Page 75 of My Heart to Keep
Once we were both seated, Mr. Patrick turned his body slightly toward me. “Where do you see yourself in five years?”
I had no idea how the conversation would go, but Coach had given me a heads-up that Mr. Patrick would ask about life beyond college.
I straightened my spine. “I would love to play for the NBA one day.”
“What if you couldn’t?” Mr. Patrick asked.
I’d pondered that very question a million times. “I’ve thought about the military and maybe one day coaching at the high school level.” I flicked a quick look at Coach.
He had a proud expression.
“The college certainly offers several different majors, like teaching, if that’s what you had in mind.”
I hadn’t considered teaching, but if I wanted to coach, a teaching degree would be a good first step. And how cool would that be for Quinn and me to teach at the same school?
I grinned at Mr. Patrick. “It might be.” Dad had always said to make sure I planned for life after the NBA.
“There’s no need for you to decide on a major right now. Maiken, the sports director, coach, and I are very pleased with what we’ve seen on your tapes. I’m extremely happy with what I saw out on that court tonight. Your skills have improved greatly since I watched you play back in October at the scrimmage game. And Coach Green here”—he tipped his head at his friend—“has done a great job molding you. Your three-point shots are effortless. It’s evident you’re a natural for the game.”
“I can’t take all the credit, Richard,” Coach said as he leaned back in his chair. “Coach Dean at Kensington has done a fine job as well.”
“My dad has too, sir. Well, before he passed away, that is.”
A veil of sorrow flashed in Mr. Patrick’s eyes. “He sure has, son. And an upstanding student too. Your grades show that. I only have one last question for you. On behalf of Boston College, we would like to extend an offer for you to play starting next year. But before you decide, we would also like to invite you to take a tour of the campus and check out the facilities.”
I was ready to burst with glee and shout to the world that I’d done it. I had achieved something that I thought would never be possible given Dad’s death, moving, my aunt dying of breast cancer, my family’s struggles, and my accident. I didn’t have to see the campus to give him my answer. While BC wasn’t my first choice, there were so many good things about the school, the basketball program, the proximity to home, and to Quinn if she decided to attend a school in Boston. Mom would definitely be happy and proud.
I grinned from ear to ear. “I would love to visit the campus.”
Mr. Patrick rose. “Glad to hear it. I’ll be in touch with a date and time. I’ll let Coach Green know as well. I need to get on the road.”
“Before you head out,” Coach Green said, “I need to talk to you about another matter. It will only take a minute.”
That was my cue to leave, and I couldn’t wait to run back to the dorm and tell Ethan and my other siblings. I also couldn’t wait to call Mom and share the great news with Quinn, who was waiting for me in my dorm room.
After Mr. Patrick and I shook hands and I thanked him profusely, I hustled out of there. I jogged through the sports complex at breakneck speed. I felt as though a ten-ton weight had been lifted off my shoulders. I was about to play for a Division I school.
I burst through the doors and out into the cool night air. I ran all the way to my dorm then took the stairs two at a time, huffing and puffing.
When I burst into my dorm room, Quinn jumped up from her spot on my bed. Before she could say a word, I tackled her to the bed—gently, of course.
“BC wants me to play ball for them.”
She squealed. “Oh my God! That’s fantastic.”
I was over the moon. I couldn’t contain myself or control my hands or lips. I devoured all of her—her lips, her tongue, and everything I could get my hands and mouth on.
She giggled as we kissed like we hadn’t seen each other in years. Ever since we’d started having sex, I couldn’t get enough of her. Each time was better and better, and man, Kade had been so spot-on. Being in love with a person heightened the senses to the max. Quinn gave me a high like no other. When I was with her, I felt like I could fly. Our future was shaping up to be fantastic. I had my girl. I had an offer to play ball, and I would be close to my family. I couldn’t ask for anything more.
I nibbled on her ear. “I love you, Quinn Thompson. You have made my life complete.”
Her answer wasn’t what I was expecting, but I wasn’t complaining when she removed her top. “Noah and Ethan know to stay away.”
Noah and Quinn had come up together for the game, which surprised me since she’d been mad at him for the part he’d played in the pig prank.
“He was sincere and very apologetic to Daddy,” she’d told me. “And everyone deserves a second chance, even Tessa.” According to Quinn, Tessa had even apologized to her parents.
I laughed. “You’ve been planning this?”
