“Well, I am an engaged woman now.” We both laugh at that and then I see that goofy smile take over my sister’s face as she thinks about Riggs. I know that face well. It’s the same one I get whenever I think about Mackenzie.
We grab drinks from the vending machine, a Dr Pepper for her and a Gatorade for me. I bend down to grab my drink out when I hear a door open with a loud smack against the wall. I turn and I see a raging Trey storming my way. He doesn’t say a word, just shoulder-checks me as he leaves.
My anger pulses to life as I sprint to Mackenzie’s doorway, Reagan hot on my tail. One look at Mack tells me their conversation didn’t go well.My sister must sense it as well because she diffuses the tension easily with her next words. “I take it that went well.”
Within a few hours,the anger and frustration transform into smiles and laughter for my girl. Her doctors discharge her with strict instructions to rest, avoid stress, and follow concussion protocol for the next several days.
I pull into the driveway, just behind Conrad and Sarah’s SUV as the sun begins to set. Before she can move, I jump out to help Mack out of the car and into the house. Since she can’t use screens, I walk with her up to her bedroom instead of letting her rest on the couch.
While she gets changed into pajamas, I get her bed ready, adding extra pillows, putting her phone on the charger, and refilling her water bottle. She walks in and stops in her tracks. I feel her eyes on me as I finish up and turn to see her with misty eyes and a grin on her gorgeous face.
“What?” I get the question out just before she takes a few steps to me and presses her soft lips to mine. We both melt into the kiss, as I grab her waist pulling her in just a little bit closer. Her hands reach up, fingers play with the hair on the back of my head as the kiss deepens and fire races through my veins.
I’ve kissed girls, a lot of girls. I’m not being conceited, it’s just the truth. Not a single one holds a candle to her. Mackenzie kisses with her whole body, telling me exactly how she feels without saying a word.
Pulling back, I tuck her hair behind her ears and smile down at the most beautiful woman I’ve ever laid eyes on. “You are absolutely beautiful.” The whisper of my words pinkens her cheeks and it’s become my favorite color.
“Thank you, Jordan. For everything.” Her sincerity shines through in her blue eyes and I know with a surety in this very moment she’s it, my endgame.
Getting her settled in bed, I lay on top of the blankets beside her, pulling her to me and she lays her head on my chest. I could get used to this. It’s not the grand gesture moments, but these tiny snippets that make me fall harder for her.
“Tell me about your conversation with Trey.” I finally speak the words I’ve been equally dying to say and dreading all day.
“About how you would expect. He tried to turn things back on me, but ultimately he needs time to digest it. I don’t know what’s going to happen with him and how involved he wants to be, but we’re going to talk again in a week when he’s back in town.”
“Do you want him involved?” The words come out shaky, giving voice to my deepest fear. I’m afraid that she’ll go back to him and I’ll never recover. Not this time.
Lifting herself up, Mack turns her head, her ocean eyes boring into mine. She sees my vulnerability because she raises a hand to cup my cheek. That simple touch eases the storm raging inside.
“Jordan, if he wants to be involved with the baby that’s all it will be. I won’t ever go back to him because I don’t love him anymore. I know I put you in horrible situations before, not knowing how you really felt. I won’t do that to you. Trey is not the person I’m meant to be with. He’s not who I want.”
“Who do you want?”
She takes only a second to answer. “You.”
And then she kisses me.
CHAPTER
TWENTY-SIX
JORDAN
Afew nights later, I’m lacing up my Charlotte purple-and-teal retro Jordan 10s getting ready to play the Lakers, the team I thought would draft me. Thankfully, God had other plans.
Mackenzie and her parents are driving in to sit in the box with my parents, Reagan, and Riggs. Carter and Williams have the night off, so they’ll be making an appearance as well. Some people don’t want the added pressure of family and friends watching, but I thrive under it. I’ve always been a bit of a show-off, and knowing all my favorite people are here tonight pushes me to play my best game.
Smiling, I pull my phone out to check my messages one more time before I head out for shoot-around and warmups. I open the thread and find a picture that makes me want to puff out my chest and beat it like Tarzan.
Mack
IMAGE
Good luck tonight, J! We’re cheering for you. See you after.
My girl is wearing my jersey. Seeing my name and number on her back brings my possessiveness to the surface and I feel like those birds from Finding Nemo. “Mine. Mine. Mine.” on repeat as I tuck my phone away and head out onto the court.
Sweat poursdown my face as I step up to the free-throw line for the first of two shots. We’re in a dogfight with Los Angeles and it’s the end of the fourth quarter. We’re tied with just fifteen seconds left to play.
