Page 17

“ I can’t believe it’s been one whole year since we started dating,” I say to Jade as we leave our apartment together. Yes, you heard that right. Jade and I moved in together just a few weeks ago. Instead of one of us moving into the other’s apartment, we decided it would be best if we found a brand new one together, starting afresh.

Gripping Jade’s hand, I lift it to my mouth and press a kiss against her knuckles.

“I know. I’m sorry we can’t celebrate like a normal couple,” Jade says to me.

“Hey,” I say, stopping both of us in our tracks, pulling her attention to me. “Never be sorry that you have to play basketball. It’s your job. Would you be mad at me if I had to work?”

“Well, no—” Jade begins, but I don’t let her continue.

“It goes the same for you. You don’t have to be sorry for working,” I inform her. It’s the start of a new season and tonight is the first game. We decided to have this be our anniversary date because it never felt like our relationship was “fake”, it always felt real. The first game last season was the first time we presented ourselves as a couple, so we call it our anniversary.

She takes a step toward me and gives me a soft kiss on the lips. “You are perfect,” she says.

“Perfect for you, and only you,” I tell her. “Alright, time to get you to the arena,” I say, pulling her toward the car.

Opening the passenger side door, I hear her whisper, “Thank you.”

As I round the car, I watch as Jade pulls out her ear buds and puts them in. I know what she is going to do next before she even does it—It’s her routine or ritual. You know how players can be.

She plays with her phone, turning on her hype up playlist, the one I helped create for her. As I get into the car, I make sure to be the good boyfriend that I am and try to stay as quiet as possible so she can soak in her music.

We stay in silence as we drive to the arena. Neither of us says a word as we get out of the car on auto pilot and head toward the locker room. I stop right outside of it because you know I’m a man—you gotta respect the ladies.

Jade pulls out her ear bud and looks over at me. She blows me a kiss and I say, “Good luck, Elsa.”

With that, she leaves me as she goes into the locker room. Once she’s out of sight, my hand instinctively goes to my pocket, and I feel around for it. When I feel the outside of the velvet box, my nerves start to calm. This should be epic.

When half time rolls around, the butterflies in my stomach take flight. I can’t believe I’m about to do this. Both teams have just gotten off the court and are wiping the sweat off, waiting to go into the locker rooms.

That’s when I get the signal. I take a step onto the court and one of the assistant’s hands me a microphone. The spotlight blinds me, and I hold up my arm to block out the light a little.

“Can I get everyone’s attention?” I say into the mic. The moment my voice comes across the speakers, the whole arena goes silent.

That’s when I feel it. Every single eye is now on me, including the ones that matter the most. I take a deep breath and try to hold it together.

“I’m Cliff. Jade’s boyfriend,” I say to the audience. Then I look over to the Los Angeles Stars side, and though I can’t see Jade, I know she’s there.

“Jade, can you come out here?” I ask.

It takes a few minutes, but finally I see Jade slowly walk to the center of the court right in front of me. “Jade, I’ve loved you for a long time now even before I knew it.” Dropping to one knee, I pull out the box, opening it to present her with the ring I picked out for her.

Jade’s hands go to her face as tears begin to well up in her eyes. “Jade, I’m ready for you to be mine forever. In front of everyone I want to ask you, will you marry me?”

Furiously, Jade nods her head and I gather my strength to get up and walk over to her. Grabbing the ring, I slide it onto her ring finger. We wrap our arms around each other as our lips crash together.

The crowd roars with excitement. I grab the microphone from the floor and yell into it, “She said yes!”

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Thank you for reading the Pump Fake. I would love it if you reviewed it, anywhere you read books.

Interested in reading about Cliff's brother Taylor and how he got with Mya? Read about their happily ever after in Her Deal for Love .

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Read an unedited version sneak peek from my next book in Her Love After Goodbye, coming April 14th.

Ashley finally gets her happily ever after.