Page 72 of Full Court Love
Then he holds up a fist, which she bumps without speaking.
I bury my head in Jordan’s chest. I’m now certain of a few things.
Number one, I’m never going to live this down.
Number two, I’m bewitched body and soul.
Number three, he completes me.
Number four, I definitely burn for him.
And number five, I have officially fallen in love with Jordan Mitchell.
CHAPTER 30
JORDAN
Ibriefly forgot the internet was a thing. My impulsive stunt was unlike anything I’ve ever done or would ever do again–but we do crazy things for love. And that’s what I’ve been telling every reporter in every interview I’ve had about it since.
It’s conference tournament time, which is already insane in the media department. But now, Lucy and I are viral sensations yet again, so we have a whole slew of extra interviews and appearances. Even theTodayshow sent a reporter to interview us on all the content that’s been circulating–my karaoke solo being the embarrassing cherry on top.
Ordinarily, I’d despise this sort of thing. I’m usually all business and I don’t need distractions during the most important time of the season. But when Lucy is the one quite literally holding my hand through it all, suddenly something torturous feels comfortable and easy.
Plus, if anyone understands the focus required right now, it’s Lucy.
She’s a professional at turning it on when she needs to. She goes from competitive killer to sweet and friendly girl next door all in about .2 seconds.
I’m in awe of her.
In every interview, I can’t help but deflect every compliment to her. Oddly enough, I’m not putting on an act. I genuinely feel like she’s the one who should be elevated here. I simply have the privilege of being the man on her arm while she owns every room she enters.
I get to hold her when she’s nervous and kiss her when she’s happy.
I get to hug her tightly when the pressure of everyone’s expectations becomes too much for her to carry alone.
I get to tell her that she could quit basketball and we could run away to New Zealand and my feelings wouldn’t be any different.
I get to be the one whose arms she throws herself into when this season’s award winners are finally announced and she wins Player of the Year.
I don’t think I’ve ever been prouder.
Both our teams had just arrived in Minneapolis for our conference tournament when it came out. We were milling around the lobby when Rashaun slapped me on the back.
“Hey, man. Congrats!”
“For…?”
He laughed. “Your girl–did you not see the announcement?”
At that moment, Tyler elbowed me in the side and pointed. I turned just in time to see Lucy’s last few running steps toward me.
She was beaming.
I caught her, lifting her off the ground in an embrace that drew cheers from both teams. Her body relaxed into mine. I whispered into her ear. “I’m so proud of you, babe.”
She nuzzled into my neck. “I like when you call me that.”
I set her down and kissed her much more politely than I wanted to. But with all our teammates, coaches, and trainerswatching, I didn’t have much of a choice. She looked up at me like she was reading my thoughts. Her eyes glanced at my lips and then we both laughed, like we were sharing an inside joke.