The Big Play Journal (Big Play #5)

by Jordan Ford

  That’s the power of real love…it’s unconditional.

  Who are the people in your life that you’ll love no matter what?

  Finn & Layla…One Year Later

  FINN

  The circular saw whines as it slices through the timber. As usual, my face puckers as a fine spray of sawdust covers my arms and chin.

  Lifting the saw, I switch off the machine and wait for the blade to stop spinning before pulling off my safety goggles and collecting the pieces of wood. My father drilled into me from the outset to respect the machinery. It’s a lesson I’ll never take for granted. Hopefully I’ll keep all my fingers and limbs, because right now I’m loving this apprenticeship more than I thought I would.

  I always knew I wanted a job that was physical, and I figured following in my father’s footsteps was an easy way to go. I’ve questioned my decision every now and again. My friends are all off at college, or will be going off to college…

  My mind jumps to Layla. My girlfriend is never far from my thoughts. We’ve had the best year together. With Roxanne Carmichael out of the picture, Layla has flourished. She’s beautiful, happy, and I love her more every damn day.

  She hasn’t made her final decision about college yet and I’m forcing myself to stay tight-lipped on the whole thing. It’s not fair to influence her. Just because I desperately want her to stay, doesn’t mean she should. That girl deserves to follow her dreams and I won’t hold her back.

  But, damn…I’m gonna miss her.

  I place the wood at Dad’s feet and pull the pencil from behind my ear.

  “Walk me through it again, Pop.”

  I stand tall and cross my arms while Dad explains the framing and how he wants it to go. We’re doing renovations on a house—Dad’s speciality—and sometimes blending the old with the new gets tricky. Dad’s been doing this long enough to figure his way out of any building dilemma though.

  My lips pull into a grin as his hands paint a picture. As usual, he goes into way too much detail.

  I bob my head and try to interrupt, “Okay, yeah, I get—”

  But he just keeps on going. I wince, wishing I’d never asked. I pretty much knew what he wanted, but I didn’t want to make a mistake.

  Note to self: never ask Dad for clarification.

  I should have known better.

  Scratching the back of my head, I shove the pencil behind my ear again and glance over my shoulder…

  Just in time to see the prettiest part of my day.

  My grin grows a mile wide as I spin around and spread my arms.

  Layla giggles, dumping her book bag by the northern framework and squeezing through the gap. With a hop and a skip, she’s in my arms and Dad’s voice disappears altogether.

  Until he starts clearing his throat real loud.

  I let go of my girl with a soft sigh and spin back to face my father. His eyes narrow at me but then travel to Layla and his face transforms with affection.

  “How’s the pretty girl?”

  “I’m good thanks.” She steps away from me and gives Dad a peck on the cheek.

  “School okay?”

  She shrugs and tucks a dark lock of hair behind her ear. “School was school. It’s getting busy with final exams looming.”

  “I know you’re going to do just great.”

  “Thanks.” Her cheeks tinge pink as she slides her hands into the back pockets of her jeans and looks at me. “So, Mr. Jones, you don’t mind if I steal your boy away, right?”

  Dad rolls his eyes while I wiggle my eyebrows at Layla.

  “How can I refuse two lovebirds like you?” He chuckles then points at me. “I’ll let you go because you started early this morning. But make sure she gets her homework done, and I’ll see you two for dinner.”

  “Not tonight, Pop. I’m eating at Layla’s place.”

  “Oh.” Dad’s eyebrows rise, his surprise kind of endearing.

  Since Layla became my girlfriend, she’s kind of become a permanent feature at my house. We eat dinner there a lot and Mom always cooks extra, just in case Layla pops over last minute. She comes around most nights and I’ll help her with her homework or we’ll just hang out together.

  It’ll be so weird not having her around.

  My gut clenches, but I hide it with a smooth smile as Layla threads her fingers through mine.

  “I kind of have something important to share with my mom, so Finn’s gonna be my wingman.”

