Chapter 22 #2
“What is it?” Malik grabbed the present from me, his eyes twinkling.
“What have you done, Grey? You’re supposed to save your money for training.
” He ripped the bow and paper off and stared at the obvious jewelry box.
“Okay, um…” As his brows ticked, he opened the box and his eyes grew wide. “Grey, what is this?”
Stepping closer to him, I snatched his gold ring from the box, fell onto one knee and said, “Malik, you’re the only love I’ve ever had. The only one I will ever have. Will you marry me?” My eyes pricked and my vision blurred. Fucking hell, not now, emotions. “It, it doesn’t have to be right away.”
He stared at me for a beat, then a broad smile swept across his face. “Hell yes, I’ll marry you. Every damn day and every time, I’d marry you if it meant I could spend my life with you, and I’d have you all to myself.” Grabbing my wrist, he pulled me up. “Sound familiar?” He smirked.
“Yeah, it’s like what I told you when you asked me to sell my car.” As emotion burst in my heart, I slipped the ring on his finger and then hooked my arms around him, lifting him off the floor and spinning him around.
Everyone clapped, and Landon blew a loud whistle.
Marc popped the cork off the champagne and poured glasses. “What a day. My son is marrying his best friend, and I couldn’t be prouder or happier.”
As I set Malik down, his mother and brother joined us in a group hug with Janice saying, “I love you both so much.”
“And I get a new brother. Maybe even a better one.” With a chuckle, Landon patted me on the back.
“Yeah, whatever, little bro.” Malik rolled his eyes. “Wait, I have to put a ring on your finger, babe.” He fished the other ring from the box and held it out. “Give me your hand.”
As I extended my left hand to him, I swiped the wetness from my eyes with the other. I could barely believe what was happening, but seeing the ring on his finger made it real.
Sliding the ring on my finger, he said, “Now no one can ever attempt to steal you from me again.” As his stunning gaze locked on mine, he pressed a warm kiss on my lips and then gave me a fierce hug.
“Okay, champagne all around.” Marc handed flutes to each of us. “You too, Landon. This is a special occasion.” He gave one to Malik’s brother.
“About time.” Landon sipped the champagne.
“To fresh beginnings and a life full of happiness.” Janice held up her glass, and we all tapped our flutes before drinking.
I might have lost a family and a fancy car, but I’d gained so much more.
We passed out presents, commenting on each one.
Malik had given me new gym clothes and had felt bad about it after what I’d done, but I assured him it was what I needed.
I was dying to tell someone about our engagement, and Julie deserved a call from me, anyway.
“Hey, I’m going to call Julie and wish her a Merry Christmas. ” I rose from my spot on the sofa.
“You are?” Malik studied me. “Can we call her together?” His eyes narrowed. “Because I know you’re going to tell her about this.” He held up his left hand and wagged his fingers at me.
“You caught me.” With a grin, I grabbed his arm and pulled him from the couch. “Let’s use your room.”
“Sure.” He patted his mom on the shoulder. “Be right back.”
“Of course. When you get back, we’ll have more hot cider drinks and watch Christmas Vacation.” Mom threw us a warm grin. “It’s tradition, you know.”
“Yeah, I know.” Holding my hand, he led me into his bedroom and dropped onto the end of the bed. “She’ll be happy for us, right?”
I sat beside him, slipping my phone from the pocket of my team sweats. “I think so.” It hadn’t dawned on me she wouldn’t be. Tapping my screen, I called her and set the phone on speaker. It might be a little late there, but the kids should be in bed by now.
“Merry Christmas, Greyson. I was wondering if I’d hear from you,” she said in a voice full of cheer.
“Of course I’d call. Merry Christmas to you. I’m sitting here in Santa Fe with Malik, and you’re on speaker.” I rested my left hand on Malik’s thigh, the gold band shimmering in the light of his nightstands.
“Well, Merry Christmas to you and your family, Malik,” she said.
“Thank you, Julie. Merry Christmas to you.” Malik smiled into the phone.
“How are things in New York?” I chewed my thumbnail. What would she think of the news I’d share?
“Things are great here. We had snow, and the kids built a snowman in the courtyard,” Julie said.
“That sounds like fun.” My mind replayed a memory of her helping me build my first snowman. We’d been traveling and staying at a mansion in Aspen. “I have news.” I didn’t want to bring up the rift with my father, but there’d be no way around it. But first, I’d start with the good news.
“Oh? What is it? Tell me you got an NFL contract,” she giggled.
“No, I won’t know that until after the draft, which happens in April.” I leaned against Malik’s side. She knew nothing about how football worked. “I do have an agent though, and I’m heading to the combine with Malik, where NFL teams will evaluate us.”
