by Aja Cole
Like I perceived he’d done to Natasha, leaving and coming back when it suited him.
I could read the regret on his face. The pain that it caused him to hear me talking to him this way, saying everything I never thought was real.
It felt…freeing.
I still didn’t agree with his lifestyle, but that wasn’t for me to judge. Not now. Apparently, he was done marrying. He spent more time on his business interests and home with Natasha. He hadn’t dissolved his other marriages, but he wasn’t actively engaging in them either.
It was something.
Natasha explained that she’d thought it was better to shield her feelings about my Father’s activities from me, to put on a smooth façade for the most part, rather than add to the activity of a house that saw enough.
Not as many big parties now, or having his entire family network together in his wife’s home.
He wasn’t a perfect man by any means. But he’d grown.
Maybe my relationship with both of them could finally find growth too.
I didn’t think all of us would be one happy family so easily…but it was a start.
A start was all I needed to give me hope.
31
Greyson
“Greyson, your phone’s ringing. Should I answer it?” Nicola leans against my bathroom door, watching me as I shave.
“Yeah, let me know who it is.” I rinse the blade, lifting my chin to clean it up.
I hear her answer, saying a few words, then she comes back with the phone in hand.
“It’s a girl.”
“What girl?”
“Daya?”
I almost gouge my neck, I turn so fast.
Smooth. Cut your jugular before you can find out what she wants.
Dropping the razor to the counter, I take the phone and pray she hasn’t hung up. Shit. The way we left things, plus a woman answering the phone? I can’t imagine what’s going through her head.
If I wasn’t me, I’d be gagging at my pathetic self when it came to her.
We weren’t together and I didn’t owe her anything, yet I still cared what she thought of me.
You’d be pissed if she was seeing someone else.
“Daya?”
“Greyson!” strangely, it sounds like she’s smiling.
“Uh…hey. What can I do for you?” I sound more nonchalant than I feel.
“You can meet me to talk when I’m back in New York.”
“Oh yeah, I’d heard you went back home?”
“It was a last-minute trip. But it…now I know that it was necessary.”
“Why’s that?”
“I’ll explain it all when…if…we can discuss some things.”
“The last time we discussed things, it didn’t go so well.”
“I know, and that’s my fault.”
“I wasn’t saying that.”
“You didn’t because you’re too damned nice, but we both know it’s true.”
I couldn’t argue with that. Nice or not.
This time around, I didn’t just want to leave the door wide open for her. I’d done that before, balls to the wall, and look where it got me.
I couldn’t get her out of my head but I had to put up a boundary.
“I don’t want a repeat of what happened that last time, Daya. If you can’t tell me that you’re ready to talk and deal with this without going blank on me, then I don’t think we should bother. We can’t build anything on nothing.”
The line is quiet and I wonder if that’s it.
If she’s going to tell me she can’t guarantee that and we’ll be over for good.
“I’m seeing a therapist, Greyson. I’m figuring things out. I won’t lie and say that I will all of a sudden have all my problems figured out. But, I think I’m on the way. I asked you to be patient with me before, when I wasn’t even ready to face the truth. Now I’m asking the same, but this time, I have answers too.”
Damn.
I didn’t want to get my hopes up.
But…I trusted her enough to say that I wanted to at least hear her out and decide for myself if it was worth going through again.
The fact that she was ready to talk to me about herself more, was something.
Will you regret it if you just let it go without one more shot?
“Okay. Call me when you’re back here and we’ll set something up.”
“Actually…I know you have a big home game next week. Still have those tickets available?”
“I do. We get two comped tickets a month. You’re a hockey fan now?”
“I’m a Greyson fan.”
Cue un-manly fuzzy feelings.
I fought the grin, but it came through anyway.
“They’re yours then.”
“Great. I’ll meet up with you after the game?”
“I’ll get you the details.”
“I’m glad you didn’t decline my call. Even though a girl answered.” She teases.
I rub a hand over the back of my neck, and then I realize I still have shaving cream on one side of my face. “Uh…about that, she—,” Daya interrupts.
“No need for an explanation. I’m just happy that I get to apologize to you in person. I’ll see you soon, Greyson.”
“Bye, Daya.” I press the end button, and finish shaving my face.
There’s plenty of shit to do before that game.
Like win the 3 before it.
I fly down the ice, chasing the puck and avoiding as many bodies as I can.
A check here and there, but my eye’s always on the puck.
Where it is. Where I need it go and who I need it to go to.
It’s all instinct when I’m out here.
I grew up with the game. Watched my father play since before I knew what it was, and rooted for him after I did. I’d stepped on the ice for the first time at 3, and I probably would’ve been on earlier if my mom hadn’t put her foot down.
No matter how many games we win, no matter how long I’ve played – there’s always work to do. I’m always looking for ways to be better. Studying other players. Going through all the game tapes and picking out what I did right and wrong for every game.
Hockey is my life.
