“I can’t force him to feel something he doesn’t. And even if he did feel the same, what if he can’t be what I need?” I voice my real concerns out loud. Being responsible for a tiny human means I can’t settle or accept less than I deserve, even if I think I’d be willing to take any scraps Joel would give me if things were different.

“Then at least you can move on knowing you gave it your all. But right now, looking at you, I know you are still hoping for him to change his mind. Maybe he’s having the same reservations.”

The game ends late and at Nadine’s insistence, I find myself in the guest room staying the night. Valley won, and I hold my phone over my face debating on texting Joel. I can’t believe I’m about to take Victor’s advice, of all people.

Me: Congrats on the game! Christian and I watched. We’ll be cheering you on Monday!

My phone rings a minute later with a video call.

“Hey,” I answer, heart in throat as Joel’s face appears on the screen. It’s the first time I’ve seen him in weeks.

“Hey yourself.” He props a hand behind his head, and I can tell he’s lying in bed.

“Shouldn’t you be out celebrating?”

“I’ll celebrate Monday night when we win. Until then, eat, sleep, ball.”

I hear Nathan grumble in the background and Joel flips him off. “I gotta go, Kitty, just wanted to see your face. Tell little man I said hey.”

“I will. Night.”

He smiles into the phone, the sexy cocky smirk I fell in love with, and my heart squeezes. “Night, Kitty.”

40

JOEL

Z’s tears mix with my own. I’m crying like a baby and I don’t even care. We won. Valley University has its first NCAA basketball championship trophy and our team has done something each one of us has dreamt about.

We take turns cutting the net down, there are interviews after interviews. It’s the best type of insanity. The greatest moment of my entire life, one I’ll never ever forget. My parents and sisters are watching down from their seats and there’s a comfort and sense of contentment that flows along with the excitement.

It’s late by the time the crowd clears, we shower, and head to the mixer for players, family, and whoever else was deemed important enough.

“Congratulations.” Michelle moves to me first and hugs me tightly. She’s covered head to toe in blue and yellow. So much Valley pride runs through her blood there’s no doubt she’ll be a proud Valley U student as soon as she graduates high school.

Bree doesn’t hug me, but she does smile and tell me good game which is as much as I can expect from her. She’s graduating high school this year and already stated loud and clear she’s going anywhere but Valley. She hasn’t applied anywhere else, so I’m calling bullshit.

“We’re so proud of you.” My mother places both hands on my face before pulling me to her. “Estamos muy orgullosos de ti. Siempre.”