Grey lets me stay in my own head for a few moments before he breaks the silence. “Aw… man. I’m only twenty-two. The prime of my life. We’re gonna go for back-to-back championships. I don’t have time to drop my focus for a girl I’m not even sure likes me for anything but being an athlete.”
I laugh at the memory of when I first met Abby. “I think that’s what drew me to Abby. I can just be me with her. I’ve never had to wonder. She had no clue who I was when we met. God, she was adorable when she got frustrated from the constant interruptions in class. Hell, she’s called me on my shit from the start.” God, those eyes… “I swear, the daggers she threw my way the day we met, were the most adorable thing ever. She even went so far as to call me ‘Mr. Blue Eyes’ when she tried to get me to focus on our assignment.”
Huh. I think I may have started falling for her then.
“Seriously? I thought you’d been joking when you’d said she hated you.”
“Naw, man. Totally serious. I was a prick to her, and she totally let me know it.”
A grin spreads across Grey’s face. “I think I might just like Abby a little more, now.”
“Asshole,” I grumble and take a long drink of my now room-temperature coffee.
Grey’s quiet for a few minutes then he surprises me with, “Hopefully, someday, I’ll meet someone I don’t have to question.”
33
Abby
What’s that saying?
March comes in like a lion and out like a lamb?
Whoever said that had no idea what experiencing a championship tournament for basketball was like as a spectator. Hell. I’m not even that big of a fan, but my concentration is shit. I’m on pins and needles as I watch CRU move through the brackets. I had no idea that CRU was competing against sixty-seven other teams. Thankfully, CRU got an automatic bid to the tournament due to their ranking, but that doesn’t mean they’re getting off easy.
I had no idea what went into these games. According to Drew, CRU’s going in as the number one seed of their bracket. The odds are in their favor, with the opponent being the lowest-ranking team, in that group of sixteen. It’s crazy, I tell you. Thank God, they pulled off that win. It would’ve been sad to see the reigning champs go out in the first round.
I’ve seen little of Drew since it was announced that CRU is in contention. He spends every waking moment preparing for a game, watching film, or studying to keep up with his coursework. I seriously have no idea how he manages to do everything. But through it all, he still manages to think of me. Every morning when I wake up, I find a text from him, and his voice is the last I hear before I fall asleep. The man is burning the candles at both ends. Thank God this tournament only lasts three weeks.
Luckily, CRU’s hosting game two, so Drew doesn’t have to add traveling to his already busy schedule. It’s on a Friday night, and Sydney’s traded shifts to make sure she can attend the game with me. The entire campus is pumped with energy.
How had I been so oblivious last year when we went on to win and become best in the nation? I must’ve been living under a rock.
If I thought the arena was packed in the playoffs, that’s nothing compared to this level of fandom. To guarantee we would have seats, Drew insisted Sydney and I use the tickets he’d been given and sit with his parents. When we arrive, I’m pleased to see his Aunt Kathy has joined them as well. I enjoyed getting to know her while Drew spent time at the hospital.
Kathy squeals with delight as she hugs me in greeting. “It’s so great to see you again.”
I can’t even respond because as soon as she releases me, I’m pulled in for a hug from his mom. “I’m so glad you chose to sit with us, Abby. It’ll give us a chance to catch up.”
“Of course, Mrs. Jacobs. It’s great to see you on the mend.”
Drew’s mom waves a hand in the air. “Oh, stop with the Mrs. Jacobs. Please. Call me Karen. I should’ve corrected you sooner, so I’ll blame it on the pain meds.”
We all laugh at the expression on her face.
When things settle down, I take the time to introduce Sydney to everyone. Of course, Drew’s dad insists on being called Marty as well, and I’m relieved to still feel right at home with them.
It gives me both a sense of ease and longing for a close relationship with Drew’s family in the future. I’m thankful to find the bond we’d shared while I visited them in the hospital has stayed intact and if anything, has grown stronger.