There’s one minute left in the game. We’re up by one but you don’t stop playing for more until that time runs out.
I have possession of the puck and I protect it down through the neutral zone, speeding up and splitting two defensemen who try to flank me. They force me to go wide and I backhand it towards the goal, roofing it. It kisses the corner of the net as the clock runs out and the goal horn goes off as we all circle and skate back to each other, celebrating.
I sing the familiar goal song with my team and fans, relishing in the feeling. Relishing the win. It’s the 7th game in our winning streak and we’re all on high.
The next game is against one of our most hated rivals, New Jersey.
I’m ready to hand them their asses.
I would play hard because it’s what I always did.
But I knew I’d have an extra fan cheering me on.
I’d be lying if I said that knowing Daya was watching wouldn’t impact my play.
I wanted to show her what I lived for, show her how I played the sport I loved.
This would be the last chance for us.
Maybe if she saw how hard I fought for my team, she’d understand that if she just gave me a reason – I wouldn’t stop fighting for her either.
32
Daya
“This is my first time seeing Greyson play. Like, my brother is going to be out there kicking ass right in front of me.” Faith is practically vibrating with excitement next to me.
Meanwhile, I’m nervous as hell.
We’re about ten rows up from…center ice? I think that’s what Faith said. Apparently, they were great seats and a really good vantage point to see all the action. If we sat closer, we’d miss things. I wouldn’t have minded being right near the ice though…I only cared abou
t watching Greyson.
3 weeks of therapy, a come-to-Jesus meeting with my family, and a lot of tears later – I felt like a new person. A better person. Or at least on my way to becoming a better person.
There was no question that I’d treated him terribly every time I wavered when he was so sure that he wanted me.
I wasn’t proud of it. I just hoped that he would forgive me and we could really start fresh.
Honestly, we needed to take things slow.
Actually date like we didn’t know each other, because we didn’t.
Part of me wanted to just be with him and figure out the rest later, but we needed to give it the best chance possible. Jumping in again could have us right back where we ended, even though I was working through the things that’d made me push him away.
This time? I wanted to woo him.
Once I was sure that he was open to us talking again, I had a full plan I was going to put into action.
But first…I had to survive the wracking stress of watching him streak across the ice, colliding into men that were his size and larger, and praying that nothing happened.
The whole game, I don’t think I relaxed once!
Faith was completely into it, yelling and cheering and shouting insults at the other team.
Oh my god, and the fights! I thought the referees would jump in, but the guy sitting next to me who kept laughing at my distress politely informed me that they only stepped in once a player hit the ice.
As long as the two were both standing, it was fair game.
I couldn’t believe there were actually rules on these types of things.
There were parts I enjoyed though. Greyson made 2 goals, and I might’ve gotten a little too loud cheering from him. The goal buzzer thingy was very cool, too. Who knew each team had their own goal sounds? I didn’t. Not until the moment it’d startled me that is.
Aside from my stress…it was really fun to see him playing.
It was one thing to watch clips and read about how he played…but seeing it? It just made him even more attractive. Seeing him with that type of power and control on the ice, the dedication and the way that he seemed to always be there to assist a teammate – it said a lot about the type of man he was.
A man that I’d been blind to accepting because of my own insecurities.
But now, I was ready. I just hoped that nothing else got in my way now that I was out of it.
Greyson’s team won in overtime, and Faith went home since I told her I was meeting him after the game. I hadn’t told her everything about what happened, but it was between Greyson and I. She hadn’t pried, only asked how my first visit home in so long went. I told her the bare details, but I wanted to tell Greyson everything first.
I felt like I owed it to him since I’d put him through so much hell.
He was the one I was most eager to share with, because it represented a turning point. It scared me shitless to reveal something so personal, and what would he think of my family? Of me?
But it scared me more to just let him go.
“Hey, are you waiting for someone too?” I turn around, seeing a blonde with long curls and a jersey with number 16 on it.
Oh cool, Greyson’s number.
“Yeah, I am. You? I’m Daya,” I offer my hand and she shakes it with a smile, introducing herself as Jasmine.
“I’m surprising someone actually. I’m a sports reporter. Football, not hockey.”
“I know next to nothing about sports.”
Or small talk.
“Ah, so it must be a guy bringing you to a hockey game then. Hot date?”
“Hopefully.” I can’t help but smile.
“I’m hoping for one, myself. You have to see this guy, and you’ll completely understand what I mean. He’s absolutely delicious. Killer blue eyes, a great body, and not one ounce of asshole in him like other athletes.”
“I know the feeling.” I stop myself from gushing about Greyson the same way. “It seems like you know this guy, why aren’t you wearing his number?”
She looks at me like I asked a completely ridiculous question. Had I?
“I am, silly,” she smiles and turns as we hear voices coming down the corridor. She doesn’t see my polite smile drop when I realize we’re waiting on the same guy.
Why hadn’t he mentioned he was seeing anyone?
