CHAPTER 43
MAPLE
I swish my iced coffee around, letting the contents mix as I lean forward and whisper to Everly, “I think he made love to me last night.”
The green smoothie she chose at the Lemur Café pauses halfway up to her mouth before she sets it back on the table. Blinking, she asks, “Excuse me?”
I pull my chair closer, so glad that my friend could meet me at work for a little break today because I’ve been dying to talk to her.
“Graydon. I think he made love to me last night. Not just had sex, but actually made love.”
“Okay, walk me through this, because…Graydon St. John made love? He didn’t fuck you senseless? He was…sensual?”
I slowly nod. “Yup.”
I tell her about how I went to visit Graydon’s mom yesterday, how it went, how we were able to connect, and even though it wasn’t very long, it was something special. I explain how he was after, his gratefulness, the words he said, the way he would stare into my eyes while thrusting…
And just reliving it now, I can feel goose bumps tickle my skin as I remember the feeling of him connected to me in all ways, including his beautiful soul.
Last night was different from any other time I’ve been with him.
There was a palpable emotion connected to it, a promise that felt like forever, and I’m still reeling from it… in a good way.
“Wow,” Everly says as she sits back in her chair. “Did he say he loves you?”
I shake my head. “But it felt like he wanted to say it.”
“Really? That’s…wow, how do you feel about that?”
A smile spreads across my lips. “I think I would say the same thing.”
“Oh my God, seriously?”
I nod. “Yeah, I think so. I mean, I think about him all the time, and it isn’t just lust. I care about him, and I want him to succeed.
I worry about him and the demons he battles.
I crave him when he’s not around. I want to be in his arms all the time, and when I can’t be, I want to be texting him, calling him on the phone, just…
being connected to him in some way. And not to bring Hardy into this, but I didn’t feel that way with him.
Sure, I cared about him, but this is so different.
It’s like Graydon has buried himself into the marrow of my bones, and I can’t rid myself of him, and I don’t want to. ”
“Yeah, Maple, that’s love.” She sips her green smoothie. “That is one hundred percent love.”
“That’s what I thought.” I cross one leg over the other. “What am I supposed to do with that new information?”
“What do you mean?” She chuckles.
“I mean, do I tell him I love him? Do I wait for him to say it? Do I throw a surprise party for two, an invitation to express our feelings to each other?”
“For the love of God, please do not throw a party.”
I laugh. “Then what do I do?”
“I don’t know. How do you think he would take it if you said it first?”
I shrug. “I want to say well, but if he felt it last night, why didn’t he say it? Do you think he’s not ready?”
“Could be a possibility. He could also think that you’re not ready. He could be holding back because of you. I mean, would it hurt to wait? You two did move pretty fast. It might be good to just live in these feelings for a moment, don’t you think?”
“Probably,” I answer. “And I know it’s been a short amount of time, but it also feels like it’s been forever, like we’ve been building up to this moment this entire time.”
“Well, you’ve been flirting since the minute you met each other.”
I snort. “I wouldn’t consider our first or second or even third interaction flirting. There was no flirting involved at all. We kind of didn’t like each other.”
“Yeah, but all the hate banter, that’s flirting. You might not think so, but it is. And if anything, it built the tension between the two of you so when you finally gave in, it was explosive.”
“You can say that again. Very explosive.”
“See. You two have been bound to get together from the moment he insulted your flamingos. You just had to travel down the path to get there first.”
“So what do I do now?”
“Enjoy every second of it.” She smiles. “Don’t put pressure on the relationship, and allow things to happen naturally. The ‘I love you’s will come. Until then, just soak up every second.”
“That I can do.” I smirk, and Everly matches my grin.
Shaking her head, she says, “God, you’re so freaking in love.”
“Hey, beautiful,” Graydon says as he stands from his chair and pulls me into a hug.
I sigh into him and wrap my arms around his waist as he kisses the top of my head.
“How was your day?”
“Great,” I answer and look up at him. “How about you?”
“Better now.” He tips his finger under my chin and leans down to press the softest of kisses to my lips. “Sorry you had to come all the way over here.”
“It’s fine. I was finally able to drive my car again, which was very exciting.”
“Yeah, I liked it better when I was driving you around.”
