For the Game by Amber Garza Page B

proved me wrong. And she’d saved me. Saved me from a life of loneliness. With her I felt whole and complete, connected. She showed me that I wasn’t unable to connect. I just hadn’t met anyone worth connecting with. But she was worth it. Damn, was she worth it.
    “I love it, baby,” I finally said.
    “I’m glad.” I could practically hear her smiling. “And I love my necklace.”
    “I know jewelry’s not really your thing. But when I saw it I could picture it on your neck, and I had to buy it,” I explained.
    “I know, and I truly love it.”
    I’d bought London a silver necklace with a single charm on it – a baseball. She was such a tomboy that she didn’t own one piece of jewelry. But this necklace wasn’t gaudy or girly looking. And I figured when she wore it it would remind her of me. I liked the thought that when I went back to school there would be a piece of me next to her heart.
    “See you in the morning?” London asked, but there was no need to.
    “Of course,” I responded. I’d only left her house a couple of hours ago, and I planned to show up first thing in the morning. There was only one week left before I had to be back for practices, and I planned to spend every minute I could with London.
    “Are you going to go to Nate’s at some point?”
    “We’ll see.” Nate was here visiting from college too. He’d texted a couple of times, and while I wanted to see him, I hated the idea of it breaking into my time with London.
    “Coop, he’s your oldest friend. You’ve known him longer than me.”
    “Yeah, and maybe if he looked as sexy as you I’d want to see him,” I joked.
    London giggled. Damn, I loved that sound. “You need to see him. I’ll go with you if you want.”
    “You know you’re the coolest girlfriend ever, right?”
    “I have heard that before, yes.”
    “Okay. I’ll text him in the morning and let you know what we decide.”
    “Sounds good.” I heard her yawn. “I’ll talk to you tomorrow.”
    After a round of “I love yous,” we hung up. I scooped up London’s manuscript and headed upstairs, the pages fluttering between my fingers. Once I reached my room, I set the papers down, my gaze connecting with the hero’s name. My heart leapt, remembering her saying that I was the inspiration behind him. I only hoped I could live up to it. That I would always be her hero, her savior. That I would always be worthy of her heart.
     
    In the morning I texted Nate like I promised London I would. I’d just taken a shower, and the scent of shampoo drifted into my nostrils as I shot him off a text.
    Me: Hey, man. When do u want to meet?
    Phone in hand, I bounded down the stairs, my bare feet slapping against the steps. The sound of Grandma and Grandpa talking and the scent of coffee floated from the kitchen.
    Nate: Finally got a break from newspaper chick, huh?
    Shaking my head, I chuckled.
    Me: Just for a little while.
    Nate: Cool. Want to meet for coffee?
    Rounding the corner toward the kitchen, I exited the screen and texted London.
    Me: Nate wants to meet for coffee this morning. U want to come or just get together later?
    “Good morning,” Grandma greeted me when I stepped into the bright kitchen. The blinds were open, light streaming in the windows and painting yellow stripes on the beige walls.
    “Hey.” I flashed a smile, and then glanced over at Grandpa who was sitting at the table, a mug of coffee in his hand. My phone buzzed, and I looked at it.
    London: Go spend time with your friend and come over later.
    Me: Ok.
    “Can I get you anything?” Grandma asked.
    “No, I’m actually gonna meet Nate for coffee.”
    “Oh, how nice,” Grandma said.
    “Tell him we said hi,” Grandpa interjected.
    “I will,” I assured him as I shot off another text to Nate.
    Me: I’m open. Just tell me when and where.
    The truth was that I was looking forward to seeing Nate. London was right. He was my oldest friend, and I liked seeing him. Still, I was hoping the