“I freaked out and dropped it on the floor, ruining everything in it. Then I started apologizing over and over and practically ran away. I didn’t even help him clean up!” she rushes out, grabbing the glass of wine Morgan passes to her, draining half of it in one swallow. “I’ll never be able to face him again!” She brings the glass back to her lips and finishes it completely.
Morgan, still standing by her side, takes the glass back with huge eyes. “I’ll go refill this.”
“I’m sure it wasn’t that bad…” Ronnie says with a pinched expression.
“No, you’re right. It was worse!”
Cecilia giggles. “Oh, come on. I’m sure Shane understands you were just nervous.”
“I’m sure if you hadn’t dropped the plate, he would have done it himself. He’s just as nervous around you, too,” Morg tells her as she finally sits back down after handing out all the wine glasses and a new one to Brey.
“He probably thinks I’m immature now… Ugh! Can we change the subject? I don’t want to think about that anymore. No one has anything better to talk about?” She looks around at all of us, waiting for someone to speak up.
I guess this is a good time to talk about what’s been running through my mind. “Greyson said he loved me.”
All eyes turn to me, excitement running through each of them.
“I told you he did,” Aubrey says with a tender smile.
“He said it while I was asleep. Well, he thought I was asleep.” I look down at my hands, picking at my nails.
“Wait, what?” Ronnie asks with a confused frown.
“Yup. I don’t know what to think about that.”
“Explain it to us,” Cecilia says.
“Well, when we got to our hotel room, we were making out on the bed, and then I was sure he was about to say it. But you called just as he started talking.” I look at Morgan. “Then we went on to have sex and even talked a bit before falling asleep, but he never tried again to say it. That is until he thought I was sleeping.” I shrug like it’s no big deal. But the truth is, it’s been bothering me.
Why would he say it only when I’m unconscious? Has he said it before, and I just didn’t know?
“Maybe he’s just scared to say it? It took Clay a long time to say it. It wasn’t until I found out about his hookup and left him that he finally told me he loved me,” Morgan offers as a valid reason.Maybe…
“He does love you, Em. Trust me, I know my brother. Did you know Grey hadn’t touched a piano in years? Not until you two started dating, and I found him sneaking off to Morgan’s basement to play when no one was watching. Every time he played that same song, I knew it was about you,” Aubrey says quietly with a warm smile.
“She’s right. He might not say the actual words, but he shows it through his actions. And I think that should count as well. We can all feel the love he has for you just in the way he looks at you,” Cece adds, placing her hand on my thigh.
“It’s true. Even I could feel it, and I’m immune to that kind of thing.” Ronnie points a finger at herself.
We’re all giggling just as Grey walks in.
“Hello, ladies,” he says as he strolls over, heading to his daughter first. He picks her up and smooches her cheeks and neck until she’s squealing hysterically.Ugh, my ovaries.“How’s my beautiful princess doing today? Are you talking yet? Can you sayDada? Come on, sayDada,” he tries, but she doesn’t respond, only babbles on in her own little language.
“Is it normal for her to still not be saying anything?” I direct my question to Cece.
“It is. Each kid learns at their own pace. Dante is a fast learner, but that’s him. She’ll say something when she feels ready,” she reassures us.
I know Greyson was starting to question if something was wrong with her since apparently most babies at ten months would have already said mama or dada by now.
“That’s good to know,” Grey says as he places Gracie back on the ground, ruffling Dante’s hair before walking over to me. “Hi, baby.” He leans in, one hand sliding through my hair as he kisses me.
“Mmm, hi. How was practice?” I ask with my eyes closed as I smile against his lips.
I love when he comes home.It always feels like something is missing when he’s not here. And then he gets back, and I finally feel whole again.Greyson is my home.
He pulls back, dropping his hand and standing straight. “It was good, all ready for our game tonight. But I’m exhausted. You mind if I go nap for a bit?”
“Not at all, we’ll keep it down. There’s food in the fridge for you if you’re hungry.”
