“Gray and her mother have a complicated relationship,” Raymond says. “Gray will introduce you when she’s ready, which – if the past is any indication – could be months from now. I just wanted to meet you sooner rather than later given your…unique circumstances.”
“You a hockey fan?” I ask, then immediately regret it. It sounds like I’m accusing him of using Gray’s relationship to meet me.
He smiles. “Football and golf. Never really took to hockey, but if this thing lasts between you and Gray…” He shrugs. “I might have to start watching. You any good?”
That last is definitely a test. He wants to know the size of my ego.
I shrug. “I do alright. I learned the hard way the last couple years that I’m not as bullet-proof as I thought, but I’m working to get back to where I was. Being with Gray has helped.”
He cocks his head. “So sheisworking with you on your trash talk issue?” he asks, although the question sounds more like a confirmation.
“Her research helps, but honestly, just being with her has been good for me.”
I don’t realize until the words are out of my mouth how true they are.Gray hasn’t necessarily helped my hockey game – yet – but being with herhasbeen good for me. I feel more grounded around her.
Raymond stands, and I stand with him.
“I’ve taken up enough of your time,” he says. “Thanks for seeing me.”
“Of course,” I say. “I hope we get to hang out more soon. Once Gray decides she’s comfortable enough to officially introduce us, I mean.”
“Do you golf?” he asks.
I shake my head. “No, sir.”
“Well, as far as I can see, that’s your only flaw,” he says, “but you’ve got a few months to learn how to swing a club.”
“I’ll work on that,” I promise.
We shake hands again.
“I like the hat, by the way,” I say. “Which branch did you serve in?”
“Air Force,” he says. “The hat was a gift from Gray. Did you serve?”
“No, sir,” I say. “But thank you for your service.”
He nods. “I was part of a special unit that got marksman training. My eyesight isn’t what it once was, but with the right rifle, I can still hit my target from about five hundred meters out.”
He smiles at me, and I understand it’s a lighthearted threat.
“So you can easily hit me on the ice from the nosebleeds,” I observe with a smile. “Got it.”
He laughs and claps me on the shoulder. “I’m glad we understand each other.”
“Loud and clear.”
I walk Raymond back down to the guard station, say goodbye, then head for the locker room. Gray and I have now both met each other’s parents, sort of, and that pushes this thing between us closer to being real.
Far from freaking me out, this feels right.
Chapter 24
Ash
I push off onto the ice and take an easy circuit of the rink before I do a few sprints back and forth to wake up my legs.
Gray is supposed to be here today watching practice, and that’s both exciting and terrifying, more so than in the past.
