Amelia
SIXTY-ONE
Lainey
Have you found a place to live yet, A?
Sienna
We miss you! We need to visit ASAP.
Me
No luck on the apartment, but I’m trying!
The second I move in, you all will be on the first flight out here. I miss the hell out of you too.
Lainey
How does Baltimore compare to Denver?
Me
Totally different, but that’s not a bad thing.
It was time for a change.
Sienna
FaceTime us when you’re free!
Me
I’ll call tomorrow. Promise!
The door to Grant’s apartment flies open, and I almost drop the book I’m holding. I put a hand over my chest, heaving out a sigh of relief when I find it’s him walking down the hall and not an intruder.
“Hey,” I call out with a smile, but I frown as he yanks off his suit jacket. A button comes loose and rolls across the hardwood floor to where I’m sitting in the living room. “What’s wrong?”
He doesn’t answer me, instead making a beeline for the kitchen before reappearing with a glass of amber liquid. He downs it in two swallows then wipes his mouth with the back of his hand.
“It’s been an interesting evening,” Grant says. A low rumble follows, and his grip on the glass tightens. “I just found out my sister is sleeping with someone I used to trust.”
I shove my book aside and hold out my palm, reaching for him. He steps toward me and laces our fingers together, setting down his glass before sitting on the couch next to me.
“Can you start from the beginning?” I ask, keeping my voice soft. His narrowed eyes and red cheeks make me think he’s about to explode, and I stroke my hand up his arm in an attempt to calm him down. “Is it one of your teammates?”
“I wish it were Ethan, and I never thought that would be something I’d say.” He pinches the bridge of his nose. “Remember when I told you about the team dinner last month? How Hannah and Coach Saunders were acting friendly?”
“I do.”
“Joke’s on me, because they’re sleeping together.
” Grant leans forward and puts his head in his hands, rubbing his eyes.
“I saw them in the tunnel after we won. Coach was kissing her and spinning her around in his arms. Hannah was laughing. I lashed out at them, but I don’t know what the fuck they’re doing.
And I don’t know what Hannah is thinking. ”
“Holy shit. That’s a lot to process. Did you ever talk to Hannah like I suggested?” I ask.
“No.” His shoulders curl in. “And I don’t want to. I don’t want to have any part in what’s going on between them. Coach says he loves her, but come on. It can’t be that serious. There are years between them—he’s so much older than her.”
“There are years between us,” I point out, and Grant looks at me. “Not much less than Brody and Hannah.”
“We have hockey as a common denominator. Take away whatever the two of them are doing, and they don’t have a single mutual interest. We do.” He drops back against the cushions, crossing his arms over his chest. “Why didn’t she tell me what was going on?”
“She probably wanted to keep her relationship private so she wouldn’t have to deal with any scrutiny from outside parties. You can’t fault her.” I lift my eyebrow. “You haven’t told her about us, have you?”
“No, but that’s because we’re protecting your job,” he argues. “There’s a lot at stake for us.”
“There’s a lot at stake for Hannah and Brody too, including how her older brother might react to finding out about their relationship.
” I take his hand in mine again. “I understand that you were caught off guard, but the whole situation isn’t much different from our situation.
She’s an adult who can make her own choices, and if Brody makes her happy, is it fair to put up a fight against that?
The world is shitty enough. I don’t think you should punish someone for trying to find joy wherever they can. ”
“You’re too rational, and it’s annoying,” Grant mumbles, but his mouth curls up in a small smile. “Why do you have to be the voice of reason?”
“It’s the coach in me.” I lift his hand and kiss it. “Two things can be true at the same time: You can be pissed about something that surprised you, but Hannah is also allowed to date whoever she wants.”
“I wasn’t very nice when I found out. I was a dick, to be honest.” He holds out his arms and I scoot over to him, relaxing against his chest. “To Brody. To Hannah. The way I reacted was shitty, but I was frustrated. Now that I’ve had a minute to think about all of it, I realize I acted way out of line. ”
“I’m proud of you for recognizing that.”
“I’d never deny my sister from dating someone, but I need to sit with all of this to figure out how I’m going to be okay with it.” Grant rests his chin on the top of my head. “Thanks for letting me talk through it. I don’t want to punch a wall anymore. Or commit a murder.”
“You’re too nice of a guy to punch a wall.” I laugh and tilt my head to look up at him. “Besides the big relationship reveal, can we talk about your night? You’re advancing to the next round in the playoffs, Grant. That’s amazing.”
