I pull out my phone and text Victoria.
JORDAN: Hey, where are you?
VICTORIA: Trying to catch a cab so we can go back to the hotel.
JORDAN: Wait for me—I’m coming out. Where are you exactly?
VICTORIA: According to Chloe, I’m at the southeast corner of west thirty-third and eighth avenue.
JORDAN: Stay there. I’m coming.
VICTORIA: Aren’t you supposed to ride with the team?
JORDAN: I think I can sneak away this one time. I’ll let you know if Coach shoots me down.
VICTORIA: I’ll be here. The girls are willing to wait with me.
I put my phone in my pocket and turn to Jude. “Can you make sure my bag gets to the hotel? I’m going to meet the girls.”
He frowns. “Jordan…”
“I’ll tell Coach, no worries.” With that, I turn and head for the exit.
After a quick chat with Coach Petrov, I pull my hat low over my brow and make a beeline for the exit. I don’t know exactly where I’m going since I usually leave through a private exit with the team but a couple of attendants set me in the right direction and before I know it, I’m out on the street.
I’ve been to New York a bunch of times with the team, and have walked around enough to know where I am. I make a right and head for Thirty-third. I see her standing there in jeans and a jacket, hair cascading around her shoulders, chatting with Chloe and Hana.
Fuck, Victoria’s pretty.
I approach the ladies with a smile.
“Fancy meeting you here,” I say casually.
“Good game,” Chloe responds.
“There’s a cab!” Hana says, nudging Chloe. “We’ll see you tomorrow, Victoria!”
“Bye!” She waves and then turns to me.
Once again, our eyes meet and it feels like a million emotions shoot through me in that moment. I’m equal parts nervous and excited, because I don’t know exactly what’s going to happen but I now know that she loves me as much as I love her. In the end, that’s the most important thing.
“Hey, baby.” I put my hands at her waist and pull her close, staring down into her beautiful, expressive eyes. “You’re here. With me.”
I’m still a little in awe over it. Everything was up in the air and she did the one thing I wasn’t sure she would ever do. Or maybe I knew it all along—I just wasn’t willing to let myself believe it. And it feels so fucking good to know we’re in this together.
She seems to be studying my face. “I’m really sorry about…everything.”
“It’s okay. All that matters is that you’re here now.” I run my knuckles across her cheek. “You look tired, though.”
“I wasn’t sleeping or eating,” she admits. “It’s been a rough few days.”
“Then let’s get back to the hotel so you can rest. We have plenty of time to talk. Are you hungry?” I lace my fingers through hers.
“No, the girls made me eat earlier.”
“Okay.” I hold out my arm with my free hand, thankful when a taxi stops for us right away.
I get in after her, give the driver the address and then slide an arm around her shoulders, pulling her flush against my side. It’s like I can’t stop touching her, feeling the warmth of her skin. In fact, I’m having a tough time believing it’s real. That’s she’s finally mine. How long have I waited for this? It feels like a dream-come-true and the embodiment of hopes and dreams I hadn’t yet articulated.
