Page 212 of Heartache Duet

Trevor turns up the volume as the East team enters the court. They file into a line for the national anthem, and the camera moves past each player. My breath halts when Connor appears on the screen, and then disappears completely when I notice the huge black writing on both his arms. “Did he get tattoos overnight?” Trevor murmurs.

“Go back,” I demand.

“It’s a live stream, dumbass.”

I grunt, wanting to know what the hell’s on his arms. Luckily, just a few minutes later while showing the warm-ups, the announcers seem as intrigued as I am. “What’s on Ledger’s arms?” one of them asks.

“Who knows? Kids with full-sleeve tattoos are a thing these days,” the other retorts.

“Can we zoom in on his arms?” says the first, and the cameraman must hear because he focuses in on one of Connor’s arms while he shoots from the three-point line.

“Is that…” It’s clear the first announcer is trying to read it, but I already know what it says, and my heart plummets from the weight of Connor’s love.

“Ava E. D. Diaz,” I whisper, my smile unrestrained. “Oh, my God…”

“It seems to be a girl’s name,” the announcer laughs out. “What a lucky girl!”

“What’s on the other arm?”

The camera focuses on his other arm, and my grin is so pathetically stupid I can’t help but cry. “First and Forever.”

“Marry him, Ava,” Mom orders.

I plan to…

I keep that thought to myself.

CONNOR

Ava: Oh, you! I don’t even know what to say, Connor. You blow me away every damn day. I can’t believe you did that!

Ava: Damn, #3. Way to show up!

Ava: Holy shit of a dunk! That backboard’s crying for its mama. I can hear it from here!!!

Ava: Dude, you need to give your opponent a break.

Ava: How the hell were you ranked so low when you’re the best player out there!

Ava: Your agent better be watching this. Making calls. Working deals!

Ava: My boy!!!

Ava: Fuck. I think I’ve lost my voice.

Ava: OMG!!!

Ava: CONNOR LEDGER, EVERYONE!! MV motherfucking P.

Ava: MVP! MVP! MVP!

Ava: Okay, I’m done!

Ava: MVP! MVP! MVP! MVP!

Ava: Okay, now I’m really done.

Ava: You’re so getting lucky when you get back. I’ll do that thing with my tongue that you like. For, like, a month. Every night. Multiple times.

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