Page 81 of Full Court Love
The words sound painful coming out.
“It’s fair that you want space from me. I have a lot to work on. But please don’t allow that to cloud your judgment. Don’t be rash. You still have a lot you could do in basketball.”
“Yeah, Dad, you did. You hurt me quite a bit. That’s the reason I need distance from you for a while, but it’s not the reason I’m walking away from basketball.” Jordan’s voice is firm, but assured now. Then he lets out a laugh. “I love Lucy so much.” His tone is light, like he’s so happy he can’t believe it. I know the feeling.
“She’s helped me see myself and my life so differently. I realized I’m capable of more than I ever thought possible as long as she’s by my side. My judgment is clearer than it’s ever been.”
I can hear his smile as he’s talking. I feel like my face might break because my own smile is so big. My heart is full to bursting.
I’m praying this conversation is coming to a close because I don’t think I can hold off running to him and pulling his face to mine for another second. I’m a ticking time bomb.
The next voice I hear is his mom’s.
“I love you, sweetheart. I’ve never seen you like thisbefore, and–” Her voice catches. “It’s all I’ve ever wanted for you. I can’t wait to bring Lucy out to visit.”
I can’t wait to go visit. I can’t wait to have our moms meet because it’s obvious they are going to become best friends. I can’t wait to start this next chapter with Jordan. Even the looming anxiety of the championship game tomorrow can’t touch me.
“We’ll talk soon. Take care of yourself.”
Mr. Mitchell’s goodbye is a little less heartfelt.
I take a few steps back, hiding in a different offshoot hallway. I’m not crazy about them knowing I was eavesdropping. I’ll tell Jordan, of course. I couldn’t lie to him even if I wanted to, but his parents might not love that I heard some of that.
I wait until I see the Mitchells hurry out hand in hand before taking off at almost a sprint. Rounding the corner, I collide with Jordan. He grunts, but I just throw my arms around him.
I need to be as close to him as possible in this moment.
Luckily, he gets over the shock of our collision quickly and lifts me off the floor again–I love how light he makes me feel. He exhales, pulling me into his body. His words tickle my neck.
“How much did you hear?”
“Just a bit at the end.”
Pulling his head back to meet my eyes, he raises his eyebrows. “Starting with what?”
I pretend to have to think really hard to remember. “Umm, something about your top priority and law school. I’m still trying to connect the dots.”
He sets me down, closing his eyes and shaking his head. The corners of his mouth turn up in a small smile. “Okay, so?”
I bite my lip. “So?”
“You want me to say it again, don’t you?”
I cock my head to the side. “Say what?”
“Lucy, you are a piece of work. But despite that…or maybe because of it…”
He intertwines his fingers in mine then pulls me close, so we are only inches apart. “I love you. I don’t even remember what life was like before you, but I do know I could never go back. You’ve changed it all. I really wish I was like one of those guys in the rom-coms with the perfect lines, but I’m not. I’m just a guy who looks at you and sees his whole world.”
Damn.
“That was a pretty perfect line.”
“Well, I learn from the best.”
The grin he gives me is enough to turn me to putty in his hands.
I close my eyes, trying to absorb this moment and lock it away forever. I open them, and he’s gazing at me with a level of adoration that I definitely don’t deserve.