Chapter 12
TWELVE
Felix
My phone pings with a notification. I will admit, having the phone is nice. It’s also nice that I don’t have to delete my history or block calls. Not that I really have anyone to call. I grab it, seeing Grey’s friends standing at the door.
Grey limps into the room with his cane, sweats slung low on his hips, and memories from last night flood me.
We slept on opposite sides of the bed, not crossing an imaginary barrier.
He didn’t touch me, didn’t push me. It was different and warm and some other emotions I shouldn’t be feeling right now. The thing is, I felt safe.
I don’t think I would have been able to sleep alone in my bed. I kept waiting for Steven to jump from the shadows. Grey doesn’t know how he found me, but I do. Or at least, I suspect. I think he followed me. My bag was missing from the bushes, so maybe he knew I was planning to leave.
The thing is, if he knew, why wait nearly a month?
“I’m going to let them in.” I watch him limp back out to the hall.
I hope his knee isn’t as sore as last night.
He has to relax, though I know he gets restless, and he doesn’t like to sit still.
He has another PT appointment next week.
He seems to be taking all of this way more seriously now, at least.
I get up and go to the bathroom and brush my teeth, and when I’m back out in the hallway, I hear voices erupting from the kitchen, chaos barreling into the quiet of the house.
I hear arguing and catch an envelope in Oli’s hand when I walk into the kitchen.
Oli smiles, but it’s not a kind one. “Want to tell me why you and my man have been hanging out without me?!”
Greyson glares at Andre. “Don’t blame me! He tortured the information out of me?”
“If by tortured you mean withheld orgasm until you told me what you and Grey were doing behind my back, then yes.”
“We’re having an affair,” Andre deadpans.
Oli’s eyes blaze in Greyson’s direction. “I know he’s being a smartass, but I still want to punch you just from the image that puts in my head!”
“He said it!” Grey rolls his eyes. “So glad you both came over.” Grey goes over to his coffee machine. “Felix, do you want some coffee?” He looks back at his friends. “None for you two.”
I walk over to him, gently placing my hand on his forearm. “Sit. I’ll make it. I want you to stay off your leg today, okay?” It looks like he wants to argue, but thankfully he gives in.
Yesterday flashes back to me. The broken dish. If he hadn’t told me what he had while we fished, I’d be more frightened. Maybe I should be. I feel for him, though, and his sister. Their mother too. None of them deserved it.
None of us ever do.
“What are you two idiots doing here?” He rubs the sleep out of his eyes, and I wait for his coffee, my greedy eyes drinking him in.
Grey is huge. He’s only a few inches taller than me, but his mass is impressive.
He rarely wears a shirt inside, and my eyes thank him for his service.
His golden-tanned muscles flex as he reaches for his phone and my eyes go to his chest. I think I slept on it briefly last night.
His pecs are dusted with dark blond hair that travels down his stomach.
I feel something and look up to find Andre watching me, a smirk on his lips.
Coffee. Right. Time to make coffee. “We’ve come to formally invite you to our wedding.” Andre hands him the envelope.
“Invite him?” Oli shakes his head. “He’s going to be my best man. He has no choice.”
“Does Atlas know?”
“Uh no. And he won’t. I’ll let him believe what he wants until then. Of course he’s a groomsman. Hell, you two can be co–best men, I don’t give a fuck.”
“Who’s going to be Andre’s?” Grey opens up the cream envelope.
“Vanessa,” Andre says. “Colton is going to be a groomsman. Landon too.” Grey’s eyes flick up. “Goalie bros, man. I love him.”
“So does Grey’s sister.” Oli’s brows wiggle.
“What about Grey’s sister?” Alyssa walks in with Lianna, who runs to fling herself into Grey’s lap. “Lianna, be careful!” She stops short with her hands outstretched toward him.
“It’s okay, sweet pea.” Grey grabs her, lifting her onto his lap on the side with his good knee. “How’s my favorite girl?” He blows a raspberry on the side of her arm as she squeals then looks up at his sister. “She’s the only reason I haven’t changed my code on you.”
“Uh-huh, and she’s the only reason I haven’t gone to jail for homicide, so a win is a win, I guess.” She looks at Andre. “Now, what about me?”
“We were just saying how much you love Landon.”
“Hell yeah. Do you know how flexible goalies are?” She wiggles her brows as Grey gags.
“Well acquainted.” Oli smirks as Andre shoves his shoulder.
She laughs, then bites the corner of her lip. “I think he’s going to propose.” She covers her face. “I accidentally saw the ring. Don’t tell him I know, I just . . . I can’t believe this.” Grey stares at her then looks down at his coffee mug. “Grey?”
