Page 77 of The Transfer
“J, can we talk for a minute?” I ask. My nerves are ramping up.
“What’s up, man?” he asks with a curious look on his face. I think he knows what is coming, so I just rip the Band-Aid off.
“I want to date your sister.” It comes out so fast that I’m not sure he even heard me.
He starts laughing at me. “I know, man.”Okay…laughing is a good sign, I think.
“Look,” I say, “she means a lot to me. I’m not asking permission, but I want you to be good with us being together. I mean, if she wants to be with me. I promise I’m in this for the long haul. She’s it for me, J.”
His eyes widen at that last part. I knew he had an idea that I liked her, but telling him how deep my feelings go wasn’t necessarily part of the plan.Oh well, it’s out there now.
“Riggs, man. I don’t really know what to say. I mean, I knew you liked my sister, but this is beyond what I was expecting.” He has more to say but thinks better of it.
“I know. It’s different with her. I can’t explain it. I just had to tell you, so you knew that this is real for me.” The moment I say it, the weight I’ve been carrying around partially lifts from my shoulders.
“Look, you don’t need my permission, but if you did, you’d have it. You have my blessing, all of it. You are a good man, and I know she likes you, too. But I just gotta warn you: you hurt her, I'll kill you.”
“About that, honestly, I’m surprised I’m still breathing after the way I was when my dad died. Why are you so good with everything?”
“Riggs, my sister is the most important person in my life. As much as I wanted to hurt you for what you did, she would never forgive me if I had. I know that despite it all, her feelings for you haven’t changed, and obviously yours haven’t either.
“You’re going to have to do something besides just telling her how you feel. You need to show it. Because your words have been painful lately, and I don’t know if she trusts them.”
It hurts to hear that, but Jordan is right. She has continually shown me how she feels, and I can reciprocate it. I’m just not sure how.
“What can I do to show her? I’m up for anything,” I tell him, regretting it instantly when I see a smile eerily similar to the Grinch fill his face.
“Anything? I have the best idea.”
“I’m going to regret this, aren’t I?” He laughs at my answer and shakes his head.
“Not if you get the girl in the end.”
He’s right. I will do anything for Reagan Mills, and now is the time to show her.
FIFTY-SEVEN
REAGAN
We have a few days off before flying to Miami for the Final Four. I can’t believe how incredible the guys played last weekend. I’m so proud of them!
All I wanted to do was pull Riggs into a hug, but I held back. I don’t want to disrupt his game or anything else, so I’m just staying and waiting for him to make the first move.
“Do I look okay?”I ask Mackenzie as I do a little twirl in front of my phone. She is my emotional support person tonight via video chat. I have tried on so many outfits, and nothing feels right. I think I’m just freaking out for no reason.
The team decided that going to open mic night at The Draft was how they wanted to celebrate their trip to the Final Four. I would normally love that plan, but after Halloween, I haven’t been back, and I’m not looking forward to it tonight either.
“Yes, Rea. You look gorgeous,” she promises me. My beautiful best friend has been checking in on me constantly, encouraging me and listening, even when I just sit on the phone with her and cry.
I decide on a short cream dress that fits like a glove until it flares a little at the waist and a pair of Brown Sail Dunks. My hair is curled in loose waves down my back, and I kept the makeup simple, except for the dramatic eye shadow and an extra coat of mascara to make my eyes pop.
Feeling good about myself, I grab my purse and head downstairs. Jordan ushers me to our Jeep, and we head to the bar, about a five-mile drive from where we live.
Walking in, my eyes scan the bar. I see the rest of the CTU basketball team taking up a few tables in the middle of the room. Jordan and I walk over, and I find a seat facing the stage, so I can watch all the performers.
Next thing I know, a server is dropping off drinks for the table. Jordan places an order, and I’m about to do the same when a Dr Pepper is set down right in front of me. I look at my brother, but he is just as confused as I am.
“It’s from a secret admirer. But I can take it back if you don’t want it,” the server tells me as shock creases my brow.