  “Very nice.” Dad’s head bobs, his brown eyes hitting mine…looking for answers.

  I give him a tight smile. Between him and Mom, they’ll drag it out of me the second I get home.

  With a thick swallow, I quickly pack away my tools then grab my bag. Taking Layla’s for her, I swing it over my shoulder and follow her out.

  I don’t want to speak as we drive to her family home, because I don’t trust my voice not to break, or to, hell, start begging that she stay.

  Tonight, Layla is telling us all which college she’s chosen to attend after we get back from New Zealand. I kind of hoped she’d tell me first, so I could prepare myself before we laid it on her mother, but Layla wants it to be a surprise for both of us.

  I don’t know why. It’s going to be impossible to celebrate the fact my girl’s moving away.

  She’s applied to colleges all over the west coast. I have my fingers crossed for Boise State. At least she’ll have Colt and Tori to watch out for her, plus she can come home on weekends if she wants. Or I could drive up.

  Oh hell, it better not be further than Boise State.

  Even that feels like too far.

  LAYLA

  Finn’s nervous. I can see his long fingers twitching on his dirty pant legs as we drive to Mom’s place. I’ll offer him a shower as soon as we arrive. He always has a spare change of clothes in his bag, so he can be fresh and clean for dinner.

  I’m nervous too.

  I’ve been going back and forth between the two colleges I’ve been accepted into, and they’re both great options.

  But as I lay awake last night, staring up at the ceiling and thinking it through, imagining the different scenarios of what my life will look like, I kept coming back to the same thing.

  I probably should tell Finn what my decision is, but I’m not quite ready.

  Glancing at my boyfriend, I give him a twitchy smile. He reciprocates before reaching for my knee.

  “You know I’ll be cool with whatever you decide. You're my girl no matter where you are.”

  “I know,” I whisper, loving him with every fiber of my being. I’m the luckiest girl in the world to have him. I seriously do not deserve such an amazing guy.

  Pulling the car up to the house, I park in my usual spot and notice Martin’s car isn’t there. I don’t know whether to feel disappointed or relieved. Since all that shit went down last year, things in our house have changed for the better. My step-dad is growing on me, and I don’t mind having him around. In fact, it’d be quite handy to have him nearby when I spill the news to Mom tonight.

  Hitching my bag onto my shoulder, I lead Finn into the house.

  “Why don’t you go and shower. I’ll find Mom.”

  “Okay.” Finn’s lips brush across mine and tingles scatter through my body.

  I love how tall he is, how broad his shoulders are. The soft touch of his lips on my skin can send me over the edge without even trying. I’m in love with Finn Jones, and I can’t imagine ever not feeling this way.

  “Hey, sweetie.” Mom distracts me while Finn disappears up the stairs. She follows my line of sight and waves to Finn as he reaches the top landing.

  “Hey, Mrs. Mahoney.”

  Mom’s technically Mrs. Wiseman now, but we despise that name thanks to my asshole step-brother, Derek. So, Finn always uses my Dad’s last name. It never bothers Mom, and I love them both for just going with it.

  “Hi. Nice to see you. Take as long as you like.” She winks at him before flashing me a smile.

  She is seri
ously elated that Finn and I have lasted the distance. I’m sure she thought I’d screw it up early on, but she doesn’t know Finn. That boy loves me in spite of myself.

  Mom gives my shoulders a gentle squeeze. “It’s nice to have you guys here for a change.”

  I sidestep her carefully worded dig with a smile. “So, what’s for dinner?”

  “Your dad’s nachos.”

  I can’t fight my grin. Mom is pulling out all the stops for me on this one. She must be more nervous than I thought.

  Her lips wobble for a second as she pulls me into a tight hug. “He needs to somehow be here for your big announcement. I figure his favorite food is one way of doing that.”

  I let out a watery laugh as I squeeze Mom back. “He’s always with us, Mom.” She sniffs and I rub her back, pulling out of her vise-like hold. “Where’s Martin?”

