The Final Score (23 page)

“Why is that?” she asks, holding my face between her hands as she kisses my mouth.

“Because this place is for special times to be shared by the two of us together,” I answer as I pull the perfectly wrapped, Tiffany-blue box from my pocket and place it into her hands.

“Luke?”

“Yes?”

“What is this?”

“You have to unwrap it.” Her eyes began to well up as she slowly unties the white satin ribbon from the box. “JJ, you are my whole world. Everything I am and want to be is because of you. I’ll love you always. Will you marry me?”

Her eyes flow with tears as she looks at the familiar, yet significantly altered, inscribed, platinum, diamond-laced band with the solitaire diamond I had added in the center.

“You know the answer to that question. It doesn’t even need to be asked. There is no other place for me than to be with you forever.” We kiss and I place the ring on her left hand. “Is this my ring?”

“Yeah. Mikey found it on the floor. I thought it was gone for good. He never told me he had found it. It was sitting on my bureau in an envelope at the condo.”

“It’s beautiful.”

“Just like you,” I say, kissing her. “I brought it to Arizona with me. I took it to the Tiffany store out there and I had them add the solitaire. I wanted to give it back to you with a real proposal.”

“But we weren’t officially together when you left for Arizona.”

“Yeah, but you know what? I had already kissed you like three times by then. That feeling I get every time I kiss you is crazy. That just doesn’t happen… ever. So, when you find someone that makes you feel like that, well then, you have no choice except marrying them, just so you can feel it every day. There’s no way around it.” I shrug my shoulders.

“Really?” she says, changing her position and wrapping her legs around my waist so that she can face me. “Let me see.” She laughs and kisses me again. “Yep, you’re right. There’s no way around it.”

“Are you happy?”

“Very much.” She kisses me recklessly with her arms tightly around me, molding our bodies.

Her legs tighten around my waist and the movement of her body rocking over mine arouses me with desire. Her tongue traces my neck as her hands tear at my sweatshirt, flinging it over my head. She pushes me back and my blood pumps though my body as I let her take charge. Her tongue traces down my chest and stomach as her hands hastily push my sweatpants over my hips, past my knees. I free my legs from them as she continues caressing me with her mouth and hands, while I lose complete control.

“I want you so bad… right now,” I growl, watching her face form into a devilish grin as she continues to tease me with her tongue.

“Good,” she whispers as she seductively removes her own clothing, making me hotter by the second. She owns me and she knows it.

As soon as her body is exposed, my own hands begin to ravish her. She arches her back and sucks in a breath as my fingers touch her all over. She throws her head back and moans while I wrap one arm around her waist, flipping her onto her back as I now take control. “Tables turned,” I tease, sucking on her neck.

“Not really. This is exactly where I want you.” She squirms underneath me while she coaxes me inside her. She buries her hands in my hair, pulling my mouth hungrily to hers as she wraps her legs around my hips. I rock my body inside of her, getting lost in the feeling of being one with her.

***

After we privately celebrate our engagement alone, we’re excited to share the news with everyone else. She asks if anyone knows about my proposal and I tell her that I asked David last night, which earns me another kiss. I’d never do something that big without talking with him first, having his blessing is too important to me, and I know it’s important to her. I tell her how I
was
planning on waiting till Thanksgiving, but the timing felt right now.

“Mikey knows, and, I took De with me to Tiffany’s while we were in Arizona to get her opinion,” I admit.

“I can’t believe she didn’t tell me.” she sounds surprised.

“She wasn’t supposed to tell you. I’d kill her if she told you.” I laugh.

“It’s so beautiful.” She holds out her hand, admiring her ring as the sun and water bounce off the diamonds, making it sparkle even more.

“Just like you. How ‘bout we go out to a nice dinner at the restaurant tonight? This way you can show your dad. We’ll celebrate.”

***

Everyone is happy for us when we make our announcement and my dad grabs a bottle of champagne from the fridge. He pops the cork and the sparkling bubbles spill out of the top of the bottle. We toast our glasses and my mom is eager to talk plans.

“Nothing too big,” JJ says, referring to my mom’s question as to what we are planning. We all laugh, knowing that is exactly what she would say.

“That’s fine by me as long as it’s soon. There’s no reason to drag it out. Ya know?” I add while JJ nods her head in agreement.

“Well, we need to book the church. We have to find a caterer. You have to give me time to get some things together,” my mom says.

“Mom, relax. We just got engaged two seconds ago. We didn’t even get a chance to talk about anything yet,” I say, laughing.

“Yeah, Maria, let them decide what they want. Then, they’ll let you know.” My dad comes to our defense.

We invite Deanna and Mikey to come to dinner with us, but they both agree we should have dinner alone without the two of them tagging along. Deanna hesitantly asks if we would like to meet them afterwards at CJ’s for a drink. At first, I reject the idea, but JJ thinks otherwise.

“Yeah, sure. We’ll meet you when we’re finished with dinner,” she says cheerfully. I give her a look.

“What?” she asks, staring back at me. “Luke, the past is the past. It was one bad night. We’ve had so many fun times at CJ’s. I’d rather remember it for the good times, not the one bad time.”

“She’s got a point,” Mikey adds.

“Plus, she needs to show off that ring to everyone. C’mon, everyone will be happy to see the two of you,” Deanna agrees.

“We’ll be there,” JJ says confidently, giving me a peck on the cheek. I’m still hesitant, but I nod in agreement.

“Get used to it, buddy,” Mikey says, patting me on the back.

***

JJ takes my breath away when she steps out of her room dressed for the evening. The eggplant colored, backless, mini-dress hugs her body tightly, revealing her perfectly toned body. My first thought is to take her back in the room, but I decide I don’t want to mess her up. I’m still adjusting to the maturity in the way she now carries herself. She’s changed, but in a good way. She’s confident, strong and more beautiful than ever.

