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.
