“Let’s pray God shows you when to take that leap.”
I lean over and press a kiss to Jabari’s cheek. “Thank you.”
He stands, then gently pulls me up. I follow him to the foyer area. Before he can reach for the door handle, I wrap my arms around his back and squeeze. “Thanks for taking care of me.”
“Anytime. You know I’ll be here for you unless I’m at an away game.”
I laugh. “You text more when you’re away, so you’re here in spirit.”
He kisses me gently. “I’ll always be here for you.”
“Love you.” My heart trips over the words, giddiness flowing through me.
“I love you too.”
When I spin around after locking the door, Fran is standing in the hall.
“You two are too cute.” She grins.
“He’s the best.”
“He told me the good news.”
“I still can’t believe it.”
“Will he play again?”
“Hopefully Friday.” He told me the coach’s plan earlier.
“Oh, I want to go. Though I’m not sure this nausea will allow me to.”
Poor Fran has finally begun to experience morning sickness. “Are you throwing up too?”
“Sometimes.” She unwraps a ginger candy. “These help, so here’s my nightcap.”
I remember something she’d shared the other day. “Is Derrick still calling?”
“Yeah. He wants to meet up.”
“Do you think he’ll propose again?”
Fran shrugs, a look of uncertainty clouding her gaze. “I hope not.”
“If you want to talk to him but don’t want to be alone with him, I’m happy to go with you. Anything you need, Franny Fran.”
“I might take you up on that, Val pal.”
I hope she does. I don’t know how she feels about Derrick. She says she’s over him and that he’s toxic, but does she have the strength to turn down a proposal twice when it would fix some obvious problems? I pray so. If not, I’ll stand beside her and help her not go back to that life.
43
Jabari
“In a miraculous turn of events, Jabari ‘Crank’ Hall has regained his vision and will be playing in tonight’s game.” Paul Axel, a former center turned reporter, turns to me. “Crank, some people are doubting your story. They think your loss and restoration of vision is a publicity ploy. What do you say to that?”
“Well, Paul, there will always be those who are skeptical. I’d like to have them consider why a hockey player would ever want to be put on the injured reserve list. No player who loves the game as much as I do finds joy in being sidelined.”
Paul chuckles. “It’s like putting a kid in time-out. Absolute torture.”
