26. Layken
LAYKEN
He holds me in a vise-grip, lifting me off my feet, a relieved sigh coming from inside him as he breathes against me.
“Hey,” I console him in a partial whisper, rubbing his back and then bringing my hand up to the back of his head as he keeps me in his grip. “You okay?”
“Yeah, I just…fuck, I missed you.” Finally, he sets me down and then presses his lips to mine, his hands holding my face as he takes control, his tongue slipping into my mouth and colliding with mine. For just a moment I allow myself to get lost in him forgetting that his family is in the same room.
His woodsy scent fills my senses with a familiarity I didn’t expect. Like I’m in my own home, where I am free to be me. Griffin is my family. My home. He’s all I’ve ever wanted. All I’ll ever need.
His protective hold gives me the reassurance I need that no matter where I go, he is with me. Helping me. Encouraging me. Keeping me safe. I am his and he is mine. He’s my partner for life.
His mouth against mine makes me feel wanted. Cherished. Desired and most of all, loved. This man loves me. I have no doubt. Which makes my decision to not look at Miami any further feel that much better.
When he pulls away, he slowly opens his eyes and stares at me. A coy smile spreads across his face. It’s not his regular happy-go-lucky good-humored smile, like when he’s goofing off with his teammates, but I’ll take it understanding the day he’s clearly had. Hearing his voicemail on my phone when I got off the plane damn near ripped my heart out. I could hear his fear and uncertainty dripping from his voice. I knew he needed me and did all I could to get the hospital as fast as possible.
“I missed you too, Griffin,” I whisper. “And I’m so sorry I wasn’t here for you when you needed me.”
He shakes his head. “No, I’m sorry, Lake. I know I should’ve called you earlier. I could’ve at least texted. I just…” He shakes his head again, this time pushing a hand through his hair. “I was kind of running on auto. I wasn’t thinking.”
“It’s okay. Corri called me. She knew you were radio silent. Apparently the guys had tried to text you a good bit but you weren’t answering and…” I shrug cautiously. “They were concerned.”
“So, you flew six hours just to check on me?”
“I’d do anything for you, Griffin.”
“How was the interview?” He eyes me. “I’m sorry I totally forgot to ask.”
“Oh.” I wave off his question. “I told them to fuck it.”
His eyes bulge, a baffled expression on his face. “You what?”
“Okay, so I didn’t say it in those words,” I explain to everyone, noticing Griffin’s parents listening to our conversation. “But I did tell them thanks but no thanks.”
Griffin’s shoulders fall slowly. “You did?”
“Yeah.” I nod.
“But why? Layken it was a dream job for you. I would follow you anywhere. If you want to call them back I’ll go with you. We can work something out. I want you to be happy.”
I place my hand tenderly on his cheek. “Then believe me when I say there is no place I would rather be than right here in California. With you and our friends.” I look around the hospital room at Gage and then Griffin’s parents. “And our family.”
I gesture to Gage. “Besides, if I move to Miami, when would I get to hang out with this handsome guy here and make social media videos with him?” I gesture to his mom. “And when would I get to ask your mom to go book shopping with me or have her teach me how to make the world’s best lasagna?” I step over to his dad. “And when would I get to hang with this loving guy to hear every sappy Griffin story from your childhood so I can fall in love with you all over again?”
Griffin’s dad laughs and wraps his arm around me, hugging me into his side. “Oh, I’m game for those chats any time you want, Layken.”
I turn back to Griffin, wrapping my arms around his torso as he hugs me against his chest. “And if we move to Miami, I’d never get to experience the cock verse wiener game with the guys and something tells me, it’s an experience I would never forget.”
“Oh, you have no idea,” Griffin chuckles, kissing the top of my head.
Just then Griffin’s phone dings in his pocket and he pulls it out to check who it’s from. Smiling at his phone he turns to show Gage a video of his teammates all wishing him well and telling him they can’t wait to see him at one of their home games as soon as he’s feeling up to it.
Gage is all smiles, as is Griffin and his parents.
Seeing the love in this room, including the love and encouragement from the guys on the team, it’s all I needed to see to breathe a huge sigh of relief that I’m making all the right decisions for me and for my future with Griffin.
This is the life I want.
A life with Griffin by my side.
A life with a loving, supportive family.
A life with the best friends I could ever be blessed to know.
“Wait, Griffy,” Gage says, pointing to the phone. “They’re wearing their uniforms.”
“Yeah.” Griffin nods. “They have a game to play tonight. It should be starting in the next hour or so.”
