Can't Forget

Chapter 58

BG is headed back to Nashville knowing he has to leave on tour in a few days and has a ton of interviews to do. He hates that he will miss JJ's championship game and substate game. He already has it worked out to be there for her regional games and state final games. Yeah he won't get alto of sleep on those days but he won't miss them even if he had to rearrange a concert. He needs to make sure she knows that she's important to him. And then just a couple weeks after that he is gonna marry that woman. He doesn't know how he got to be so lucky that she chose him but he is so glad she did.

  JJ is getting ready for bed and she looks down at her ring and she smiles knowing that in just a few weeks she will marry the one man who has owned her heart her whole life. Last thing she does is send a prayer up for his safety as he travels and then sends him a text.

JJ:  I know you are driving but wanted you to know I love you! Thanks for being there tonight.

When BG arrives in Nashville he looks at his phone and smiles.

BG: I made it baby and I love you too! I will talk to you later today. Hope you have a good one.

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   JJ is standing on the floor looking around at the college gym at their crowd support. Her girls are about to take the floor in their first regional championship game appearance. She is looking for BG and can't find him. She hopes that has okay cause he had to fly out of a storm. She sees Ko and he gives her their rock on signal and she gives it back. She is still searching the crowd when Oakley asks," Coach Jax we are really here aren't we?"
JJ smiles,"Yes we are really here and its time to show them all why we are here."

The game before them ends and the boys clear off the court and the music starts and the girls run out to warm up. JJ makes her way to the bench and talks to her assistant and a couple of people at the table that she knows from her college days that are now in Alabama.  She hears her name called and she looks up and standing on the rail behind her bench is BG and the band. They all came and she starts to tear up and Ben said,"there's no crying in basketball JJ "
She smiles and walks up to the rail where BG squats down and he takes her hand and said,"I told you I was coming baby."
She grins and said,"Not right now BG, I have a game to focus on" he growls as she laughs and walks back to the bench to meet with the officials and the other coach and team captains.
   Oakley gets the tip off and they start out well but have their forward get in foul trouble. She has to sub for her and they are doing okay. It is a close game and it continues to rock on with the lead changing back and forth. It is coming down to the wire in the 4th quarter, they are leading by 5 and it is counting down to the last minute and the other team starts to foul them so they can get the ball back. They fouled Oakley pretty hard and she goes to the line and looks at Coach Jax and she tells her,"you and the ball Oak, focus and shut it all out. " Oakley makes the first shot and goes to take her second shot and JJ knows if she makes it that they have pretty much won this game with a lead of 7 and 45 sec on the clock. JJ yells defense zone no fouls don't let them shoot 3 . Oakley makes the second shot and heads back down the floor. She looks up at Ko in the stands and he is yelling and sees her and gives her the rock on signal. Oakley smiles and focuses on playing defense. As the last seconds tick off the clock Oakley runs to JJ and hugs her and celebrates with their team. They are the Northwest regional winners.  JJ takes her team back to the locker room and talk with them and then her and Oakley and Holly go to the media room for their interviews. As they come out JJ is picked up and spun around and so is Oakley .
  BG kisses JJ as he sets her in her feet telling her how proud he is of her and that he wants to take the team out to celebrate their win. JJ agrees and tells the girls. Ko has his arm slung over Oakley shoulder and it causes JJ to smile. They have 2 more games and then they will have won the state championship. 
    BG walks her to the bus and kisses her and tells her he will meet them at the restaurant. When they get there they practically takeover and her team and parents and supporters get to meet BG and the band. They spend a couple hours celebrating and BG and the band start to leave saying goodbye to everyone. JJ walks him out and she leans in  kissing him causing him to growl. "I promise to celebrate with you proper as soon as we can darling" BG tells her. JJ pulls his beard bringing his ear close to her mouth where she whispers,"I will hold you to that cowboy, now get on the road before I kidnap you and take you home with me."
  BG hugged her close and said,"this gets harder instead of easier"
With tears in her eyes," I love you Brantley Keith"
He holds her and tells her" I love you Jennifer Justine. Just think only 3 weeks till we are married" She nods and he gets in the car and she stands and watches him leave with tears rolling sown her face.