Page 78 of His Last Shot
He opens his truck door from the outside as he always does and tumbles out. That’s when the most ridiculous thing I have ever seen assaults my eyes.
Something I can never unsee.
Johnny is standing ten feet in front of me, in a red and blue cheerleading uniform. Holding pom-poms.
Let me tell you, the gasp that I gasp. My hand flies to my mouth, and the biggest laugh erupts from my gut. “Oh, my God!”
“I told you that if you signed up for school, I would wear a cheerleading uniform.” He poses, popping out his hip and resting a pom-pom-filled hand on it. “How do I look?”
Adorable. Ridiculous. Goofy.
My Johnny.
I approach him, stunned. “I didn’t think you were serious. Where did you get that?” The uniform is clearly way too small for his six-foot-five frame. His hairy, tree-trunk legs are on full display beneath the flared skirt. The cut-off top of the uniform reveals his toned abs. But the best part is that he is still wearing his casual shoes. The whole thing is off the charts absurd and incredibly endearing.
“Online. I got the largest size, and it’s still too small.” He reaches behind his back and pulls out a wedgie, making me laugh even more. I approach him and wrap my arms around his middle, taking in this man. My very own life-size cheerleader. He peers down at me. “I always keep my promises.”
“That you do.” He kisses me, and how this looks to passersby is no doubt questionable.
But I don’t care.
“I am so proud of you,”he whispers.
“Thanks. I am pretty proud of myself, too.” He grins, and I place a finger into one of his dimples. “And thank you for my letter. And the tickets.”
“I thought you would need one last loving push.”
“I did.”
We stand there, arms wrapped around each other, taking in the moment for what it is. The beginning of our life together. New directions, new beginnings.
New everything.
“I have a cheer ready.” Instantly, I’m broken from my thoughts.
No way.I back away from him, laughing. “Don’t you dare,” I warn. A wicked smile crosses his lips. “Johnny … what are you about to do?”
He throws his hands in the air, shaking the pom-poms. I try to stop him. “No, no, no…”
“Gimme an R!”
23
The Choice Is Yours
Johnny
It’s been a wild week!
Everything started on Monday with the quarterfinals. My team and I sailed through those with flying colors. But once we made it to the semis, several of the guys tripped up. Nerves got the best of them, and it came down to the wire for two games. I was a nervous wreck the whole time. Because somehow, along the way, winning this whole thing became important to me. And it’s not just for me, it’s for them. I’ve been teaching these guys the game, and I want their hard work to pay off.
With tournament play, our plan of attack has always been the same. Win and get me to the last match. I guess you can compare me to the anchor leg of a swim team. Kinda like Michael Phelps.
And I never lose. Kinda like Michael Phelps.
Thankfully, we made it to the finals, which is tomorrow, and if we win, we earn a trip to Vegas for the national title.
I mean, let’s face it, we are shoo-ins.
