Chapter 37
THIRTY-SEVEN
SAVI
I feel his fingers tighten in mine as the door opens and we step outside onto a red carpet leading us to the entrance of the building. I knew these events he does once a year to raise money for the foundation had gained recognition, but I didn’t realize just how big they’d become.
As soon as the press sees Knox, it’s like moths to a flame as cameras start flashing in all directions behind their designated area. Even fans are mixed into the crowd as they excitedly yell his name to get his attention.
“Stay close to me, sunshine,” he says quietly under his breath as one of the event coordinators leads us toward an assigned area for pictures.
His arm goes around my lower back, keeping me locked to him at all times as we pose for a few shots.
“Who’s with you tonight, Stone?” One of the reporters asks from the crowd.
“My girlfriend,” he says without hesitation, and I smile up at him.
His eyes hold a devilish look right before he leans down and kisses me right in front of everyone.
I feel the camera flashes go off behind my closed eyes, but I easily tune them out as Knox’s lips make everything around us disappear.
“Now we’re officially over the last hurdle,” he breathes against me. “The whole world will soon know you’re mine.”
“That’s why you kissed me,” I murmur, putting the pieces together.
“I didn’t want there to be any doubt,” he grins.
“Do we get a name?” Another one shouts out from behind his camera, pulling me out of my daze.
“You’re a reporter, I’m sure you can figure it out,” Knox says, grinning at the guy and causing a few chuckles in the crowd.
We stand for a few more candids before my family joins us for a group photo.
Once the publicists are satisfied, they usher us to a few reporters who were selected for the interviews.
Knox answers a few questions about the foundation and the cause, always keeping me close to his side as he’s speaking.
I know he doesn’t enjoy being in the spotlight, but damn does he look good in one. It’s hard for me not to admire the man beside me as he talks to the news outlets.
When he’s finally done, we head inside and make our way to the ballroom.
“Wow,” I whisper, stepping inside the vast room all decked out with grand chandeliers and several tables showcasing beautiful flower centerpieces.
“This place is gorgeous,” Lyla says in awe, admiring the white roses that are filling the air with their sweet scent.
“Starting at two grand a plate, it should be,” Knox chuckles.
“A plate?” Eve asks, shocked. “There must be around four hundred people here.”
“Four hundred and fifty to be exact,” Knox smiles. “We sold out with this one. A lot of kids are going to be happy this year.”
As my family heads to the bar, I turn and wrap my arms around his neck. “You’re pretty amazing, you know that.” I smile up at him as his hands run along my bare back.
“I’m just doing my part,” he shrugs. “It filled a void in me to work with these kids during the summer. I’m thinking of expanding The Grace Foundation and adding another cause to it,” he says quietly. He’s deep in thought as his eyes scan the room.
“What cause?”
He focuses back on me, his blue eyes lost in the past, as I watch some of the pain resurface briefly.
“McCormick and I got to talking one day, and it seems like he and I have a lot more in common than I thought,” he chuckles sadly.
“He grew up in a group home and was in the foster system for a while. Hockey was a good outlet for that anger, just like it was for me. Before we were teammates, I guess we both liked to use each other as a punching bag. In a fucked-up way, we knew the other could take it…enjoy it even. We both were just trying to outskate our demons. Pain recognizes pain, I guess.”
“Knox…” Every time he talks about his past, my heart breaks all over again. All I want to do is hug the little boy inside of him who never felt love like I did growing up.
Smiling sadly, he brushes his thumb against my cheek. “No more tears for me, sunshine,” he says softly as I fight to hold them in. “It’s in the past, and I’m here with you now. That’s what matters.”
I nod slightly and do my best to blink them away before they fall.
“For a lot of kids, though, they are still living the hell that McCormick and I went through. We’ve been talking about using the foundation to set up more private group homes that specialize in abused and neglected children, whether it’s from their own homes or in foster care.
They would get access to better therapy and also athletic programs that would otherwise cost too much.
If kids have a safe person to talk to and can find a passion that lights them up, then the world doesn’t seem so dark anymore.
It gives them a reason to keep fighting. ”
“I think that’s a really wonderful idea,” I say softly, feeling my love for this man grow even more—something I didn’t think was possible.
