, Dad. Sorry, Coach. We were just leaving.”

Coach Daniels doesn’t react. He just nods and steps out of the way. Unfortunately, this gives Lucy and my mom a better view of what’s happening. My dad is slow to react to me cutting him off, but once he realizes what happened, he’s pissed.

“You think a new car makes you better than me? I gave you everything. I’m the reason you’re here, and you tried to hide rewards from me. Too good for the old man, huh? You ungrateful–”

We’re still staggering toward the door as he hurls slurred insults.

At this moment, I look up.

I see Lucy’s face, heartbroken and sad. I’ve never seen her face that way, and I can’t bear the thought that I’m the cause.

Then I look at my mom’s face, and she’s wearing the same expression.

The exact same one.

It’s like I’m seeing Lucy’s future.

Or what her future would be like if I stayed in her life.

Now my own heart is shattering. I can’t do this to her. I refuse to hurt her. The inevitable suffering she would experience would never be worth it for my happiness.

It’s crystal clear now that Lucy deserves better than this.

She deserves better than me.

CHAPTER 23

LUCY

Ihave called Jordan close to fifty times since yesterday. No answer. I’ve been met with radio silence. I wanted to give him space after last night, but I know his parents left this morning. I already had practice, and my game isn’t until tomorrow. My day is clear, and I want to be with him.

I mean, I always want to be with him.

That’s obvious.

But especially today, after everything he went through yesterday, I want to take care of him. I want to comfort him. I want him to know it didn’t change my feelings whatsoever. I still want to be with him more than anything.

I’m not naïve, either. I recognize that the weight he carries will become a weight we share. But I want that burden if it lightens his. I might not be able to take away any of the pain or hurt his father causes, but I sure as hell can love him through it all.

I grab my keys, storming to my car as the realization washes over me.

I’m so angry at him for ignoring me right now…because I love him. How dare he keep me at arm’s length when all I really want is to hold him and kiss him and tell him I’m not going anywhere? He has no right to do that.

After a short drive, I park on the curb and jog up the stairs to his apartment. I bang my fist on the door, and Tyler opens it. His eyes widen.