Page 70 of Full Court Love
She squeezes my shoulders. We sit there listening to terrible singers, watching people mingle and laugh. I really wish I was back in my room with a vat of popcorn and the peaceful sounds ofThe Officesoothing me to sleep.
Just as my emotions start to come down and I’m about to get up and limp home, Kya sits up straight and smacks my arm.
“What the heck?”
Her eyes are wide, following someone across the room. Then I see him too. He’s making a beeline for the DJ. After an intense conversation with a lot of gesturing, he grabs the mic and steps onto the stage.
Kya looks at me, eyes still wide. “I wouldn’t be so sure that he’s not willing to fight for you.”
I’m tempted to pinch my arm just to be sure this is all real. Jordan is strolling to the middle of the stage, microphone in hand.
My chest is rising and falling quickly as I bite my lip. He squints, searching the crowd. His eyes stop when they meet mine. The glint of passion and mischief has returned. It’s like we’re right back in that YMCA gym.
The first notes of the song hit, and my jaw drops open. A smile erupts on his face.
“‘You’re just too good to be true! Can’t take my eyes off of you…’”
He knows10 Things I Hate About Youis one of my favorite rom-coms of all time. And Patrick singing to Kat? Absolutely epic.
He’s recreating that moment–humiliation included–for me.
The crowd is eating out of the palm of his hand. Everyone is cheering and singing along, but his eyes don’t leave mine. As he belts off-key and spins around the stage, he makes it clear that he’s singing directly to me.
Nearing the end of the song, he jumps off the stage and sashays my way. Damn, the man can’t sing, but he has rhythm and swag to make up for it. My friends are surrounding me, cheering him on as he walks my way.
Shouting out the final line, he tosses the microphone to Tyler, who looks like a proud dad. Jordan is now in front of me. His eyes search mine, looking for confirmation. I cock my head to the side, failing to keep the smirk off my face.
“Not bad. A little pitchy, though.”
I’m aware that all the eyes in the bar are on us as he grabs my hands, pulling me to my feet.
“I missed you, and I’m so sorry. Give me another chance?”
His words come out raspy.
I just nod. That’s all it takes. His hands find my face and he pulls me in for a kiss that makes my legs shaky. Yeah, I really missed him. And this.
It’s a kiss that communicates more than words ever could. In this moment, he’s fighting for me. He’s choosing me. He’s telling me that we’re worth it.
My arms are wrapped around him, and the warmth of his body feels like home. He kisses me like a sailor coming back from sea, lifting me from the ground. The entire place erupts. People are high-fiving and cheering. I hear a couple people yell that we are definitely winning both conference tournaments this year. I feel Jordan’s smile against mine, and as I gently bite his lip, his smile grows.
Pulling away slightly, he takes a breath and looks down at me. “Should we get out of here?”
Again, all I can give him is a smile and a nod.
He scoops me up like I’m made of feathers and struts confidently to the door. This move brings the house down. We end up exiting through a tunnel of screaming fans, high fives, and people taking videos.
When we finally make it through the mob, he carries me the next few blocks to our house. I don’t even try to stop him. I lay my head on his chest and bask in how much I love this man. Every few steps, I glance up to see his beaming smile.
A couple times, he catches me staring and just kisses my forehead.
We stay quiet, smiling like idiots, the whole walk back. Then he carries me up to the porch and gingerly sets me down.
The words spill out of him the second he looks at me.
“I’m sorry, Lucy. I’m sorry I hurt you and I’m sorry I let you down. I’m sorry I didn’t fight for us right away. I know I don’t deserve a second chance, but I’m asking for one because you are it for me.”
His voice catches.