  Slashing a tear off her cheek, she straightens her shoulders and gives me a brave smile. “He’s spending a little time with Derek.”

  “Ewww.” I stick out my tongue.

  “I know.” She raises her hands and heads for the kitchen. “But Martin should be back in time for dinner.”

  “I still don’t know why he hasn’t cut him off.”

  “Layla, Derek’s his son.”

  “So?”

  “Come on, that’s a little harsh. I could never cut you or Mack off, no matter how bad you were.”

  I pull another face and she shakes her head at me.

  “Look, I know you never want anything to do with him again, and you should never have to. But at the end of the day, he’ll always be Martin’s flesh and blood. To be honest, I think it shows a great strength of character that he’s not willing to give up on him.”

  My shoulders slump as I take a seat at the breakfast counter. “I suppose you’re right.”

  “Martin is so set on believing that there’s hope for everyone, no matter how horrible they are.”

  “I guess Derek is putting that theory to the test.”

  Mom gives me a look that tells me I‘m right.

  I snicker and shake my head. “At least Martin gets to come back to a happy home after each visit.”

  “Very true. And from what he’s told me, Derek is getting there. He’s still a self-centered little A-hole, but at least he hasn't hurt anybody or done anything illegal recently.”

  “Is he still set on going to Boise State this year?” I cringe.

  “Actually, no. Now that he’s finished his community service, he’s decided to check out Portland State University.”

  My eyebrows dip together. “Roxy’s in Portland.”

  Mom raises her eyebrows and tips her head to the side. “Yeah, I, uh, heard that.”

  “Do you think they’re still…?”

  Mom shrugs, flicking her palms up. “Not really our problem.”

  “Yeah, I guess so.” I run my finger under my lower lip and try not to think about it. If anything, I should be ridiculously relieved. Derek isn’t going to Boise State and is moving out of Brownridge. It’s a double-win.

  “Oh, smells good in here.” Finn’s deep voice makes me spin. Mom lets out a girly laugh, obviously enamored with my smooth boyfriend.

  I can’t help a little pride as he slides his hand beneath my hair and starts caressing the back of my neck. I love the way he does that, always claims me so publicly. His sweet, tender touch constantly reminds me that I’m loved.

  Sucking in a breath, I decide to get it over with before dinner’s even served. I can’t hold it in anymore.

  Excitement skitters through me as I lay my hands on the counter. “So, Mom, I’ve made a decision.”

  They both tense.

  My boyfriend goes still beside me while Mom stops stirring the nacho mix and turns to face me.

  Her gaze is so hopeful and expectant.

  I glance up at Finn.

  His gaze is etched with pain, yet he’s putting on this brave smile.

  I grin then look back to Mom. “So, I got accepted into two really fantastic colleges, and I’ve been going back and forth, trying to decide if I should go to Boise State or the University of Washington.” I bite my lip, nerves jumping through me. “But the thing is, I’ve found another school that can give me everything I want.”

  Mom’s eyebrows pucker.

  I swallow and surge forward. “Brownridge Community College has fantastic graphics and design courses. Everything I want to learn is available there…with the added bonus of being only a forty minute car ride from home. I can stay here, in Nelson, and still get the education I want.”

  Finn squeezes the back of my neck, letting out this shaky kind of sigh.

  Mom looks to him then back at me.

  “But…we can afford to send you to a…” She swallows. “I mean, are you sure about community college?”

  “I don’t need some prestigious name on my degree. I just want to learn enough graphic and design skills to start up my own business. I can take business classes there too. I spent nearly an hour talking to one of the course directors and they can seriously set me up.”

  Turning to Finn, I look up at him with a soft smile.

  “I know you don’t want to influence my decision, but you do just by being who you are. You’ve never asked me to stay, but I want to. I love you, and I want to enjoy college knowing I can come home at the end of the day and you’ll be just around the corner.”

