Chapter 47 Greyson
Chapter forty-seven
Greyson
Can we add Eric Gale to the hit list?
~ Two Days Later ~
“All right, boys. Listen up! Tonight’s a big night for us all.
All we’re missing is one win. One win to finally take home what should have been ours years ago.
We may still have two chances left, but wouldn’t it be great to win the cup while being home?
Where all your friends, your families, your fans are here to witness this historical moment?
Now wouldn’t that be fucking great?” Coach smiles as we all hoot and shout our agreement.
He’s not much of a swearer, but when he does, it hits deeper.
He goes on to explain tonight’s game plan and the line-ups, then addresses some of us specifically. “Ford.”
“Yeah, Coach?”
“Tonight, I’m giving you a free pass. Don’t let that Gale fella get to you. And if he does, don’t hold back. I’ll be turning a blind eye to the penalty box for the night.” He winks, and I smirk.
Everyone knows how much Eric Gale is always on my case. I try my hardest not to engage in fights, but sometimes I’d love to just ram into him and send him away in a stretcher.
“Okay, gentlemen, time to go. Make me proud by making the dream I never had the chance to accomplish come true.” There’s a touch of yearning in his voice.
Silas stands first, lifting his stick to the air. “For Coach.”
We all rise and join in. “For Coach!”
We make our way to the ice, starting off with some pregame drills before heading over to our families for a quick hello.
The energy radiating off the fans in the arena is hypnotizing, the buzz and screams louder than usual.
Everyone can feel it—how important this moment is for all of us.
Blue, yellow, and white lights flicker all over while music plays loudly.
This is what I live for, this thrill. There’s nothing quite like it.
I skate over to my family all standing by the glass, waiting to wish me good luck.
“Oh, my sweet boy!” my mother coos.
“We’re proud of you, son,” my father says with the greatest smile I’ve ever seen on his face.
Lance and Amanda wish me good luck, as do my sister and the rest of the girls. Then I give my attention to the only two people who really matter here tonight. My girls.
“Hi, Buttercup.” I lean down and pick up a puck, passing it through the hole for Gracie to grab. It’s become our tradition. Every game she attends, I give her a puck. We’re starting to have quite the collection at home.
Once in her grasp, she bangs it against the glass and chants, “Dada! Dada! Dada!” The smile on my face stretches even wider and I blow her a kiss.
She looks adorable with her two pigtails sticking above her head and those huge pink noise-canceling headphones. She’s also got her ‘BABY FORD’ jersey on above what looks like a pink tutu dress and thick white stockings. Definitely dressed for the occasion.
I look at Emma who holds her. Emma’s hair is styled in those big old-fashioned curls that suit her perfectly, with a pair of skintight black jeans and her ‘TEAM FORD’ jersey.
I’m thinking of getting her a new one with ‘MAMA FORD’ or ‘MRS. FORD’ written on it.
I’m not sure yet. I’ll have to ask the girls, they’ll know what’s best.
“Hey, baby,” I wink.
She bites her lip and blushes slightly. “Hey, handsome.” Her eyes dart over my shoulder, and her smile drops, replaced by a glare. “Ugh! I hate that guy.”
When I look back, I spot none other than Eric Gale smirking. He shouldn’t even be on this side of the ice, but I’m not surprised. Anything to get on my nerves. “Ignore him,” I tell her.
“No. He’s an asshole and needs to be put in his place. I’m tired of him hitting you on purpose. You hit him back this time. I won’t be mad, I promise.”
I can’t help but chuckle. “Coach said something very similar in the locker room.”
“Good. Then we’re on the same page.”
Silas bumps into my shoulder. “Come on, back to the drills and stretching.”
I nod and turn back to Emma, placing my gloved hand against the glass as she presses hers against mine. “I love you, Bunny.”
Her mouth opens like she’s about to speak, but then she closes it and swallows. I usually maintain control over my features when she doesn’t say it back, but tonight, I can’t hide the disappointment. My hand drops to my side and my smile dims.
What the hell am I doing wrong? I don’t get it. It’s been over a month. I’ve done everything to prove to her how real we are. Fuck, we talk about marriage and kids. She said I was her one. So why won’t she say it back?
Her face falls like mine. “Wolf…”
I offer her a tight smile before turning my back and skating away.
No matter how badly I wish I could force the words out of her, there’s not much more I can do but wait.
EMMA
What the hell am I doing?
What’s wrong with me?
Why didn’t I say it?