Fight or flight?
Unfortunately, I didn’t decide quickly enough.
I want to melt into the floor when I realize Greyson is one of the ten or so guys coming towards us. It’s too late to run, so apparently I’ll have to endure my embarrassment in front of a few hot guys and the woman that’s dating the man I want for myself.
Fun? I think not.
“Hey guys,” Jasmine high fives some of the guys and makes small talk as I try to edge back towards the exit. I’m not exactly huge and Greyson is nearer to the back of the guys so he hadn’t seen me, even though I’d seen him. Maybe there’s still time to go. I turn on my heel, ready to sprint if I need to, but my new friend’s voice stops me cold.
“Daya, you’re leaving already?”
And her voice is loud. Fuckkkkkkk.
“Daya?” of course, that’s Greyson.
“Greyson.” I’m too nervous to even smile. The mix of horror, excitement, and disappointment has me thinking all sorts of things.
Why the hell was he so attractive?
His hair is all messy and freshly washed, his phenomenal scent is rolling off him in waves and I want to drift closer to soak it all in. I know what’s under those clothes. I know what those hands can do and how gentle his mouth can be.
Jasmine might know too.
Gag.
“You were going to leave without seeing me?” there’s that cute frown on his face.
“Well, I’ve seen you now. And Jasmine’s waiting for you too, I don’t want to intrude.” I make a move to go around him, because the Exit sign is that way, but he grabs my arm.
“I thought we were starting fresh, Daya. That means you give me a chance before you assume things, right?” He steps close and I close my eyes, his smell just completely surrounds me. It’s overwhelming after not being around him.
He has a point, but I don’t see this situation ending well.
“I mean…I guess so. But—,” he shakes his head, stopping me.
“No buts. I’ll handle it. Hold on.”
I lean against the wall as he walks over to her, and she excuses herself from the huge guy she’s talking to in order to throw her arms around Greyson.
Oh yeah, he was handling things.
Cool it, tiger.
I take a deep breath and watch as he gently extricates himself, and talks a bit. Then she says a few things, glancing at me. Then he says something, shaking his head. Then she says something else, and she crosses her arms.
Not good.
He rakes a hand through his hair in a classic sign of Greyson frustration, and she jabs a finger towards him then spears me with a glare.
Hey sister, I had no idea about any of this.
Finally, he says something, probably apologizing and she looks at the ceiling and I can see her mouth form “Fuck it,” before she walks away without a second glance.
Greyson turns and sees me watching, giving me a cheesy thumbs up and a wink.
What a goof.
But if I could win him over…he’d be my goof and mine only.
33
Greyson
What a potential fucking disaster.
One, I felt like a huge asshole.
Jasmine told me as much. And I deserved it.
I’d forgotten about texting her. After Alex and Tasha’s little pep talk and Daya calling, I just didn’t give her a second thought. Especially with the games going on.
I should’ve known she wouldn’t wait around for me to contact her again before making her own moves. I couldn’t fault her for showing up, I’d dropped the ball.
But now that it was handled, I could find out w
hat Daya wanted to talk about.
“There was some miscommunication on my part, but it’s sorted out. I would ask if you want to go to dinner, but the last time was kind of disastrous.”
She snickers, and I take the time to study her.
She seems different, but the same. Her dark hair is straight instead of curly, with dark caramel colored highlights and some shades of brown that compliment her skin. It’s a nice look for her. I already thought she was beautiful. The lips I know so well are bare and soft looking, like normal.
But there’s a sparkle in her eyes now that wasn’t there before.
I don’t know how I missed it before, but she seems happier.
I hope it has more to do with what she wants to tell me than us not being around each other.
“Actually, I took care of things. I thought we could uh…have a little picnic? I found this cozy little place, but if you don’t want to be outside, I completely understand. I could just pick somewhere else, it’s no problem because I rea—,” she’s rambling and it’s such a new thing from her that I can’t help but laugh.
“Hey, speedy, let me get a word in,” I lift my bag over my shoulder and gesture for her to lead the way. “Whatever you have planned is fine with me.”
She ducks her head and takes a breath, and for the first time, I really feel like I’m not the only one who wants this to work.
“Okay. Great. Uh, I borrowed your spare car keys that Faith has and I put the things in your car already. I hope that wasn’t presumptuous? Sorry if I violated your privacy or anything.” She doesn’t look at me as we walk towards the deck and I’m still trying to figure out who this new woman is.
“I don’t mind at all.” I throw my shit into the back but pause before I open her door. “Stop overthinking, okay? Let’s just take things slow.” She nods, and I help her into the cab then go around to my side. “Just tell me where I need to go.”
She gives me the directions and I plug it into my gps, turning on some music for the ride. I don’t want her to feel any more nervous about conversation than she already seems. I already felt comfortable around her again, because I sensed that this Daya was a different one than the one that basically told me to go fuck myself. Maybe I was just being stupid and too easy, though.