  I turn back to Mom who’s forcing one of those smiles that tells me this will take some time.

  “I’m sorry if this decision makes you feel let down. But it’s one of those times in my life where I have to follow my head and my heart. This decision feels right for me.”

  Finn’s lips press against the top of my head.

  “I love you,” he murmurs, soft enough that Mom can’t hear.

  I lean against his side, resting my arm around his butt and pulling him against me.

  Closing my eyes, I forget Mom and just relish the moment. I don’t have to leave Finn. Some might say it’s narrow-minded to base a decision like this on a high school sweetheart, but he’s so much more than that. Finn’s my soulmate, my other half, and leaving him doesn’t make sense to me.

  “Well, I guess…” Mom lets out a breathy laugh. “It’ll be nice having you around a bit longer. And as long as you’re happy.”

  I open my eyes and smile at her. “I am, Mom.”

  Her face softens with a smile, her eyes glassing with tears. She gets it. As the front door clicks open and Martin announces himself, Mom’s smile grows even wider.

  And that’s why she gets it.

  Because she knows what it’s like to be in love.

  Disappearing from the kitchen, Mom leaves me alone with Finn.

  He gazes down at me, his brown eyes rich with affection.

  I giggle. “Surprise.”

  He laughs and shakes his head, cupping my face and leaning down to gift me a perfect kiss.

  Curling my fingers into his shirt, I relish his tongue against mine and the promise of what the rest of this year holds.

  When we get back from New Zealand, we don’t have to say goodbye to each other. My heart skips and jumps in my chest, doing a quiet happy dance while I draw out the kiss.

  SHOOT THE GAP

  Friends to lovers…

  I’ve always been a fan of the whole friends to lovers idea. There’s something very fun about watching two characters struggle with the transition, and watching them give into their emotions. Sammy is a tomboy, and Tyler thinks he wants something else. I love the battle and seeing him fold. The way he sees things, changes throughout the book and it was so much fun to have him suddenly notice that his best friend is also a hot chick.

  Have you ever crushed on one your friends?

  Sammy awesomeness

  If Finn is my book boyfriend, Sammy is my book girlfriend. She is awesome. I love the way she skates, and thinks. The way she deals with life. The way she talks. Everything about her is cool. When I was a teenager, I tota
lly wanted to be someone just like her, but I didn’t have the courage…and I am completely uncoordinated, so skating was a no-go!

  It was really fun to create a character out of the dream person I wanted to be. I guess it’s a chance to live vicariously through my characters!

  Do you ever wish you were more like someone else?

  Treehouse confessions…

  One of my favorite things about Shoot the Gap is the banter between Sammy and Tyler. I love the way they talk to each other, and I LOVE the way he finally confesses how he feels about her. This scene is slightly longer than the others but when I was trying to cut it back, there were just too many good bits I didn’t want to leave out.

  So here you go, my favorite scene from Shoot The Gap…when Tyler finally confesses his big feels for Sammy while they’re sitting in his old treehouse.

  EXCERPT FROM SHOOT THE GAP

  “Why’d you leave prom?”

  Tyler tips his head back, resting it against the wood. “Well, I thought prom was going to be the best night of the year. I was taking the head cheerleader, the coolest girl in school. My friends would be there, admiring what a legend I was, and I’d be king of the school…for just one night.” He lifts his index finger to the sky, then purses his lips and lets out a heavy sigh. “Thing is, it didn’t feel like I was hoping it would.”

  Running his hand up my arm, he grips my elbow and gently tugs me onto my knees. Rising to his own knees, he settles in front of me and traces his finger down the side of my face. It kind of tickles, but I can’t move right now. I can barely breathe.

  “I know I talk a big game and try to act cool all the time, but the truth is…I’m happiest when I’m hanging out with you, Sams. I don’t need some smokin’-hot cheerleader when I could be hanging out with my best friend…the prettiest girl I know.”

  I scoff and look away from him. “That’s not true, but okay.”