“That’s wonderful news,” she said. “I hope to see you playing football on the television someday.” Her breath caught. “Grey, whatever happened with Ella Astor? Did you contact her?”
“Uh…” I peeked at Malik, who dipped his head. “Ella and I didn’t work out. But on that topic, I have much better news.” I squeezed Malik’s thigh as my pulse hastened.
“What’s that?” she asked.
“Julie, I’m engaged to Malik. I asked him to marry me today, and he accepted.” My eyes widened. Holy shit, I’d just put it out there. No mention of my sexuality. But she knew Malik was bisexual.
She was silent for a beat and then said, “That’s wonderful news, Greyson. You both have been so close all these years. I can’t say I’m surprised.”
“Thank you, Julie.” Malik rested his cheek against my shoulder. “We fell in love after he moved in with me, and when he proposed today, he made it the best Christmas I ever had.” He kissed my cheek.
“That’s so sweet, Malik. I think marrying your best friend will make for a lifetime of happiness.” She giggled softly and then inhaled quickly. “Greyson, I assume your parents are on board with this? I mean, they were matching you up with—”
“No, they’re not on board.” I sighed. I’d give her the abbreviated version. “When they found out, which was during the Thanksgiving weekend, my father cut me off financially, and I haven’t heard from him since.”
“Oh no. I’m so sorry.” She huffed. “Again, I’m not surprised. He had very specific plans for you. How are you holding up? Did you find a job?”
“No, I, uh, I sold my car to one of Malik’s friends. His friend is an NFL quarterback, so it was a quick sale.” As my gaze met Malik’s, he draped an arm around my shoulders. Warmth spread through my chest as I leaned against him. He always knew when and how I needed his support.
“He’ll be okay. Once we get our NFL contracts, we won’t need their money.” Malik pulled me to his side. “We have a plan.”
“I’m happy, Julie. I feel free for the first time in my life.” After chewing my lower lip, I said, “Do you, uh, ever see or speak with my parents anymore?”
“Your mother and I talk every few months.” She tsked. “She usually inquires about you to see if there are things I know she doesn’t.”
With a curt nod, I said, “I could see that.” Would Mom call Julie about this current situation? “Julie, if you talk with Mom, tell her I’m happy and doing well. Tell her…” My breath snagged as my heart pinched. I would speak to my parents again someday, wouldn’t I?
Malik tightened his hold on my shoulders and into the phone, said, “Tell her he still loves his parents and hopes that at some point, they can mend their relationship.”
I blinked at him. He was spot-on. “Yes, Julie, please tell her that.”
“I will, but Greyson? I think you should tell her yourself,” she said.
Fingering my ring, I said, “Yeah, maybe I will. But not today.” This day should focus on Malik and me and be drama free.
“Okay then.” She breathed in deeply. “I need to get going. It’s getting late here, and the children will be up early.” She chuckled.
“Yeah, it was nice talking with you, and I wish you a Happy New Year.” I shifted closer to Malik’s warmth. The new year promised so much potential for us.
“Happy New Year to you both and congratulations. Goodnight,” she said.
“Goodnight, Julie,” we said in unison, and I ended the call. I was uncertain how to feel now. Talking about my parents had dampened my mood.
“Let’s go have some hot cider and watch Christmas Vacation.” He pressed a hard kiss on my mouth. “Your almost mother-in-law is waiting.”
A smile crept across my lips. I’d forgotten. As my mood lifted, I said, “She is, and we shouldn’t keep her waiting for another second.”
FOUR MONTHS LATER
We’d killed it at the combine and had caught the interest of multiple teams, but most notably, Malik had spoken with the New York Jets while I’d had a few meetings with the New York Giants. If we could pull this off, we’d be in New York together, in the city I grew up in and loved.
I still hadn’t spoken with my parents, but if Dad had kept his eye on football news, he should know of my success.
The buzz had been everywhere about the two best-friend running backs from ASU.
We’d kept our engagement from the press but had spoken about it with our agent and the teams, so they’d be prepared to handle it if they wanted to sign us.
We wanted to be upfront about everything.
Sitting on the sofa beside Malik with Tex resting at the other end, we were glued to the television, watching the draft and drinking beer. Malik would go first, and if I were lucky, a team would pick me today as well.
“The suspense is killing me, guys.” Tex grabbed a pillow and hugged it to his chest. “What’ll you do if you don’t both get picked by New York teams?”
“We’ll figure it out, but Dennis said our chances are good.” Malik sipped his beer.