“But you’re going to miss it.”
Griffin smiles. “Yeah, but I’m here with you bud. I wanted to make sure you were okay. You’re way more important than a stupid hockey game.”
“Hey.” Gage points at his brother. “Hockey isn’t stupid. You have to go play so I can watch you.”
“Well, it’s a little late for tonight bud. We’ll have to cheer on the guys. You and me together.”
“I can find the game on my iPad,” I tell Gage. “You guys can watch it right here if you want.”
“But what about Chicago?” Griffin’s told me before that Gage knows every bit of his brother’s schedule. Every stat. Every score. He makes it his job to know.
“I don’t need to go, Gage. It’s okay. Coach knows where I am.”
“I want you to go. You love the birds.”
I chuckle hearing Gage call the Chicago Red Tails the birds as that’s how the team refers to them as well.
“I do. You’re right.” Griffin nods. “But they’ll understand. It’s okay.”
Gage shakes his head. “Griffin, I’m fine. I can do this. And you can go play. Your teammates are counting on you. They need you. If you’re not there, Dex Foster will beat up on Bodhi Roche and the team will lose.”
Griffin laughs. “I won’t tell Bodhi you said that, okay?”
Gage shrugs. “Okay but it’s true. Dex can be a rough player until you’re on the ice. You guys have fun together.”
“Yeah, we do. You’re right.”
“Gage is right, Son,” his dad says. “He’s going to be okay. If you want to play in Chicago there’s still time to find a flight out even first thing in the morning if not tonight.”
Griffin surveys his family and then glances back at me. I only offer him a helpless shrug because this has to be his decision. Definitely not mine.
“Are you sure you’re going to be okay?” he asks his brother. “I have no problem staying here with you.” He holds Gage’s leg. “You’re more important to me than anyone.”
Gage smirks. “Even Layken?”
Griffin shrugs and then loudly whispers, “Bro before Doe.”
“Hey Ollenberg!” A familiar face walks toward us in the hallway of the arena as Layken and I enter the players area. The hole in Dex Foster’s smile where he had yet another tooth knocked out a few nights ago gives him an all new mischievous look about him.
“Hey Foster. You ready for tonight?”
“Ready to kick your ass you mean?”
Griffin tips his head back and cackles. “In your dreams buddy. Whatever helps you sleep at night.”
When Dex reaches us he gives Griffin a big hug and does this bro-like handshake that I couldn’t replicate if I tried. “How’s your brother, man? I heard he was in an accident?”
“Yeah.” Griffin nods. “T-boned by a fucking drunk. He pulled through surgery though and is doing okay. R-I-P to his spleen and he has some new hardware in his arm but he should thankfully have a full recovery.”
“Optimus Fine he is then, huh? More than meets the eye.”
“Yeah,” Griffin laughs. “It was his idea for me to get the hell out of the hospital so I could come whip you into shape on the ice.”
Dex laughs. “Dammit, that’s going to suck for you isn’t it then? When you have to tell him you failed.”
“Meh. I’ll just hand him one of your teeth and tell him it was all me.”
Dex laughs harder and then rubs his chin between his thumb and forefinger. “Hmm, would Tate like that better in the bedroom or no?”
“Nah,” I say, butting into their conversation. “We girls like a little nibble action.”
“Shit I’m sorry, Layken,” Griffin says palming his forehead. “Dex, this is my wife, Layken. Layken, Dex Foster.”
“Oh, I’m well aware who Dex Foster is,” I say, reaching out my hand to shake his. “Plus, we were introduced last year at the Children’s Art Auction.”
“Indeed, we were.” He nods. “So, then you know I’m a hugger not a shaker.” He opens his arms and gives me great big hug. “It’s a pleasure to meet you again, Layken. I’ve already started reading your book.”
I freeze in Dex’s arms. “Wait, what?”
“Yeah. Charlee Landric knew all about it. She gave copies to all of us. Milo was eating it up.” He leans in and whispers, “Chapter twelve?” He kisses the tips of his fingers in a chef’s kiss gesture. “Perfection.”
Feeling the blush creep onto my cheeks, I smile. “Well, I’m glad you like it.”
He waves his finger at me, his eyes narrowed. “I have a feeling we’re going to hear big things about you, Layken Hobbs Ollenberg.”
Dex nudges Griffin. “I’ve got to stop into the daycare and check on the kids before the game. Summer always gives me a good-luck kiss. I’ll catch you guys later?”
“For sure.” Griffin nods.
I wave as he walks past us and continues down the hall. “It was great to see you, Dex.”