“I’m sure you did.” I flash him my arm and smile. “And look, I got my brace off. I dropped by the training room before heading up here, and they said I was good to go. It’s like I’m a brand-new person. Car, no brace, have the most handsome boyfriend ever…Look at me go.”
He chuckles. “I like the last one the best.”
“I’m sure you do.”
“Well, aren’t you two cozy?” Gretchen says, walking into the conference room with a bag and a folder. “Sorry I’m running behind.” She checks her watch. “Well, technically right on time, but that doesn’t settle well with me.” She gestures to the chairs. “Please, take a seat.”
When Graydon texted me that Gretchen wanted to meet with us tonight, a slight panic passed through me because it’s rare that something good comes from Gretchen getting involved. Then again, she did bring me close to Graydon, so maybe that statement isn’t entirely true.
Graydon takes a seat in a chair, and I take the one next to him despite him attempting to pull me onto his lap.
I don’t mind that when we’re anywhere else, but in a professional setting, I think it’s better if we have our own seats. From the disgruntled look on his face, I can tell he doesn’t agree with my decision.
He’ll live.
And I’ll for sure hear about it later. Who knows, maybe he’ll punish me…
“Okay, this is for you.” Gretchen hands me a Foghorns bag. “It should have everything you might want when it comes to dressing for the games, including cold gear.”
I open the bag, and I’m surprised to see a plethora of jersey options, T-shirts, winter hats, baseball caps, and two jackets, all in my size. Man, she’s right. That’s everything I might need.
“The only requirement is that you wear at least one branded item. If you prefer to layer up on the branded clothes, that’s up to you.” She opens her folder and shuffles through some papers.
“Are they all her size?” Graydon asks.
“Yes, they should be. But if something doesn’t fit, just let me know, and I will get it traded in for you.”
“Are these for the games?” I ask, feeling like I’m missing something.
Gretchen lifts her gaze just enough to peek at me through her lashes. “Yes, I was told that you are to be outfitted for the games. If you want to wear them other times, that’s fine too, but for the games specifically, this is what we prefer you to wear.”
“I made the request,” Graydon says.
“Oh, well…thank you. This was very kind of you. I could have gotten my own jersey, though.”
Graydon scoffs. “No fucking way.”
Yeah, should have known he was going to say that.
“Now, with the first game coming up next Sunday, I’ve been able to secure you field passes as well as seats on the wall, right at the fifty-yard line. I have two, so choose your plus-one wisely.”
“On the wall?” I ask.
“Front row,” Graydon helps.
“Oh, is that…is that necessary?”
Gretchen gives me an exhausted look. “It is if we want to capture the perfect after-game kiss between the two of you. Graydon, win or lose, we ask that you go up to her at the wall. Maple, you lean over and kiss. Social media will have a frenzy over it.”
“So you’re not still pushing for a breakup story.”
“That’s covered. But you were caught making out down by the docks.” So…we’re okay to be in a relationship now in Gretchen’s mind? Gretchen takes out a piece of paper and shoots it over to me.
“Here are the instructions for parking, who to talk to and how to get into the facility. There will be staff with badges for you, waiting for you in the parking lot—”
“I’ll get a car service to drop her off.”
“I can drive.”
Graydon takes my hand in his. “I know you can drive, beautiful. But game days get crazy, and if someone spots you, I would rather have the knowledge that you’re being taken care of by a professional driving service, so I don’t worry about you trying to park your car. Okay?”
I can see the actual worry in his eyes, so I don’t argue with him.
“That works, then.”
“Thank you,” he says softly and kisses the back of my hand.
“I can set up the car service,” Gretchen says, surprising me with her generosity.
“As for after the game, you will be led by staff to the hall outside the locker room, where I’m sure you’re going to want to wait for Graydon.
I need you to be aware that you might run into press.
Whatever you do, do not comment on your relationship.
Even with fans you might be sitting next to during the game.
If they want to take pictures with you, by all means, take pictures, but do not remark on anything personal.
We don’t want people taking a video and mishandling what you said.
” She presses her fingers to her temple as she sifts through papers.
“The last thing I need to handle is another PR nightmare.”
Man, does she look stressed. She’s usually very cut-and-dried, but today seems different.