Page 86 of Drew
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?”
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.
