Emma
Storm incoming.
~ Two Days Later ~
“Ladies, your chauffeur has arrived,” Grey calls from the entrance as we collect our phones and purses from the kitchen island. The guys have arranged a shopping day of heels and gowns for the team’s fundraiser gala this weekend in support of a charity for sick children.
It will be a full day of giving, starting with a fun event with some of the sick kids and their families in a huge hall the teamrented out. There will be activities for all, with the whole team getting involved. Face painting, arts and crafts stations, eating contests, board games, some more physical games for the kids that can participate, and much, much more.
Then later that night, there’ll be a gala for the donors with a live auction where the players are up for bid, and each female guest will be appointed one of the sick children. If we win the bidding, we’ll get a friendly dinner date with the player, and the kid we were representing will get to spend the day with that player, doing anything of their choosing.
I’m already prepared to spend a lot of money on Greyson. There’s no way I’m letting any other female near him, certainly not over dinner. Friendly or not.I’m a jealous bitch, what can I say?
I walk over to Grey first, passing Daisy while waiting for the rest of the girls. “Take care of our babies while I’m gone.”
He pulls me in by the waist. “Always.” He kisses my forehead once, then rests his against mine with his eyes closed. “Buy something sexy. I want everyone to see how lucky I am to call you mine.”
“I’ll buy the sexiest dress I can find, then I’ll know your eyes will be solely on me all night,” I say, smiling.
“My eyes are always on you, Emma. Only you,” he whispers back, then pulls away, kissing my cheek.
The girls file past us, saying bye to the men and heading out the door to the waiting luxury van.
“Here.” Grey holds up his credit card. “For whatever you need.”
I frown down at it, just like I do every time he hands it to me.
“Just take it, Em. You’re my date. It’s my job to pay for your dress.”
I roll my eyes and snatch the card, placing it inside my purse, knowing full well I won’t be using it. Every time he gives mehis card, whether it’s for groceries or shopping, I never use it, even if it’s something for Gracie or the house.I have more than enough money with multiple trust funds, inheritances, and investments. Might as well use my own.
“Mama, Mama, Mama,”Gracie chants from behind me as she slowly sidesteps against the wall, heading in my direction.
I take the few steps left between us and lift her into my arms, dropping a big wet kiss to her cheek and neck, making her squeal with joy. “My beautiful Little Tulip. Mommy will be right back, okay?”
My eyes go round as I realize what I just said. Having her call me Mama all the time now makes it hard for me not to respond the same way. When I look at Greyson, all he does is give me that smirk and wink.
I turn back to Gracie, ignoring him. “Be good with Daddy and your uncles.” I lean into her ear, pretending to tell her a secret. “But mostly be good to your future boyfriend, and make sure he treats you right. If he doesn’t, just tell your uncle Sy, he’ll deal with him.”
When I turn my gaze to Grey, he looks quite displeased with my comment and in total disapproval. Which makes the biggest grin spread along my lips.
“Don’t be putting thoughts in her head. I decide who she can and can’t date.”
My smile instantly dims at his words.Again, making it clear who has the real authority when it comes to Gracie.I clear my throat and pass him Gracie in his free arm, kissing her cheek once more, then Daisy’s snout. “Bye, my little flowers.” I turn and head for the door.
“No, Emma. Wait. I didn’t mean it like that. I’m sorry if it came out wrong. I just meant—”
“It’s fine, Grey. I gotta go, the girls are waiting,” I cut him off, even if I feel anything but fine in this moment.
It’s gotten to the point where I analyze everything he says, looking for double meanings in each word, wondering which ones are true and which ones aren’t.I hate this. I hate thinking this way and doubting everything.
It’s why when he calls my name, asking me to wait again, and says,“I love you, Bunny,”all I can do is muster a small smile before turning and entering the car.
That little voice in my head rears its ugly face, telling me I can’t trust him, telling me that he’ll do it again. That every time he’ll get mad at me, every time I’ll make a mistake, he’ll remind me where I stand, where my place really is.
It took us a little over three hours to find everything we needed for the gala. Which is pretty good when it includes five girls, five dresses, and five sets of heels.
Morgan went with a sleeveless blush-pink sheath dress that’s ruched at the waist and hip on one side, with a small train and a thigh-high slit. Cecilia chose a sexy burgundy strapless mermaid dress, with a split down the center starting midway up her thigh.
