Chapter 26 – Jordan
CHAPTER
TWENTY-SIX
JORDAN
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 pours down 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.
I take two dribbles, bend my knees, and shoot, extending my arm into the follow through as I watch the ball swish through the net.
Up one.
Repeating the routine, the second shot rolls around the rim before falling in. I breathe a sigh of relief.
Up two.
Running back on defense, the ball is passed up the court quickly and I stick to my man like glue, keeping myself between him and the basket.
He gets the ball, and I close the gap forcing him to pass to his teammate who pulls up at the three-point line as the buzzer goes off.
My eyes follow the ball as it hits the rim, bouncing off.
We won!
All the stress I was feeling transforms into elation, as I find my teammates to congratulate them. We haven’t had the best year with such a young team, but we’re finding our way. A few more additions could put us in championship contention.
It takes a few minutes to get through the line to greet the other team. Thankfully, no reporters stop me so I can run to the locker room quickly to change and get up to the box to find my girl.
“Jordan, you were incredible!” The first person I see is Mack, looking adorable in my jersey and sporting her growing baby bump that only makes her more beautiful.
She jumps into my arms, her legs wrapping around my waist. Even seven months pregnant, the woman weighs nothing and I hold on to her easily.
I lean in, kissing her lips and the rest of the room fades away as I get lost in the feel of her mouth on mine.
Her body in my arms, her scent filling the space between us, it’s just her and me.
Until a loud cough pulls us back into the present.
I set her slowly down, I look around and see everyone in the room staring, their eyes alight and giant smiles on their faces. My former teammates are focused on the pregnant belly they must not have noticed earlier and I almost laugh at their open mouths.
Mackenzie grabs my hand and I squeeze hers back.
“It’s about time!” I hear Riggs yell and that causes all of us to erupt in laughter. My sweet girl blushes from head to toe.
I take a few minutes to greet everyone and thank them for coming out. My mom hugs me extra hard and I hear her and Sarah giggling and talking about weddings in the corner. I know it should freak me out, but it doesn’t. I can’t wait to marry Mackenzie and give her—and this baby—my last name.
My parents, Reagan, and Riggs are the first to leave. Then Carter and Williams head out, since they have a game of their own to play tomorrow afternoon. It’s just Mack, her parents, and me left in the box and all I want is to get a minute with my girl before she leaves.
Like she’s reading my mind, Sarah grabs me for a hug. “Jordan, honey, you were amazing out there! Conrad and I will wait outside and give you two a moment.”
“We will?” Conrad asks, but without responding, Sarah pulls him out the door.
Finally, alone, I pull Mack back into my arms and hold on to her for a minute. I love being able to touch her freely. “Thank you for coming.” I tell her, kissing the top of her head before she lets go of me, smiling up.
“I love watching you play, Jordan. You look good out there in that uniform.” Her cheeks heat at her words and I give her a devilish smirk.
“Is that so?” She nods in confirmation.
“Well, I have to say that there is nothing sexier than seeing you with my name and number on your back.” I didn’t think it was possible for her face to get any redder, but it does.
“I guess I’ll have to wear it more often then.” I like flirty Mackenzie. A lot.
“I wish you didn’t have to go home tonight. You know I have two spare rooms at my place.”
“I wish I didn’t either, but I have a doctor’s appointment early tomorrow.”
“Do you want me to come with you? We don’t have practice until later in the day.”
“You want to go to the doctor with me?
“Of course I do. Listen, this baby may not be mine, but I promise I will be here for both of you, no matter what.”
Her eyes meet mine, a tear falling down her cheek. I quickly wipe it away, trailing my hand slowly across her jaw, tipping her chin up, so I can see her beautiful face.
“Jordan, that means everything to me.”
“Pretty girl, when are you going to learn that you are my everything?”
I see her eyes examining mine, discerning if I’m telling the truth, but she already knows I am.
“Show me.”
I lean down, putting all I have into this kiss. I tell her with my lips on hers that she’s the one, that I love her, and I’ll never leave.
In the back of my mind, a small seed of worry starts to grow the closer she gets to seeing Trey. I pray that in the end, she’ll love me back and choose me.
It’s the fourth quarter, and this is my last shot.