17. Grant
SEVENTEEN
GRANT
NOVEMBER, FIVE SEASONS AGO
Puck Kings RIP Dave’s Dogs
Sully
Is there a reason why this godforsaken chat has such a long name?
What was wrong with Puck Kings?
Me
Uh… guys? Is anyone else awake and learning that Liam knows the name of our group chat?!?!
Did you finally pull the stick out of your ass, Goalie Daddy?
And Ethan changed the name because Dave’s Dogs closed.
Sully
Something like that.
The fact that you are mourning a hot dog stand in the arena tells me you need to touch some grass.
Easy E
I talked to some of the workers who were stationed at Dave’s Dogs for games. We’re going to stage a protest outside the food and beverage offices.
Peer pressure to get our glizzys back!
Mitchy
I wish I was this passionate about something in life.
Huddy Boy
No, you don’t.
Mavvy
Team dinner tomorrow! Emmy will be there, so don’t give away any of our secrets.
Easy E
lol. Dude. You probably tell her all our plays while you’re in bed with her.
Me
Cap is going to kick your ass, E. Hope you’re prepared for that.
*Sully has left the chat*
*Mitchy has added Sully to the chat*
Mitchy
You’re going to want to see this, Sul.
Sully
I’m busy. Stop bothering me.
Easy E
You literally started the conversation, Sully!
Me
Do you have friends outside of us?
Sully
The things you don’t know about me would blow your tiny mind, Everett.
Me
Jeez, Goalie Daddy. Stop flirting with me.
@AmeliaGreen
I have to tell you something.
But I need you to promise not to judge me.
@GrantEverett
I have no clue what this could be about, but I’m excited.
@AmeliaGreen
I cannot wait to touch down in DC tomorrow night so I can head to Pete’s Café the second they open for lunch on Wednesday.
This is your fault, by the way.
@GrantEverett
I’d say I’m sorry, but I’m never going to apologize for bringing goodness into your life, Amelia.
Want some company?
@AmeliaGreen
Yes, because I’m going to make you pay. You’re fueling this addiction, and you need to be held responsible.
@GrantEverett
My credit card is ready.
Also, unrelated, but did you hear about that football player who had his social media hacked? All his DMs and private conversations were leaked.
Made me think that we could move to texting so there’s an extra layer of security.
@AmeliaGreen
I did see that. It’s terrifying.
Texting sounds safer.
Not that we’re doing anything wrong. Just, you know, for peace of mind.
@GrantEverett
*Attachment: 1 Contact*
Here’s my number. I promise I’ll keep your information private and save you in my phone by your initials.
@AmeliaGreen
I appreciate that. I’ll text you when I’m ready to go on Wednesday.
@GrantEverett
Sounds good!
“What did you bring tonight?” Hudson peers over my shoulder. “Steamed broccoli?”
“Broccoli has a lot of fiber and important antioxidants.” I swipe a cracker from a plate on the kitchen island. “The restaurant also messed up my order, and I hate confrontation. I took the veggies and left.”
“I wish I was twenty-three and young again. You’ll appreciate confrontation one day.” He laughs and grabs a water bottle from Maverick’s fridge. “I have no problem telling someone my order is wrong.”
“Yeah, but you’re a nice guy. I’m afraid I’d forget how to speak and just stare at the hostess while I growled broccoli at her,” I say.
“You sure are something, G.”
“I’m taking that as a compliment.” I glance into the dining room and gasp. “Oh my god.” I smack Hudson’s arm. “Look. Liam is literally sitting at the dining room table and smiling. Do you think he’s dying? He’d tell us if he was dying, wouldn’t he?”
“What?” Hudson follows where I’m pointing to our goalie. “Okay. That’s weird.”
“See? He is dying, and I’m going to miss him when he’s gone.”
“Who’s dying?” Piper asks, sliding up next to me. “Are you okay, Grant?”
“I think there’s something wrong with Liam,” I whisper. “He’s smiling. He never smiles.”
