Can't Forget

Chapter 65

JJ is getting out of the shower about to eat breakfast when Lana tells her she has a visitor. Thinking it was one of the girls, more than likely Oakley she yells for her to send them in. Ko walks in and she turns and whisper yells,"What the hell were you thinking Ko? Oakley in your room all night, do you know what could have happened if it were someone else who caught her sneaking out of your room at 5am? She could have been stripped of not playing in this game today. Everything she worked for all her high school career and you almost cost her. You are the adult and yes Oakley told me nothing happened but others wouldn't have cared Ko they would ruin her. Now I'm gonna say one last thing and then I'm done cause I got to focus on my game today. I know that you care about her and if I didn't I would beat your ass right now. But you need to man the hell up and quit friend zoning her or you will lose her. I get the age thing bothers you but you need to get your head out of your ass cause that girl cares about you. If you want her then you need to let her know and do things the right way. Now with all that said I love you Ko and I'm glad that you were there for her but it could have ended badly for her. It can work you just have to be very careful and know I have your back if you need help and need to know what to do."
"JJ why the hell do you think I'm here I freaked out when I woke up and saw her note and then she text me just a few minutes again saying you caught her leaving my room. Nothing happened, I promise, well nothing but a lot of talking and watching a movie and I kissed her. I told her I wanted to do this the right way and talk to her parents and you but I need to know how they feel. You know them can you help me figure it out? Will they accept it or will they give her a hard time? I won't let me caring about her cause problems with her family. If I have to wait till May when she graduates and goes to UGA I will. I care that much. I saw last night that what I was doing hurt her and that tore me up. So I get why your mad I didn't mean to fall asleep and she didn't either. I was gonna send her back when the movie was over. Please don't be mad at me JJ you are my best friend besides BG."
"Okay we will figure it all out I love you brother. Now get your ass out of here so I can get ready and get my team focused on this game. Go bug your big brother and keep him out of trouble."
Ko hugged JJ and left the room and she put on her black dress pants, black and white patterned sleeveless shell and her blue blazer with her signature 4 inch black heels. She does her hair and makeup and walks to the living space and her girls are there finishing breakfast. JJ grabs a protein shake and asks them if they are ready to load their stuff on the bus. They all do that and they make their way over to the BJCC. They do the same routine they did on Monday. JJ is looking at her phone walking around trying to get her head on straight when she sees BG and Ko up ahead. She walks to them and BG hugs her and said,"Baby take a deep breath and tell me what you are so upset about."
JJ shakes her head and said," I'm fine I just have to clear my head and get my game face on and today is a little harder than normal. It's my last game as their coach, I want them to go out on top not for me but so they will know what that feels like. Today is a hard day and I've got a lot on my mind."
Ko said," I'm sorry JJ I wasn't thinking about all that and how you might be feeling."
BG said," what the hell have you done brother to upset her?"
JJ said," nothing I can't think about that Ko I have to be focused and if I can't focus how can I expect them to focus?"
BG took her in his arms and said," remember your motto 32 minutes, you, your team and the ball. That is how you focus. No matter what happens today JJ they have lived a dream getting here. Cause they are one of the top 2 teams in the state. But we all know that they are the best and they have the best coach. Now go do your thing Jennifer Justine and I will see you on the court."
JJ walks away and BG turns to Ko and said," you better get to talking"
Ko tells him what has happened and it pisses BG off he says," if you care about Oakley like I think you do Ko then you need to make it right with her parents otherwise stay the hell away and if you think for one damn minute that you are gonna fuck her and leave then you better be prepared for me to whoop your ass. If you do that shit you might as well kiss your friendship with JJ goodbye cause she loved that girl something fierce. Now let's go watch them kick ass but you better pay attention to what I just said."
Ko said," I ain't like you BG I don't fuck em and leave em. Why the hell so you think I have friend zoned her because I want her happy and I wasn't sure she could be happy with someone like me. She deserves a better man but when she said she was thinking about going back to that asshole last night because he was the only one who cared about her well let's just say it opened my eyes. Now let's go watch the damn game."

JJ and her team made their way to the end of the tunnel to warm up and they only thought they had a cheering section on Monday. The entire side was a sea of blue and black decked supporters. JJ looked at them and said," Just like always, 32 minutes you, the ball and your team all out leaving it all on the court. For some of you this will be the last 32 minutes you get make it count. Now let's go put on a show for our fans."
The girls run out and warm up. They have the coaches meeting with the captains and then its game time. Holly wins the tip off and the game is on, hard and fast back and forth. At the end of the first quarter they are ahead 32-28. The refs are calling pretty decent until the guard on the other team hits Oakley with a forearm in the face. They don't call a foul and JJ calls a time out and has them come to her so she can show them Oakley eye swelling and bruised. The tell her its basketball. JJ starts to lose her cool and she hears," your game Coach, play your game." She dismisses the refs and turns to her girls and said," we play our game keep it classy but play with all you have. Keep forcing the guard to the left and Jade you be ready to snag the pass to that wing. She can't dribble with her left so that is where we can get points." The girls do what JJ tells them and they go on a 12-0 run. At halftime they are ahead 56- 32. JJ tells them that they have 16 minutes left and not to count the other team out cause they are a second half team.
At the end of the 3rd quarter the score was 66- 50. JJ tells them they have to keep pushing she knows they are tired but they can do it. They have a girl that hits 4 3 point shots bringing the score to 66-62, JJ puts her starters in and they are playing the last 3 minutes in foul trouble but with 1 minute left Oakley hits a 3 and then steals the ball and hits another 3 and was fouled she makes the free throw putting the score to 73-62 and Holly steals it laying it in and as the buzzer sounds the final score is 76-62.
Oakley and the team jump up and hug they run to JJ and hug her and tell her to look in the stands and she does and her tears flow. She sees that their parents are holding signs that say, Thank you Coach Jax! We will miss you but we will never forget you!!
She hugs them all as they announce the runner up and then present them with the Blue Map State Championship Trophy. The local news interview her and ask what the signs meant. JJ looks at them and said," Today was my last time to coach these girls in a game. I am getting married in 3 weeks and will be moving to Georgia at the end of May where I will be traveling with my husband as he tours."
"Well who is your fiancé ?"
JJ smiled and said," It is Brantley Gilbert and I will be going with him on his tours. I told my girls a little bit ago and my principals but didn't want it to be about me but about this great group of girls and what they have accomplished this year. They have worked hard and not given up and I cannot be more proud of them. I don't think I will ever find a group of girls as good as them. They are a coaches dream."

BG met her and he picked her up spinning her around and said," are you and your girls ready to celebrate with a good meal?"
"Yes we are as soon as we can make our way through the crowd."
"I told your driver and parents where to go, I have rented out a restaurant for y'all including any parents who want to go too. Well anyone who want to go celebrate with them."
JJ made her way through the crowd enjoying the moment and talking with all their supporters. It was great to be able to accomplish this with these girls. She will always remember them.