He shakes his head, trying on a smile I can definitely see is forced. “I’m really happy for you. I am. That’s amazing.”
“It’s a secret.” Liana holds a finger to his lips. He chuckles, pretending to bite it.
“What are you guys doing here? Last time you were here you were threatening me.”
“And last time I was here you were yelling at me.” She smiles. “This is a nice improvement.” She looks at me. “Is he behaving himself?” I bring my coffee mug to my lips and almost smile. Instead, I nod. She swings her attention back to Grey. “I have a favor to ask.”
“Yeah?”
“Can you please watch her for a bit? I have to go into school and Landon has practice this afternoon. Derrick’s mother is out of town, or she would. Just for a little, please?”
“Isn’t it spring break?”
“Yes, but I have to prepare some things for next week, and I’d like to do that without a seven-year-old saying Mommy every minute.” She smiles tightly.
Lianna looks up at her uncle. “She’s dramatic.”
“Tell me about it.” Alyssa punches his arm. “I would, but I’m in a lot of pain today.”
“We have to go to practice too or we’d do it,” Oli offers.
“I’ll watch her,” I volunteer with a smile. “Grey promised me he’d rest today. He’s sore from PT.” And fishing, and all the other things he did yesterday—including kissing me. That kiss. I’ve never been kissed like that before.
“Really? Are you sure?”
Grey winces as Lianna struggles off his lap, then she walks up to me. “I have to know one thing first.” Her brown ponytail swings with each little step. “Who is your favorite Disney Princess?”
I suck my teeth. “Oh man, this is hard.”
“There is one right answer.” Grey smirks into his mug.
“Uh Mulan, duh,” Andre says.
“She’s not a princess, she’s a warrior!” Lianna glares at him.
Oli slaps his bicep. “Duh.”
My eyes lift to Grey who’s pinching his fingers like he’s ringing something. “Belle. My favorite is Belle.”
Lianna scrutinizes me before her small face breaks into a smile. “Okay, Momma, he can watch me.”
“Phew, real touch and go there for a second.” Alyssa laughs giving her a hug. “Thank you so much. I won’t be long, I swear.” She walks over to her brother, whispering something in his ear, and his eyes lift to me before she kisses his cheek.
“Come on, we have to head out to practice.” Andre tugs Oli’s shirt. “I mean, unless there’s anything else anyone in this room wants to say before we leave.”
“What are you talking about?” Andre ignores Oli’s question, looking at Grey.
“Andre’s right. We’re having an affair.”
“Grey!” Andre grits his teeth. “That’s only funny when I do it!” Oli glares at Grey and I don’t know how he remains so calm. Oli frightens me, and the look he’s currently giving his friend could kill.
“Fine!” He looks down at the table before drinking his coffee. “I need to tell you something.” His eyes flick to mine before looking at Andre.
Oli sits back down. “What’s up?”
“I’m sorry for the way I’ve acted. Everything has been really hard. I haven’t handled it well. At all.” He taps his mug on the table. “I haven’t told you the truth about my injury.”
Oli reaches out, grabbing Grey’s hand giving it a squeeze. “What is it?”
“I won’t be coming back,” he says softly. “I’m retiring.”
Oli lets his hand go, shaking his head. “What?”
“My doctor told me that if I hurt myself again, I’m at risk for permanent injury.
There’s so much scar tissue, and the muscles aren’t as strong.
If I get hurt again, it could be bad. It’s too risky to play.
” Oli’s quiet for a moment. I can see it in his eyes as he stares at the table.
It’s like his mind is filing through solutions.
Grey’s eyes lift to mine and I can see his heart breaking. I hate it. This man has been through enough, and I wish I could make this better for him. Hockey is Grey’s life, and after what he told me yesterday, I know how much it hurts not being able to play again.
“I can’t believe this.” Oli shakes his head. “Does Atlas know?” Grey looks down. “Really? After all the shit you gave me?”
Lianna’s head picks up. “Uncle Oli said a bad.”
“I know he did.” Grey smirks.
“Sorry,” Oli says to her. He thinks for a moment, and I already know what he’s about to ask. “You sure? Maybe if you see a specialist and they—”
“Oli.” Andre’s large hand gently squeezes his shoulder before kissing the top of his head. I watch him deflate then nod.
“Hockey’s been my entire life. It was my safe place when I had none, my salvation when I needed it.
It’s made me who I am, and now it’s over.
I’ve really struggled with it. That unfortunately meant taking it out on you guys, and I can’t .
. .” Grey looks down, drumming his fingers on the table.
Blinking fast he looks back up at his friends.
“I need to stop feeling sorry for myself. I can’t change this. ” He sucks in a breath.