Page 90 of Most Likely to Score
“Let’s focus on one thing at a time, then.” He moves my ankle. “Does this hurt?”
Before I can answer, Ford bursts into the room in a flurry of Armani and wingtips.
“Dude, you can dress down for a game,” I say, laughing.
He glares at me. “Never. Also?—”
“—I love Jillian,” I cut him off.
He shoots me a look like I’m high, waving a hand dismissively as he strides to the exam table. “Is he on morphine already?”
The doctor shakes his head. “Of course not.”
“Then what the hell is going on?”
I grab Ford’s arm, getting his attention till he looks me square in the eyes. “I’m in love with Jillian. All I care about right now is that you know that. Do you get it? I love her.”
“Sure. You love her. Okay, great.”
Another slam of the door, and Trevor strides in.
“Tell him,” I shout to Trevor, pointing at my big brother. “He knows! I told him the other night. Trevor, tell them I’m in love with Jillian.”
My brother stops in his tracks and laughs. “But how is your knee?”
I hold my arms out wide. “Do you people not get it? Listen to me. I. LOVE. HER.”
But they don’t get it. They look at me as if I’ve gone mad.
My heart stops when the most beautiful sight appears at the door. Long black hair, beautiful brown eyes, red cherry earrings. Tears stream down her face as she runs into the locker room. She races to me, puts her hand on my shoulder, and with concern asks point-blank, “Are you okay?”
I smile dopily, happiness whistling a happy tune inside me as I meet her eyes. “I love you. I love you somuch I want everyone to know that I’m in love with you.”
She dips her face closer. “Did you get hit on the head?”
“No! Why is everyone asking me that?”
Dr. Miller clears his throat. “Jones?—”
I know what’s coming, so I slide off the table, landing on both feet without wincing. I take a few steps around the locker room, my arms out wide, showing off. “There? See? Everyone happy? It hardly hurts. My knee is fine. I can probably even run a mile right now.”
Dr. Miller and the PT each grab hold of an arm before I can show them my speed.
“No,” the doctor says sharply. “No running.”
I shake them off and walk the few feet. I stop at Jillian, cup her cheeks, and say once more, “I’m in love with you.” I plant a kiss on her lips. She kisses me back, so softly, so tenderly it makes me tremble.
We break the kiss, and I spin around. “My knee is fine, and I love this woman. Do you all hear that?” I stare at each and every person in the locker room. “She is mine. I’m with her. We’re together. I’m going to take her to dinner and kiss her in public. I’m going to the movies with her, and I’m going to hold her hand. I’m going to spend the night at her house and leave in the morning. I’m not going to hide.”
I turn back to her, my words for her now. “I want a career, I want deals, and I want to play for a long time, but I want you more. I should’ve told you last night. I should have told you the night before. I should have sent more than two texts. I should have called Fordyesterday, and I didn’t because I was afraid of losing everything. I was scared of this very thing happening, but once it happened, I realized you’re what I can’t afford to lose. Even if the deals all fall apart. Even if this ends today. I’m not going to give up loving you for any of those things, and I’m sorry it took me getting clocked to see the light, but sometimes it takes?—”
“Man-time,” she supplies with a smile. Tears slide down her cheeks, but they sure as hell look like happy tears now. “It took you man-time.”
I laugh. “Yeah, I suppose it did. Do you forgive me?”
She runs a hand through my hair. “That’s already done.”
I grab her, pulling her close, lifting her up and then kissing her once more. When I set her down, I’m greeted by slow claps from the audience. “See? They’re happy I love you.”