“So… have you heard back from any other school than Stanford yet, Abby?” Karen asks casually as we watch CRU warm up on the court.
I know Drew and his parents are close, but I hadn’t realized he’d mentioned my acceptance to them. “Not yet,” I admit. “But I’m sure we’ll find out more in the coming weeks. We’re supposed to make our decisions by the middle of next month, so I’ll find out soon, if I’ve been accepted into the others I’ve applied to.”
Holy shit. Is it just a matter of weeks that I’ll know? I guess I’d been taking Drew’s philosophy to heart and letting the cards fall as they may. But the thought of not being with Drew next year has my stomach plummeting to my feet. Before I can dwell on this, the players are announced, and the National Anthem is played.
Drew looks sexy as hell in his uniform. With his hair a little longer than normal, it curls a bit at the edges. Apparently, he’s a bit superstitious, so he hasn’t gotten a haircut since they won their league championship. Thank God he decided not to forgo shaving; Drew’s beard is scratchy as hell when it starts growing out.
Knowing this is a single-elimination tournament, there’s a crackle in the air I can’t quite describe. As if the entire crowd’s watching history in the making, we’re on the edge of our seats waiting for greatness to happen, and we’re all hoping our team will pull off this win.
CRU doesn’t disappoint. They quickly take possession of the ball and score within the first seconds of the game. But the Bulldogs are just as fierce and want it nearly as much. It’s almost like watching a tennis match, the ball keeps traveling at lightning speed to the opposite ends of the court, where baskets are made with each possession. It isn’t until nearly the end of the first half, that CRU takes the lead and holds it, which brings a huge relief to his parents and me. I can feel their nervous energy, but they’ve done their best to not make it too obvious. I have no idea how they’ve watched him play like this for years and haven’t died from a heart attack.
Halftime is over before we know it, and the game is back in full force. Drew, DeShawn, and Grey have played the majority of the game. Their focus and extreme talent take my breath away. It’s almost as if they can sense each other because they anticipate each other’s moves and direct the ball where it needs to be with minimal opposition from the defense.
Finally, the clock hits zero, and the crowd goes wild. CRU pulls off this win, and we couldn’t be more ecstatic. Sydney and I high-five and hug each other, but that isn’t nearly enough. When I look to Drew’s parents, they’re jumping up and down with joy. When they smile down at Drew, I can feel their sense of pride from here.
It isn’t until the final buzzer goes off that Drew finds me. The moment he does, an infectious smile lights up his face. He hadn’t sought me out the entire game because I was laser focused on him the entire time. It’s almost as if he were afraid he’d lose his concentration even for a second, and he’d purposely kept from looking in our direction. Instead of standing to leave like I expect, Drew’s parents remain seated and patiently wait as the arena empties. We’re in the middle of a row, so there’s no need to move until we’re good and ready.
“Will you be traveling to their next game in North Carolina?” Karen asks with curiosity.
With them playing on a Thursday night next week, there’s no way I can leave town. I have too many classes that I can’t miss on Friday. Besides, it’s not like I can afford a trip across the country on short notice, anyway. I regretfully say, “No. I’ll have to watch it on TV. Will you be going?”
&
nbsp; Drew’s dad smiles with pride. “We wouldn’t miss it for the world.”
“We’re flying out on Wednesday. If your plans change, you’re welcome to stay with us. We’ve rented a condo from an Airbnb, so there’s plenty of room. We learned last year it’s better to get a place further away from the crowds, so we can get our rest while they party all night.”
“I’m joining them, too,” Kathy proudly states. “I just love watching these boys play. We’re going to win… I can feel it in my bones. CRU’s going to take this championship.”
The fact that Drew’s family drops everything to support him pulls at my heartstrings even more. Their love and devotion to one another is unbelievable. As I look at his family, it hits me hard. Not only am I incredibly in love with Drew, but I’m falling for his family, too. My heart tightens in my chest, and the love I feel for them flows through me.
