End Game

Epilogue

"Wow, you look nice." Michael leans against the bathroom door, smiling at Jo through the mirror.

"It's a big day." She chuckles, "Is it crazy how nervous I am?"

"No, you've played with the same organization your whole career, you've made it to the finals three times, you've won twice with them. It's not crazy that you're nervous to give all of that up after seven amazing seasons. But it's also not crazy for you to want to come here, to live with me full time finally, and to give priority to us and our relationship." Michael wanders towards her, his hands falling to her hips, thumbs rubbing soft circles into her lower back.

"The Sparks are in a better place, and I have two rings, it's not like I'm screwing my career over entirely. Plus, they've offered a much higher payout than the Aces can... that sounds selfish and shallow but it's worth considering. But most of all, I love that moving teams and being here means I get to come home every single night to our home, and most of them to you." She spins in his arms, resting her hands behind his neck.

"I really love that part too." He chuckles, bending to kiss her gently, "You should go, before you're late for your meeting."

"I should only be a couple hours. Do you want me to pick up dinner on my way home?"

"Na, I can take care of that, you just worry about signing your new contract with LA."

"Okay." She giggles, kissing him one more time before slipping out of his hold, grabbing her bag off the end of the bed and heading for the car.

When the Aces had won their second championship in three years the previous September, Jo knew it would most likely be her last game with the organization. She was entering unrestricted free agency, and if the Sparks wanted her, she wanted them. It was no longer just about basketball, it was about her life, and that included factoring in Michael. They'd made it through nearly three years of long distance, through tours, basketball seasons and camps, and normal relationship ebbs and flows as well. And now was the time she could truly show him how much she was willing to do for him. She loves the Aces team and organization, she wouldn't be her without it. But at this point in her life, choosing love is more important. The Sparks need what she can offer, and they are only a short drive from Michael, a commute instead of a plane ride.

Driving in LA isn't ideal, but she'd do it a million times to get to go home to Michael every night, and the drive downtown to the arena isn't a bad one. Pulling up to the gate ten minutes before she's supposed to be upstairs to meet with the team's executives. She's jittery, but it's the excited kind of nervous, she's confident in her choice and ready for it to be made official.

"JP, welcome to Crypto.com Arena." She's greeted by the president of the Sparks as she steps out of the elevator.

"Happy to be here." She nods, holding her hand out to shake.

"We are happy you're here too."

***

"Mike! How close is she?" Ashton yells, finishing up the task he'd been assigned.

"Shit, she's five minutes out! You guys need to leave!" Michael yells back, ushering his friends out of his house, we'll all except Ryan.

"Good luck, man!" Luke yells over his shoulder as they pile into Calum's Range Rover and take off.

Michael takes a deep breath as he's left alone, Ryan getting set up in the backyard with his camera and drone. Hurrying down the hall Michael finds the small black box hidden in a drawer in his gaming room, somewhere he knew Jo wouldn't stumble across it. Tucking it into his pocket as he heads back out, turning off lights until she'll have to wander towards the back of the house to find him.