“Oh.” She coughs, and when I glance down at her, her cheeks are bright red. “I bet it’s the food. Riley brought some really good garlic bread, and Liam loves carbs. At least, I think I remember him saying that in an interview.”
“He did an interview? Huh. Wild times. But what a relief he’s okay.” I sigh, putting a hand over my chest. “Let me track down some of this garlic bread.”
I maneuver through Maverick and Emmy’s apartment, greeting my teammates with high fives and ignoring Ethan when he tries to hand me a handmade poster rallying against the closure of his favorite arena food stall.
When I make it to a spot in the living room next to Connor, I pull out my phone, wanting to make sure Amelia got to town safely.
There’s already a message waiting for me.
Unknown Number
I usually do okay with flying, but turbulence makes me want to cry.
It’s Amelia Green, by the way.
I save her contact info, changing her name to something more inconspicuous.
Me
You’re now saved in my phone as AG!
Flight wasn’t enjoyable?
AG
Pretty sure we fell out of the sky at one point.
Me
Shit. That sounds scary.
“Want to play Halo, G?” Riley tosses me a controller, and I almost drop my phone. “It’s you, me, and Connor.”
“Give me a minute.”
I rest the controller in my lap and scoot to the edge of the couch. I pull my notebook from my back pocket and shield it with my right hand, flipping to the third page and starting to write.
Doesn’t like turbulence, but is okay with flying otherwise
“What are you writing?” Connor tries to lean into my space. “Pretty sure my sister had one of those pens back in middle school.”
“Don’t hate. This is my favorite writing utensil.” I slide the cap on the gel pen and slip it back in my pocket with the notebook. I toss him a sly grin. “And mind your business about what I’m writing.”
“You’re not going back to school, are you?”
“No way. Just trying to keep track of some personal data. Food I’m eating. How much I sleep,” I lie. “I really want to make the first line.”
“It’s going to happen, G.” He elbows me. “It will be a good day when you do.”
My phone lights up again, and I take advantage of my friends being distracted to sneak a look at the message waiting for me.
AG
I’m in DC. Does 11 work for you tomorrow? I need to head to the arena around 3:30.
Me
Perfect. We have a light skate in the morning. I’ll probably just come from there. Want me to grab you on the way?
AG
Is Pete’s far from my hotel? We’re staying at the Hilton by the arena.
Me
About three miles. It’s supposed to be cold!
AG
Sure. A ride sounds great.
Me
I’ll text when I’m around the corner.
“I need you to lock in, G-Money.” Connor gets the game lobby set up. “We’re playing Capture the Flag, and I’m always shit at this one.”
“Should’ve done King of the Hill,” I say, flipping Maverick off when he blocks the television from view. “Can you move your ass please, Cap?”
“It’s my house. My ass can go wherever it wants, Everett,” he tosses back, but he’s kind enough to shift out of the way. “That’s only because you said please.”
“Love you, Mavvy!” I call out as the game starts. I take a kill shot to the head when I get another message and look at my phone. “You guys keep playing. I’m going to hide in the cave for a second.”
“This is supposed to require full effort, G.” Connor groans when he misses an easy kill. “You’re not being a team player.”
“I’ll be quick. You won’t even know I’m gone!”
There’s a new notification from Amelia, and I don’t bother fighting off my grin as I open it.
AG
I’ve reached pathetic status. I really can’t think about anything but that sandwich. You’ve ruined me for life, Everett.
Me
I’ll make sure it’s worth your while tomorrow, Green.
AG
Don’t be late. Please. I’ve waited months for this.
Me
I’ll be right on time. I promise.
AG
I’m not afraid to use my coaching influence on you if you’re not.
Desire rips through me at her last message, and I let out a slow exhale.
Hot.
That was too damn hot and really fucking unfair. Now my mind is wandering, unable to stop thinking about what she meant by coaching influence.
Would she boss me around? Ask me to do something specific for her?
As if I wouldn’t gladly do it.
I rejoin the guys and fall into conversation about our game tomorrow, but my mind isn’t fully here.
My crush on Amelia will probably reach a breaking point soon.
It has to.
I might as well enjoy it for a little while longer.