“Right back at ya pretty lady!”
We continue down the hall toward the Stars’ locker room and I am suddenly giddy. “Oh, my God, Griffin, did you hear him? They’re reading my book! Like, the whole fucking team!”
Griffin lifts me up and swings me around. “Fucking right they are. I told you big things were going to happen for you.”
“I love you, Griffin.”
“I love you too, Naughty. And I can’t wait to spend every night from now until eternity showing you just how much.”
“Layken! Griffin!” Marlee steps out of one of the rooms as we approach happy to see us both. “I was just looking for you guys!” Her smile fades momentarily. “How’s Gage?”
“He’s good, thanks,” Griffin answers positively. “Should make a full recovery.”
“Amazing news! Really, that’s so great.” She beams and then shakes her head like she’s clearing the clutter from her brain. “Anyway, the reason I was looking for you. Actually, it’s Layken I was looking for, but I figured you would want to hear this too, Griffin since you guys are…you know, married and all that.”
“What can I help you with?” I ask her, wondering why on earth she would be looking for me.
“Well, your charming husband had this idea that I absolutely loved so I took it the organization and they are totally on board if you are.”
I frown, shaking my head in confusion. “On board with what?”
“Oh.” Marlee glances at Griffin curiously. “You didn’t tell her?”
“Hell no,” Griffin answers adamantly. “I wasn’t about to do that and have it not work out.”
“What are we talking about, exactly? What’s not working out?”
Marlee grins at Griffin and winks and then turns to me. “Layken, how would you like a job working for the Anaheim Stars Franchise?”
Wait.
What?
Me?
Work for the Stars?
“Uh…”
She explains further. “The Stars organization would like to add a new tier to their charitable foundation. One that works primarily for the youth in our community.” She pats Griffin’s shoulder. “And this guy here thought maybe that might be something you would excel at. So, I contacted Pacific Children’s because Coach Hicks said that’s where you used to work until they merged. They put me in touch with your old boss and she couldn’t sing your praises enough. She said we would be stupid not to hire you on the spot so,” she says with a shrug. “I know we’re in Chicago at the moment but on behalf of the General Managers and the board of directors, I’m offering you a full-time job as the head of our Youth Development Foundation with the Anaheim Stars if you’re interested.”
My jaw practically unhinges.
Is this even happening right now?
What are the odds that I turn down a job, and am offered a dream job within days of each other?
Tears spring to my eyes and I feel Griffin put an arm around me. He leans in and whispers in my ear, “This is where you say yes, Naughty.”
“Yes!” I blurt. “Oh my God, yes! I…I accept.”
“Perfect.” Marlee chuckles. “I had a feeling you would say that.”
“Marlee, thank you.” I step toward her and give her a gigantic hug. “Thank you so much! Truly. I don’t even know what to say.”
“Well, you can thank your husband for putting the bug in my ear. It was the perfect idea and even better that we didn’t have to make this a lengthy process of finding the right person to help us make it all happen. I’ll notify the front office and we’ll set up a meeting when we get back to Anaheim to go over particulars and sign contracts and all that good stuff.”
“Sounds good. Thank you again.”
“No, Layken. Thank you!” She gives Griffin a high five and says, “Good luck out there tonight. Ruffle those feathers.”
“Thanks Marlee,” Griffin says with a wink and a smile. He turns back to me and I attack his face with my mouth, pressing my lips to his and practically jumping into his body.
“You did that? For me?”
He shrugs. “It was just an idea I had. I wasn’t sure she would go for it, but…you lose one hundred percent of the chances you don’t take so, I had to give it a go.”
His eyes bore into mine. “I didn’t want you to go to Miami,” he confesses. “I mean I would’ve done it because I love the fuck out of you, but…”
“I get it,” I tell him, nudging his nose with mine. “I didn’t want to go either. I would’ve missed you terribly and I would’ve worried every single day that you weren’t happy.”
“Are you happy now?” he asks me sincerely.
“No,” I tell him shaking my head. “But I will be when you kick those birds to the curb tonight and then sink that eleven-incher inside me so hard it knocks the wind right out of my lungs.”
The giddy smile that crosses my husband’s face is nothing less than adorable. “Gotta go, Naughty. I’ve got a game to win. Birds to kill.” He pats my ass and then kisses me once more. “I love you so goddamn much, Layken. And I’m so fucking happy you’re my wife.”
“I love you too, Griffin. If I had to twerk down the aisle on my wedding day, I’m glad I was twerking towards you.”