Page 102 of Becoming Selfish

“Don’t get your hopes up. Indiana is not all that exciting,” I warn.

“You’re just saying that because you’re from there. I’m looking forward to it regardless.”

Indiana might not be the most fun state in all of America, but it is beautiful in the fall, and it’s home. Thanksgiving weekend is one of my favorite times of the year, and I cannot wait to bring Logan back to the Hoosier state with me and show her off.

“So, you and your dad are really close. I could tell last night.”

“Yeah, we are. My whole family is, but I have a special relationship with my dad. I trust his opinion more than anyone else’s.” Logan’s expression is soft, and I can’t help but stare into her pretty green eyes.

“Oh, I meant to send these to you last night.” I break my gaze from her sweet smile. “Mary took these after the game.”

Pulling out my phone, I bring up the photos app before handing it over to Logan. Her smile grows as she admires the picture of herself, Marc, Ali, and me that Mary snapped after my game in the players’ tunnel. Her eyes dance around the photo as she takes it in, glancing back and forth between the two boys who love her more than anything and the feisty little New Yorker who always has her back.

I continue to lead us to our destination as she keeps her eyes on the picture. Taking a finger, I swipe to the previous one that my stepmom had sent me. It’s my new favorite photo, and I already set it as my lock screen. Mary must have snapped it when I took off towards Logan after finding her hiding away from the crowd outside of the locker room. The picture is the moment that I lifted her up in a hug, with my head nuzzled into her neck. One of her arms is wrapped around my shoulders, and the other is burrowed in my hair. Her eyes are closed, and her cheek is pressed tightly against mine.

Logan’s eyes soften when she looks at the photo of the two of us. She’s biting down on her bottom lip, tying to hold her smile back, but her dimples are popping out as she stares.

“I love this,” she says, looking up to me with the sweetest and softest expression. “Can I send this to myself?”

“Of course.” I nudge her shoulder as we continue to walk. I’m glad these pictures have been a distraction. Logan has yet to notice where I’m taking her.

Logan types her name in my phone, and before I can remember and take it from her, the amusement begins to sweep across her face. Her eyes are bright when she sees the little red heart emoji I have next to her name. I had put it there the day that Marc gave me her number. She was so pissed off at me that day, and we had only ever kissed once at that point, but I already knew my heart was with her that I couldn’t help but add it next to her contact information.

I guess I should be embarrassed right now, but fuck it. Logan knows how into her I am.

She doesn’t say anything about it, but she also can’t hold back the satisfied smile she has on her face as she sends the pictures to herself.

“Alright, we’re here.” I stop us in front of the main entrance to the gymnasium.

“What are you talking about?” she asks, looking towards the door. “We can’t go in there.”

“Sure we can. I have a key.”

“Eli, what are you doing?” she whispers as if someone could hear her. I put the key into the bolt, unlocking the large glass doors leading into the lobby of the gym. “We can get in trouble for this.”

I laugh at her sweet innocence. “Baby, it’s fine. Trust me. We aren’t going to get in trouble.” I lead her inside and lock the door behind me.

Interlocking my fingers with hers, I guide her through the dark lobby and turn into a pitch-black hallway, heading towards the court.

“What’s going on?” Logan asks as I lead her further into the arena. We can’t see shit, but I know where I am.

Suddenly the lights begin to come on, one by one, as the furthest seats in the arena come into view first. They quickly light up the next section, then the next, until the court itself is fully illuminated.

I watch as Logan takes in her surroundings. Her eyes widen and her mouth parts as she looks around and up to the empty stands. This gymnasium is enormous. It almost seats as many as the hockey rink. She turns in a circle as she continues to acclimate herself with where we are, but she’s clearly confused by what is happening right now.

We are standing directly in the middle of the university’s basketball court. The center circle is painted a deep maroon with a large yellow ‘M’ logo inside. One of the baselines says ‘University of Minnesota,’ and the other says, ‘Golden Gophers.’

“Thanks, Tony!” I yell out, to nowhere in particular. I know Tony, the maintenance guy, is here somewhere up in the rafters, but I’m not sure where.

“No problem, Maddison! Just lock up when you’re done!” he shouts back.

“Eli, what is going on?” Logan asks, confused, as her eyes land on the rack filled with brand new basketballs.

“Well...” I walk up to her and drape my arms over her shoulders. “You said that playing basketball made you think of your dad.” I tuck a strand of hair behind her ear. “You got to meet my dad yesterday, so I was hoping you could introduce me to yours.”

I look down at her as her green eyes soften, losing their confusion. She lets out a ragged sigh, leaning her forehead on my chest, hiding her face. When she looks back up to me, her eyes are glossed over, about to spill tears, and I’m praying that they’re good tears. I had some major fears that bringing her here would make her upset. She would’ve been playing on a court just like this at the University of Oregon if she hadn’t given up her scholarship to stay home and take care of her mom.

I wipe her cheek with my thumb as I search her face, trying to read her expression.

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