“You know… When I went through what I did, our family dog got me through some tough times. I told him all my secrets and fears. Just lying in bed with him at night made the nightmares more bearable. Maybe I could help in some way? Find a support animal for the homes you fund?”
“I love that idea,” he smiles. “I also really love the idea of you being part of all of this,” he says, looking around at all the people who came out tonight to support his cause.
“I like being part of it too,” I beam.
“Damn, Savi! You look fucking amazing. If things don’t work out with Knox…”
“I wouldn’t finish that sentence if I were you,” Knox growls, cutting Jett off as he appears at his side.
“You’ve got to stop teasing him,” I laugh. “He’s going to have an aneurysm one day.”
“I don’t think I can stop. It’s too much fun.” His blue eyes twinkle with amusement.
“Try, dammit,” Knox mutters.
The rest of the lineup appear one by one, and I feel like I’m suddenly surrounded by GQ models as they each give me a hug. No wonder the tickets sold out. Most girls would pay twice the amount just to spend the evening with these six in their tuxedos.
“How’s Scarlett doing?” I ask, turning to Cayden at my side.
His vivid green eyes light up when he hears his daughter’s name. Knox had mentioned going over to his place and having dinner there soon. I’m looking forward to meeting this cutie who has Knox wrapped around her little finger.
“She’s perfect,” he grins. “Hey, since you grew up here, I wanted to ask you if you knew of any ballet classes in the area that you would recommend? It’s all she talks about, and I want to get her into some dance lessons.”
“I do actually. One of my friends has a younger sister who teaches ballet in Crystal Isle. I’ll have Knox give you her number. She’s really good and great with kids. Scarlett will love her.”
“That would be great. I will feel better knowing that you know her. I’m very protective of her,” he smiles and takes a sip of his drink before turning toward Hunter to join in on a conversation the rest of them are having.
I remember the day I heard about his wife’s tragic accident on the news. Everyone in town was heartbroken, especially knowing that a little girl had lost her mother.
From what I’ve heard, he hasn’t dated since. He’s focused on two things and two things only. His daughter and hockey. Everything else is just noise and something he doesn’t have time for.
“I see your family has found our table,” Knox says, putting his arm around my waist. “Let’s grab some drinks and join them. Dinner should be starting soon.”
I nod as he takes my hand, leading us to the bar. We get stopped numerous times as Knox briefly makes small talk and introduces me to people as we go. We finally get our drinks and appear at the table just as dinner is being served.
“God, I forgot how exhausting talking is,” he mutters, pulling at his bowtie like it’s suddenly too hot in here.
“You’re doing good,” I reassure him.
He puts his hand on my thigh like last time, and his palm warms my skin. “I’m doing better now.” His lips lift at the corner as he caresses my bare leg through the slit of my dress. “I knew I chose this dress for a reason,” he says under his breath as he takes a sip of his bourbon.
“Wait until you see what I’m wearing underneath,” I innocently say, taking a drink of my white wine. “You chose that too.”
“Tell me it’s the red one,” he swallows slowly.
“Guess you’ll have to find out later,” I smile, taking a bite of my salad.
Leaning closer to my ear, I feel his breath tickle my skin. “You know I’m not patient, sunshine.”
His hand skims up my dress, and I feel his finger hook the side of my thong before he tugs it down to the slit, showing the barest of red before he snaps it back in place. I jolt in my chair and hear a small chuckle next to me.
“Red,” he says. “Good choice. Very good choice.”
Thank God the chatter around us is loud, and it’s dimly lit from the chandeliers for no one to notice my reddened face or the fact that I’m breathing a little harder than normal.
“I can’t believe you just did that,” I whisper.
“You’re lucky that’s all I did because I want to do so much more,” he grins wickedly before taking a bite of steak.
Just then, the spokesperson for the foundation turns our attention to the stage as he gives a welcome speech, disrupting my thoughts of dragging Knox away, so he can show what this ‘more’ of his entails.
We listen through dinner as they explain the heart of The Grace Foundation and what donating means to these children.
A few families join him on stage to share their stories about how much the foundation has changed their lives. I can’t help but get emotional when I see the children on stage who are truly being touched by Knox’s hard work and giving heart.
He’s turned something so devastating and painful that happened to him into something filled with hope and love.
I squeeze his hand resting on my thigh, and he interlocks our fingers, as his thumb absently rubs my skin.