I call David ahead of time and tell him it’s a special occasion, so he reserves a table for two located in the most romantic location in the restaurant. Considering what we discussed last night, I’m sure he has a good idea of what it is. The table is perfectly decorated with a sage colored tablecloth and a flickering candle sets off just the right amount of light. A bottle of champagne sits chilled on ice, waiting for our arrival.

JJ flashes her ring in front of her face as soon as David meets us at our table. He hugs us and tells us he loves us.

The waiters dote on us, bringing us an assortment of seafood and steaks. We sip our champagne and enjoy our celebration. I’m consumed with happiness. I find it hard to take my eyes away from her for more than a moment.

“What are you looking at?” she asks, feeling giddy from the champagne and the mood of the evening.

“You. I can’t help it. You’re so beautiful and you made me so happy today.”

“You’ve made me happy, too. I can’t wait to be married to you.”

“When?” I ask, smiling.

“Right now,” she says teasingly.

“Let’s go,” I challenge, jumping from my seat.

“You’re crazy.” She laughs. “Seriously, what are you thinking?”

“Honestly, I don’t want to wait. I’m thinking before spring training. What do you think?”

JJ and I previously discussed my tentative schedule come spring. It looks like I’ll be heading to North Carolina in early March to play Triple A ball. It’s gonna suck being apart, but it’s something we expect given my career.

“Sounds good to me. Would Christmas break be too soon?”

“Not soon enough,” I answer.

We quickly agree on a New Year’s Eve Wedding, we consider it our official anniversary date anyway, which doesn’t give us much time to plan. We decide we want to marry in Florida, since that is where we will begin our life together. We’re thinking something small, but something that will be fun for everyone.

Chapter 18

(Deanna)

Mikey is swarmed by guys and girls the second we step foot into CJ’s. He’s become a huge celebrity in our little town
instead of just a hometown hero.

“Great, if his head gets any bigger, he’ll never make it through the door,” I mumble to myself while he takes me by the han
d—
making my heart flutte
r—
and leading me to the back bar to meet our friends. I’d only admit it to myself, but I’m really proud of him.

It’s great seeing everyone again. I spot Cathy and Lori first. It’s odd seeing Lori without Matt, they broke up before heading back to college this year, but they still keep in touch. Who knows, maybe one day they’ll end up together again. Billy is also close by, but he’s busy hooking up with a girl we used to go to school with. Everyone is hoping JJ and Luke show up, they’re looking forward to seeing them and congratulating them on their engagement.

I find myself watching Mikey from across the bar. For some reason, I’m jealous of all the attention he’s receiving. Girls are practically throwing themselves at him. I mean, it’s always been this way, but somehow it feels different to me now. I keep an eye on him as he hangs out at the bar with his friends and throws back a shot. I guess he’s probably filling them in about his hot, new, celebrity girlfriend and life in LA. He hasn’t stopped talking and they look like they’re hanging onto every word he says.

Almost at the same time, the girls and I spot Alexa across the crowded bar. She’s with her friends from high school and a few people that I don’t recognize. I’m hoping it doesn’t ruin JJ’s and Luke’s night if they do decide to show up.

Lori taps me on the shoulder to tell me that Mikey is trying to get my attention. When I turn to face him, he motions for me to come over and I make my way over to meet him.

“Hey, what’s up?” I ask.

He places his arm across my shoulder. “Are you okay? Do you need anything?” His bright blue eyes focus on mine.

A fluttery feeling comes over me and a chill runs down my spine. It’s a feeling that is becoming all too familiar whenever I am with him. It’s been there for as long as I can remember, but I’ve always managed to keep it buried inside. Yet, since we’ve been living apart, whenever I see him it seems to hit me harder.
We’ve always been close and I’ve always felt something strong for him, but assumed it was because of the fact that we grew up together in the same house. However, as we get older, my feelings are intensifying and I’m not sure what to do about it.

“What are you drinking?” he asks, his gaze fixates on my mouth.

“Vodka and Cranberry,” I answer, unable to break away from his eyes.

He orders me a drink as he slides his hand under my hair, massaging the back of my neck with his thumbs and fingers.

“Are you having fun?” he asks.

“Yes. Are you?”

“Yeah, I’m havin’ fun
watchin’ you
,” he answers and I roll my eyes.

“Why do you do that?” He gives me a flirtatious smile.

“What?”

“Roll your eyes when I say somethin’ nice to you.”

“Are you drunk?”

“A little,” He admits, smiling. “So?”

He’s leaning on the bar so that he is eye-level with me and his face is so close that I can smell that he is chewing his favorite cinnamon gum. For some reason, he’s making me nervous, but I like the idea of him flirting with me.

Before I have a chance to respond, we are interrupted by a girl I went to high school with. Cyndi Tollin, an acquaintance of mine; we’ve never hung out, but I know her from hanging around. She’s got these sexy, blue eyes and jet-black hair that all of my guy friends find attractive. Something about her made me always find her annoying in high school, though.

“Hi, Deanna, how are you? You look great,” she says in a phony, upbeat way.

“She does, doesn’t she?” Mikey chimes in as his eyes roam up and down my body.

“Thanks, so do you,” I answer, giving him a nudge in the gut.

“Are you two together now?” Cyndi asks bluntly.

Mikey’s eyes bore into mine. A sly grin crosses his lips while they wait for my response.

“Uh…
n—
no,” I stutter. Mikey gives me a frown.

“Oh good, so you don’t mind introducing us?” Cyndi responds, eyeing him up and down as she scoots closer to him.

I’m appalled and pissed that she actually acts this way in front of me. Mikey on the other hand seems amused by it.