“Came down to the wire, but we did it. I’m happy it was Ethan who scored that goal too. He deserves that accolade.” He bends to press a kiss to my forehead. “Tell me about your night.”
“My night was boring as hell compared to yours. I sat on the couch and watched hockey while eating a pizza the size of my face.”
“Were there mushrooms on it? And all the other disgusting toppings you like?”
“A shit ton of mushrooms. Do you have a problem with that?”
“No. I’m suddenly the biggest fan of mushrooms because of you.” He tucks a piece of hair behind my ear and smiles. “Can’t believe I get to come home from a game and have you here. It’s the best part of my night.”
Grant holds me in his arms and stands. He carries me down the hall to his room, and I wrap my legs around his waist. He smells like sweat and dried blood, but I don’t care. I get to be here with him, and it’s the best part of my night too.
An hour later, we’re in bed and sitting side by side.
My head is on Grant’s chest. He’s stroking his fingers through my hair, and I let out a content sigh. When his phone rings, his body stiffens. He reaches for the nightstand, groaning when he sees the name on the screen.
“It’s Maverick,” he grumbles. “He’s probably calling to tell me I need to apologize to Coach.”
“It might be good to hear what he has to say.” I shrug. “You said he’s matured a lot since your rookie year. An outside perspective could be helpful.”
“You and that logic again.” He kisses my cheek and slides his thumb across the screen, answering the call and putting it on speaker. “Hey, Cap.”
“You didn’t text me when you got home,” Maverick says from the other end of the line. “You know I worry about my children.”
“Sorry, Daddy.” Grant chuckles and leans back. “What’s up?”
“I wanted to check on you. How are you doing?”
“I know you’re trying to be the peacemaker, Mavvy, but I need some time. I’m not going to boycott practice. I’m not going to make an angry social media post. I’m going to show up and do the job I’m supposed to do, but I’m also going to be pissed about what’s happening in my personal life too.”
“I get it, and it’s totally fair.” There’s a long pause. “But… come on. Who knew Coach had that kind of game, huh? I didn’t think he’d be able to talk to a wall, let alone a woman.”
“I will punch you in the face, Miller, and not feel bad about it,” Grant practically growls, and Maverick laughs. I have to hold back my own giggle. “I’m not in the mood to hear about Coach’s dating habits.”
“I’m kidding, obviously. Do you need anything? Can I help at all?”
“Nah.” He traces his fingers down my arm and rests his hand on my stomach. “I have everything I need, and I’m just fine.”
“Call me anytime,” Maverick says. “Love you, dude. Make sure to celebrate tonight.”
“Love you too, Mavvy,” Grant answers. “Thanks for checking in.”
After they hang up, he tosses his phone on the mattress and stretches out his legs. I sit up so I can look at him, smiling when he grins my way.
“Are you going to call your sister?” I ask.
“I need a minute before I talk to her, and there’s no way that she would answer. I deserve the silent treatment.”
“Do you want to be alone? I can get a hotel for the night.”
“No way. I want you here with me,” he says. “I’m happier when you’re around.”
“Do you think you’re still going to feel that way in August?”
“Hey.” Grant frowns. “What’s going on?”
“Sorry. I’m overthinking.” I shake my head. “We’re going to spend a lot of time together the next couple of months, and that’s a big change for us.”
My heart races. Up to this point, we’ve been on opposite sides of the country. We’ve existed in tiny slivers of each other’s lives with FaceTime calls and the occasional meet up, and the thought of waking up next to him every single day is terrifying.
A good terrifying, my brain whispers.
It’s the next step in our relationship. A move toward more, toward finally.
How could I ever be afraid when I have Grant by my side?
“Lia,” he whispers. “There hasn’t been a second since we met where I haven’t wanted to be with you.
You take up all of my thoughts. You’re the best part of all of my days.
And knowing I get to have a real, regular life with you over the next couple of months?
” He huffs out a chuckle and wraps his fingers around my wrist, pulling me toward him. “That’s the damn dream, baby.”
There’s a ball of energy behind my ribs. It inflates, ballooning to the point of distraction and looping around my heart, tying tight.
It’s carefree.
It’s a crush.
It’s happiness.
It’s something so much more.
“Sounds like we have a fun summer ahead of us,” I say, and his eyes brighten.
“The chance at another Stanley Cup and doing it with you in the stands?” Grant grins. “How does it get better than that?”