Don’t get me wrong, I love my family, but I don’t think they would drop everything and traipse across the country to watch me play a sport for a couple of hours. I certainly don’t have aunts or uncles who would do this either. Drew’s family is special. That’s for sure.
After we leave the arena, the plan is for everyone to meet at Drew’s. Sydney excuses herself to head back to our place and instead of walking, I ride along with his family. Apparently, when his mother arrived earlier in the day, she cooked up a storm before the game.
When we arrive at his apartment, Drew has yet to arrive, but his parents make themselves right at home. His dad lounges on the couch, while his mom and Kathy get to work in the kitchen. When I offer to help, they shoo me away, claiming that Drew’s kitchen is a practically a ‘one-butt’ kitchen, and there’s hardly room for the two of them as it is.
Somehow, I feel Drew’s presence before I see him enter the apartment. It’s uncanny how my body crackles to life, and my spine zings right before he opens the door. DeShawn and Grey are nowhere to be seen, but I’m sure they’ll be here at some point. It’s their house after all.
When Drew walks through the door, I stand to greet him. The moment his eyes find mine, his long strides eat up the distance between us in a heartbeat.
“Congratulations! You were amazing!” I exclaim as I reach out to wrap him in a hug.
Well, I thought it would be a hug.
Drew lifts me with ease and spins me around in excitement, causing me to squeal with delight. Then his lips crash onto mine before I have a thought to process that his parents are watching. I gasp in surprise, and the Neanderthal that he is, uses that as an opportunity to slide his tongue in and kiss me for all I’m worth.
Fuck. I could get lost in Drew.
But when I hear his mom yell, “Congratulations, Honey!” as she comes around the corner from the kitchen, I’m quickly brought back to reality.
Drew sets me down but doesn’t let me go. I take moment to bury my head in his chest, and he wraps one arm around me in a hug.
Under his breath so that only I can hear, Drew whispers, “Sorry about that. Got carried away.”
Drew releases me as his mom approaches to hug him tight. “You were amazing. I know you’re gonna kick ass next week, too.”
Okay… not expecting that. But she is his biggest fan.
“That’s the plan, Mom.” When she steps away from his embrace, he eagerly asks, “What’d you make? I’m starving.”
His mom laughs, knowingly. “Why don’t you come into the kitchen to find out.”
We spend the rest of the night hanging out with his family. Grey and DeShawn must’ve celebrated elsewhere; they never returned home. Drew’s family will leave early in the morning to get a jump on traffic, so we say our goodbyes for now.
With a quiet apartment to ourselves, I couldn’t be any happier. The way Drew’s been looking at me all evening makes me want him desperately. But I am good and keep my thoughts concealed for his family’s sake and mine.
The second the door clicks shut, Drew pulls me to him and whispers, “I love you so much, Abby.”
“I love you, too, Drew,” I whisper as I reach on my tiptoes to close the distance between us.
Drew bends to kiss me. What starts out as an innocent kiss quickly turns into an inferno. Not wanting to put on a show so his roommates can see if they return unexpectedly, I tear my lips apart from his just long enough to say, “Bedroom,” and he eagerly complies.
34
Abby
The next few days pass by in a blur. Drew’s more hyper vigilant than ever about staying on top of his studies and working out with his team while he’s home. I miss him like crazy, but I know this madness will end when this tournament is over.
The night before he’s set to leave, I’m startled by a knock at my door. It’s late. Sydney’s still at work, Chloe’s in her room studying, and I’m reading a book on the couch. Not wanting to disturb Chloe, I quickly make my way to the door and look through the peephole.
The minute I see who it is, I fumble with the lock and fling it open.
“What are you doing here?” I gasp in surprise. Drew’s large frame fills up the small space, and his sexy dimple pops when he sees me, making butterflies in my stomach and my heart race. God, what this man does to me.
