Page 115 of Beg Me

“I know this sucks for you,” Jory says. “I know how important it was to win and to beat Jasper.”

The crowd’s on their feet, watching the EMT check me out. And as I look at them—recognizing friends, old opponents, and Alfie and Mr. Crowder—I realize something else.

It was really never about this tournament for me either.

This tournament was a way for me to cling to a time in my life that was special to me. The last time in my life when I felt fulfilled. It represented a way of life that I missed, a nostalgia for a life I didn’t think I’d have again.

The Jasper part? That was petty. We all have our moments.

The only thing that matters is the man holding my hand, ensuring the EMT doesn’t hurt me, and keeping everyone away from me so I don’t get overwhelmed. The man who drove sixteen hours to take care of his son and me in the same night. The man who defended me when he didn’t have to, who kept his promises when it didn’t seem possible, and whose actions have made me feel loved beyond comprehension.

“Gonna need you to stop crying,” he says, smiling sadly.

“These are happy tears.”

He grimaces. “I find that hard to believe.”

“I don’t need to win this tournament, Jory. And I don’t give a shit about Jasper.”

“Really?”

I stare into his eyes. “I was just biding my time, I think. Keeping busy until you showed up. I mean, it would explain why I never got a full-time, year-round job. And why I could never figure out what path I was supposed to take in life.” I shrug. “I was waiting on you and Gus.”

“He’ll be very glad to hear that.” He laughs, his eyes clouding. “And I’ll show you once we’re alone how happy that makes me.”

“I love you, Jory.”

“Oh, babe. Not nearly as much as I love you.”

His lips find my forehead as the EMT suggests taking me to the hospital for an X-ray. Jory assures her that he’ll drive me there himself.

He lifts me in his arms to applause from the crowd. I find my friends in the stands. Brooks holds his hands out as if to say, “I told you I was the best choice.” It makes me laugh despite the pain in my foot.

I hold up my hand and the crowd claps louder. Jory turns me in a circle so I can see everyone. Because this is my retirement from pickleball. May the next champion reign as happily as I have.

Except Jasper. Fuck Jasper.

“I’ll meet you at the hospital,” Mira says, walking off the court with us.

“You don’t have to do that,” I say. “I’ll be fine.”

She looks at Jory and smiles. “I know you will.”

I look up at him, too.

That makes two of us.

CHAPTER

THIRTY-TWO

Jory

I have never been so tired in my life.

“How do you feel?” I ask, sitting on the edge of Markie’s bed. The mattress dips with my weight. “Are the painkillers helping?”

She nods. “Yeah. Lying with my foot up in the air like this will get old really quick though.”