I wanted to. I was going to. But when I opened my mouth, nothing came out.
I just froze. It was like I was hit in the face with memories, ones I didn’t know I still had.
I thought I was holding back because of my uncertainty after our fight, but now I realize that isn’t the case.
It has nothing to do with our fight, it’s about me. Me and my fears.
The last person I said those words to was Tommy.
I thought I was in love with him. He had seemed like the perfect guy up until I told him I loved him.
Then everything changed, and he turned into this manipulative asshole.
Ruined my self-esteem and every relationship I had with anyone else.
I lost myself when I was with him, and I swore I would never let that happen again.
I’ve been holding back by fear of history repeating itself without even knowing it.
But Greyson isn’t Tommy. He’s nothing like him. He’s never tried to control me or made me feel like I’m unworthy. All he’s ever done was encourage me and stand by my side. Not only has he made it clear how devoted he is to me through his words, but also his actions.
Every single day he finds different ways to make it known. He’s everything I’ve ever wanted. And all this time I’ve been making him feel like he isn’t enough. All because of fear, fear that I’m still not good enough for someone.
But that ends now.
“I’m such an idiot!” I say to myself before passing Gracie over to Nancy.
When I look back up for Greyson, I find him on the other side of the ice doing warm-ups. Fuck, he won’t hear me from that far away.
I slap my hand to the glass panel once and shout, “WOLF!” There’s no reaction from him as the noise in the arena covers my calls. I lift my second hand and smack it again repeatedly. “WOLF!!!”
Still nothing.
I grip my hair and close my eyes, searching for another way to gain his attention.
I know I could just wait until after the game.
But I need him to hear it now. I need him to know.
I lift my hands in the air and flap them from side to side, hoping someone on the ice will notice and tell him since his back is now to me.
That doesn’t work either.
“God damn it!” I stomp my foot in frustration.
I look at my family and friends, finding them all watching me have a mini meltdown. “I’m sorry. I know, I’m being ridiculous. I just… I really wanted to tell him that I love him.”
Comprehension flickers over the girls’ features. They all know I haven’t said those words to him yet. Suddenly Cecilia stands from her seat and smacks the glass like I had previously done. Morgan, Ronnie, and Aubrey all rise to do the same as they start chanting loudly.
“WOLF! WOLF! WOLF!”
I’m filled with contentment and gratification as I watch them, only to notice the rest of our little group has joined in on the mantra. Soon, a few rows behind us get involved, clapping their hands in time and yelling the single word along with us.
I curl my hands into fists and bang them against the glass as I continue to scream his nickname. My eyes stay glued to him, begging for him to see me. To feel me.
Suddenly, a few heads on the ice turn our way.
I see Greyson straighten and look around, confused as to what he’s hearing.
Clay skates beside him and points in our direction.
When Grey’s eyes finally fall on mine, he smiles but then looks at the time and Silas.
Sy nods quickly, and finally Greyson skates over at lightning speed, his gloved hands the only thing stopping him from crashing into the wall.
The chants and banging all stop at once as we stare at each other. A slow grin spreads over my lips as I look at him. This man, he’s mine. How the fuck did I get so lucky?
“I LOVE YOU, GREYSON FORD! I FUCKING LOVE YOU!” I shout as loud as I can, wanting him to hear every word clearly. Wanting him to memorize every syllable. “I’m sorry it took me so long to say it! But I promise I’ll make it up to you!”
His beautiful face breaks out with the most breathtaking smile as a joyous laugh leaves his lips. His gloved hand comes to his chest like he can physically feel my words.
“Now get back out there, kick some ass, and bring that fucking cup home tonight!” I yell enthusiastically, everyone around cheering with approval. He shakes his head, still laughing, then skates away once more.
I drop to my seat feeling relieved with a giddy smile on my face. When I look to my left and right, I find all my friends and family smiling back at me as a heated blush forms over my cheeks.
“I’m sorry for swearing in front of the kids, but this was important.” It’s all I can think of saying.
Cecilia squeezes my thigh with her hand. “I’m so happy for you guys.”
“We all are,” Morgan adds from beside her.
“I’m just glad I’m finally getting a sister.” Aubrey smirks with a playful wink.
I lean in farther, stretching my hand out over Cecilia and Morgan to reach for Brey’s. “Me too. Although you’re all my sisters already. I don’t know what I’d do without any of you.” I’m getting emotional. Ugh.
They all “aww” and say, “same,” at once.