“I couldn’t leave without saying goodbye one last time,” he whispers. But instead of kissing me like I expect, he simply places one hand on my hip and slowly drops his forehead to mine. His eyes close, and I hear him inhale slowly. I find myself imitating him with ease. We just stand here for an immeasurable time. My heart rate slows as I match my breathing to his. I feel whatever worries he’s brought to my door slip away.
When he pulls his face away from mine, I am met with the most piercing blue eyes. It’s as if Drew can see into my soul. “Everything okay?” I whisper.
Drew inhales slowly. “I just needed calm. The guys are back at my place going through every one of their vigilant routines. I totally get why they’re doing it, but for some reason tonight, it’s driving me insane. I know it’s late, and I can’t stay, but I just needed to see you.”
His honesty nearly brings tears to my eyes. I reach up to brush a lock of his hair from his face. My voice is rough and gravelly when I say, “Wanna come in?”
“If I come in…” Drew shakes his head, and his eyes fill with regret, “I won’t leave. We both know it.”
Disappointment flows through me but unfortunately, I must agree with him. I know exactly what’ll happen if he walks through this door.
Drew takes my hands in his and once again leans forward to press his head to mine. Instantly, I feel peace wash through him, but I need to be certain I’m not misreading things. “Are you sure you’re okay?”
“Just got a lot on my mind…” He trails off but gives no further explanation.
“I can help carry the burden, if you’ll let me,” I offer, knowing that whatever it is, he’ll likely feel better if he gets it off his chest.
“Naw. I’m fine. It’s nothing I can’t handle. Just seeing your beautiful face helps.”
This earns him a smile, and I reward him by lifting to the tip of my toes to kiss him gently. This kiss isn’t rushed or hurried, and it doesn’t light the world on fire. But it does manage to sear Drew Jacobs deep within my soul. I wish he’d tell me what’s bothering him, but knowing Drew as well as I do, he’ll tell when he’s good and ready. Not a minute sooner.
Before things get carried away, Drew breaks the kiss. His voice is rough and filled with lust when he says, “I gotta go.”
Trying to stay positive, I playfully punch him in the shoulder. “Knock ‘em dead, Jacobs. I’m counting on you!”
“Okay,” he draws out on a chuckle. “I will.”
We’re quiet for a moment. Neither of us wanting to be the first to say goodbye.
Drew leans down once again to kiss me chastely on the lips. “Love you, Angel. See you when I get back.”
“Love you, too,” I whisper in return.
Drew’s determination is stronger than mine. Somehow, he manages to k
iss me lightly once more, turn, and walk away without another word.
I know he’s gone to several away games, so I’m not sure why this feels different. But watching him leave feels like he’s taking a piece of me with him.
As soon as he’s out of sight, I slowly turn and make my way back inside. As I twist the deadbolt, I lean my forehead against the door and feel a strange sense of loss.
If he has the power to do this to me now, what will it be like when we part for med school?
Fuck. I’m in so much trouble.
Eventually, I meander my way to the couch, plopping myself down to continue reading my book. But after repeating the same sentence multiple times, I know it’s useless. I can’t concentrate. My mind’s like that octopus ride at the fair. Up and down, round and round. Just when I think I can catch hold of something, it races again, and I lose track of that thought. My stomach twists into knots as I hold on for dear life, trying to wrap my head around my feelings.
That’s how Sydney finds me when she gets home from work.
“Since when do you spend time staring at the ceiling?” she asks, breaking me away from my thoughts.
“Uh, when did you get home?” I ask, amazed I didn’t hear her come in.
“I just walked in. I thought you might be sleeping, but when I saw your eyes open, I waited a few moments before saying anything.”
Seriously? “Huh. I guess I was lost in thought,” I offer as an explanation.
Sydney plops down in the chair beside me. “Penny for your thoughts? Though by the way you were zoning out, I may need to offer my tip money for tonight.”
“I’m just thinking about Drew,” I admit with honesty.
Drew: Book One of the Perfectly Independent Series Page 26