Nathan stepped into the waiting room and saw Tracy chatting with probably a former colleague. She hasn’t noticed him yet and he took the opportunity to sneak up behind her. Her colleague glanced at him briefly but obviously seeing his intention, she didn’t let her gaze linger on him to avoid any suspicion. Coming up behind Tracy, he hugged her from behind while making a scary sound close to her ear. She gasped in shock and almost screamed, but hearing his laughter and seeing the chuckling of her friend. She turned and spanked him on his shoulder while he laughed some more and pulled her in for a kiss.
“Is that what they taught you in California, to sneak up on pregnant women huh?” she asked while wrapping her hands around his neck to kiss him back.
“Mm hmm,” he groaned in satisfaction, “especially if I know that she would be scared out of her wits,” he murmured when he finally released her lips, placing his forehead on hers and not letting go of her waist.
“I wasn’t scared out of my wits,” she lied.
“We both know you are lying,” someone said and they both turned to her friend. “I saw you and you were really scared.”
Tracy rolled her eyes, “you remember Stella, right?”
Nathan studied the lady’s facial features and only then realized that she looked familiar. “I can’t quiet place it.”
“She spent some days in my place two years ago and was really crushing on you, remember?” Tracy filled in.
“Oh,” Nathan chuckled, finally remembering her. “She has changed.”
“Of course she has, when she is busy fucking every dick she came about,” Tracy rolled her eyes.
“Ouch,” Stella placed her hand on her chest, feigning hurt. “You only said that to make him dislike me so that I won’t take him away from you, didn’t you?”
“You can’t take him even if you tried,” Tracy said proudly. “Because Nathan is not like the other men, he sees only me and likewise me to him.” She chuckled and kissed him chastely, ignoring Stella who rolled her eyes.
“You got that right babe, just you,” Nathan concurred.
“Oh please, some of us have better things to do than just fuck around,” Stella said but it was obvious she was happy for her friend. “I have to go prepare for work Trace, I promise to come around during my week off. I would really love to spend some more time with you two lovesick birds.”
Tracy chuckled and hugged her, “see you soon.”
“Of course,” Stella said and then to Nathan, she raised an eyebrow, “hey you, you better take care of her being popular as you are now, do you hear me?”
Nathan smiled, “I plan to and you have nothing to worry about.”
“Good, see you soon love,” she winked and then walk away to get ready for the next flight. Nathan and Tracy left the airport and he took the wheels of his Jeep which she had come to pick him up with. When they got to his house, it was crowded with his schoolmates that had come to welcome him and also some adults that wanted to share in his goodwill. Tracy and Lucy entertained everyone and when they finally have their house to themselves, it was 9:00PM.
“Phew, glad that is finally over,” Lucy said, slumping on the sofa with a satisfied moan.
Nathan and Tracy chuckled, sitting side by side on the couch. Linking his fingers with hers, Nathan brought her hand to his lips and kissed the back of her palm, sending a tingling sensation through her being and Lucy pretended not to see anything while hiding a smile. “Now that is over, I have something to talk to you two about.”
“Hmm, that sounded serious,” Lucy said and Tracy nodded.
“Should I serve drinks?” Tracy offered and Nathan shook his head.
He heaved a sigh and glanced from one woman to the other, “mom, Trace,” he blew out air, “I have good news?”
“You don’t sound so sure about the good part,” Tracy noticed.
Nathan nodded. “Well, you tell me. Last night, after the game, I found out that Calvin didn’t hurt his ankle.”
“What?” the two women were surprised.
“Yes,” Nathan nodded, “in fact, our meeting wasn’t chanced at all.” He licked his lips and related everything that Calvin told him last night to them.
“Wow,” Lucy found her voice first, “so?”
“Well, Janis asked me to be their new Point Guard.”
“What?” they shouted again but this time, their voice was laced with joy.
“Yes, he did,” Nathan chuckled, glad that they were happy with the news.
“So, what did you say?” Tracy asked and Lucy nodded.
“Well, I told him to give me today to speak with you guys first and that I will give him my answer first thing tomorrow morning.”
“Wow Nathan, we appreciate you thought about us first, but we already know what the answer will be,” Tracy said and glanced at Lucy, “right?”
“Yes,” Lucy nodded. “Son, we both know that you have loved this team since you were little. If an opportunity presented itself for you to join them, there is no two ways about it. This is your future and you have the right to decide which part you want it to take.”
“Thanks mom, really, thank you both,” he smiled and shook his head. “Wow, I am surrounded by the most supportive family.”
“Of course, we will always have your back,” Tracy smiled. “But then again, I can’t help but feel like there is a catch to this.”
Nathan nodded at that, “yes,” he sighed. “I will have to stick with them for a year. Calvin is going for his surgery and they have a whole year full. I need to be in each and every game and that means…” he glanced at Tracy, “I won’t go to school.”
“What? Nathan…” Tracy began.
“It’s just for a year, listen,” he grabbed her hands in his. “Just one year out of school and after that, I can be able to merge work with school. Calvin said he did his that way and that I could too. Janis is ready to let me work and study but on one condition that I will give one year to the team.”
“But…your admission, your scholarship,” she sighed.
“Well, Calvin wasn’t lying when he said he went to school with some of the supervisors. He called one of them and he said I will still have the admission but not the scholarship. But that is okay Trace. Listen, in one year, I won’t need a scholarship to go to school anymore. I will be able to pay for whatever tuition fee or anything. Money won’t be the problem anymore.”
Tracy glanced at Lucy and the woman smiled and sighed. “I will let you two decide on this one. Whatever decision you come up with, I will support you.” She stood up and gave the room to them.
When alone, Nathan went on his knees in front of Tracy and cupped her cheeks, looking into her beautiful hazel eyes. “This is the breakthrough we are looking for. Joining Phoenix Suns will change everything. I will get to make a name for myself and I will be able to take care of you as I should and mom too. You two have taken care of me for as long as I can remember, now it’s my turn.” He wiped away her tears with his thumbs. “I will be able to provide for you, and…” he chuckled, “we won’t have to worry about Natalie’s future anymore. With a capable father and a loving mother, I’m not sure she would lack anything in this world.” He leaned down and kissed her belly, and then looked up at her again. “It’s just a year Trace; I promise you that I will finish school. It’s a promise to you and I will do it.”
Tracy closed her eyes and two lines of tears cascaded down her cheeks and Nathan wiped them off. “You will be gone for a year.”
“Yes.”
“You promised to be around when Natalie would be born,” she looked at him then. “You won’t fulfill that promise.”
“Yes I will.”
“How? What if you have a game that day? What if you are in a court playing and then it started, how will you do it?” she asked and then shook her head immediately. “Oh God, I’m being selfish right now.”
“No,” Nathan shook his head. “No you are not and to be honest, I’m happy that you want me to be around.”
Tracy smiled faintly, “but it would be selfish of me to ask you to turn down a life changing offer just because of one day that is going to happen sometime in four months to come.”
Nathan sighed, not knowing what to say anymore. “You will have me,” Lucy said and they both turned to her. “Or don’t I matter anymore?” she asked, walking up to them and placing her hand on Tracy’s shoulder. “Besides, if he has a break, he would come visit, right?” she raised an eyebrow at Nathan.
“Of course,” he nodded, “I don’t see why not.”
Tracy smiled and then nodded, “fine,” she chuckled. “Grab that opportunity,” she said, trying to be playful and they all chuckled at that.
Nathan stood up and leaned forward, kissing her softly on the lips. “Thank you, really, thank you so much, for everything.”