Chapter 33
Jabari
The next morning I wake up and immediately check to see if I have any messages from Val.
A slow grin takes over my entire face as I listen to Val’s voice.
She’s coming to Jersey! I quickly dictate an email to our community relations department, asking if they have seats available for Val in our box or if I have to find two other seats elsewhere.
Hopefully, the guys won’t say anything about me sitting with her.
Before I can call her, my phone rings. “Hello?”
“Hi, Jabari, it’s Morgan.”
“Hey, how are you?”
“Good. We have a last-minute request for you to meet with a potential donor. And I just heard that you requested an additional seat for tomorrow’s game.”
“I did.” I run my hand through my hair. “Do you have any space in the box seats?” When will that not feel like a kick in the gut?
“We do, but I’d rather put you, your guest, and the donor in one of our team suites. You’ll be able to enjoy the game with Ms. Elliot and schmooze a little too.”
Disappointment churns inside. The last thing I want is someone encroaching on my time with Val, but this new position deserves my all. And it might be my only path forward.
“Okay, I can do that.”
“Great,” Morgan says cheerily. “I’ll send over the details, so you have time to understand this donor’s background.”
From studying hockey plays to spreadsheets, life has taken a dark turn. Be grateful. Because I should be, but I’m not. Why not?
I hang up and call Val.
“Hey,” she says breathlessly. “I was just about to dial your number.”
“Are you here already?”
“I am.”
Yes! “Where are you staying?”
She rattles off the hotel name.
“That’s where I’m at.”
“Yeah?” Joy lights her voice, and I smile automatically.
There’s something about Val that always puts me in a better mood. And with the throbbing pain in my head, I could stand for some good news. This headache has been plaguing me the last few days, and no amount of pain meds will knock it out.
“Will you come up to my room? It’s five-twenty.”
“Sure. Give me a few minutes.”
She can have all the time she needs. I’m not sure why she decided to come to Jersey instead of staying in DC, but I’m thankful. Last night I finished unpacking, so nothing should be out of place.
Soon a knock sounds at the door, and I slide my palms against my Warriors sweats to get rid of the nerves that have suddenly appeared. I pull the door handle toward me, and a waft of Val’s perfume greets me. It’s all I can do to prevent my eyes from closing on an inhale.
“Hey, stranger,” she says.
“Long time no see.” I step back to motion her in, aiming for a calm facade.
“What can I say? I couldn’t stay away.”
The door closes, and I listen for clues. She doesn’t sound upset. She actually sounds . . . happy?
“Everything okay?”
“Yes? No? I don’t know.” She huffs out a laugh. “Let’s talk on the couch.”
I do as she asks, and she interlaces our fingers.
“What’s going on, Val? I’m hoping this visit is a good one.” Please let it be a good one. The thought actually feels more prayer than plea, and my body jolts in surprise. Maybe Javier is right about it becoming easier.
“It really is. I came up here because I felt like we had unfinished business.”
“Is this a breakup?” I arch a brow. “Did your sister demand that?”
“No!” A breath of air escapes her. “She’s not happy about us, but that’s neither here nor there. I decided what she wants is insignificant in the grand scheme of things. I like you, and that’s what matters.”
Music to my ears. The feeling rising in my chest is better than any championship I could ever win.
I untwine our fingers and wrap an arm around Val. “What happened with Jackie?”
She gives me the rundown of their discussion, and I wince. I’m not sure why Jackie decided to portray me as the villain. Is she hurting from something else and not a mere breakup, or is she that much of a diva? I pose the question to Val.
“I’ve thought about it and prayed about it.
Unfortunately, she never really handled our parents’ divorce well.
Dad and Mom placated her at every turn instead of disciplining her, and now she’s that spoiled.
Fran has always said so, but I thought it was sibling rivalry.
But after seeing Mom try to appease Jackie yesterday, I’m beginning to see how differently they treat her.
But regardless of how she’s been acting, I’ll be there for her if she ever offers an olive branch. ”
“You’re a great sister, Val.” I squeeze her tightly, nuzzling my nose in her hair. “I’m glad you’re here.”
“Me too,” she whispers.
“Unfortunately, I have bad news about our box seats.”
“What’s that?”
“Morgan asked me to schmooze, so we’ll have a donor sitting with us. I hope you know I’d rather be focusing all of my attention on you.”
“It’s okay. At least we’ll be together.”
She rests her head against my chest. Holding her feels so right. I hope this is only the beginning for us. After a few minutes of silence, I speak.
“You going to tell me why you came? Not that I’m not excited.”
She chuckles. “I wanted to apologize to you.” She pulls out of the hug and sits up.
“I’m sorry for answering Jackie’s summons.
When I woke yesterday, Fran and I had made the decision to stay and enjoy the day, but then Jackie was so upset.
” Val lets out a growl of frustration. “Now that I see how I’m always at her beck and call, I want to change.
I don’t want to live my life for my sister at the detriment to those close to me. ”
Does that mean I’m a person that’s close to her? I want to pump my fist in the air, but the sadness in Val’s voice has me tamping my own joy to let her process the hurt.
“Your kindness, which is why you went to speak to her, is one of the things I l-like so much about you.” My neck heats.
Did she hear that almost slip? It’s too early to say those three words, but for a moment, my heart felt them.
The same sensation was there when I listened to her text this morning, and the same feelings were there when she walked into my hotel room.
Now every fiber of my being is alive with the emotion as we hold each other.
“There’s something else I regret.”
“What is it?”
“The ending of our date.”
Wait. I thought the date went perfectly well. Does she think differently?
At my confused look, Val continues. “We didn’t have a goodnight kiss.”
My lips curve in an automatic smile. Did she truly come all this way for a kiss? I cover my mouth, trying to keep my grin in check, but my cheeks are bulging.
“Jabari . . .” Val pushes me as a giggle flies free.
She sounds lighthearted and happy. If it’s possible I make her as happy as she makes me, then God is real. There’s no way I could’ve found a woman like her on my own.
“I’d be happy to give you a good-night kiss.”
Her breath catches, and my blood runs hot in answer.
“Oh good,” she says breathlessly.
“There’s just one problem.”
“What?”
I try not to show any emotion on my face. “It’s not nighttime.”
“Oh my word.” She falls back against the couch, laughing hysterically. “I thought you were serious for a moment.”
“I actually am.”
Her laughter dries up quickly. “Well, it’s nighttime somewhere.”
“Then until it’s nighttime in Jersey, why don’t we go out on another date?”
She says nothing, and judging by the heat hitting my face, she’s glaring at me. “Fine.”
I stand up and hold out a hand. Her touch is tentative, probably disappointed at me.
But I really hope she humors me and lets me take her out so I can walk her up to her hotel room later tonight and kiss her goodnight .
. . in the hallway where both of our reputations will be much safer.
Because the way I feel about Val Elliott, I need some safeguards in place when I kiss her for the first time.