I feelhis fingers tighten in mine as the door opens and we step outside onto a red carpet leading us to the entrance of the building. I knew these events he does once a year to raise money for the foundation had gained recognition, but I didn’t realize just how big they’d become.
As soon as the press sees Knox, it’s like moths to a flame as cameras start flashing in all directions behind their designated area. Even fans are mixed into the crowd as they excitedly yell his name to get his attention.
“Stay close to me, sunshine,” he says quietly under his breath as one of the event coordinators leads us toward an assigned area for pictures.
His arm goes around my lower back, keeping me locked to him at all times as we pose for a few shots.
“Who’s with you tonight, Stone?” One of the reporters asks from the crowd.
“My girlfriend,” he says without hesitation, and I smile up at him. His eyes hold a devilish look right before he leans down and kisses me right in front of everyone. I feel the camera flashes go off behind my closed eyes, but I easily tune them out as Knox’s lips make everything around us disappear.
“Now we’re officially over the last hurdle,” he breathes against me. “The whole world will soon know you’re mine.”
“That’s why you kissed me,” I murmur, putting the pieces together.
“I didn’t want there to be any doubt,” he grins.
“Do we get a name?” Another one shouts out from behind his camera, pulling me out of my daze.
“You’re a reporter, I’m sure you can figure it out,” Knox says, grinning at the guy and causing a few chuckles in the crowd.
We stand for a few more candids before my family joins us for a group photo. Once the publicists are satisfied, they usher us to a few reporters who were selected for the interviews. Knox answers a few questions about the foundation and the cause, always keeping me close to his side as he’s speaking.
I know he doesn’t enjoy being in the spotlight, but damn does he look good in one. It’s hard for me not to admire the man beside me as he talks to the news outlets.
When he’s finally done, we head inside and make our way to the ballroom.
“Wow,” I whisper, stepping inside the vast room all decked out with grand chandeliers and several tables showcasing beautiful flower centerpieces.
“This place is gorgeous,” Lyla says in awe, admiring the white roses that are filling the air with their sweet scent.
“Starting at two grand a plate, it should be,” Knox chuckles.
“A plate?” Eve asks, shocked. “There must be around four hundred people here.”
“Four hundred and fifty to be exact,” Knox smiles. “We sold out with this one. A lot of kids are going to be happy this year.”
As my family heads to the bar, I turn and wrap my arms around his neck. “You’re pretty amazing, you know that.” I smile up at him as his hands run along my bare back.
“I’m just doing my part,” he shrugs. “It filled a void in me to work with these kids during the summer. I’m thinking of expanding The Grace Foundation and adding another cause to it,” he says quietly. He’s deep in thought as his eyes scan the room.
“What cause?”
He focuses back on me, his blue eyes lost in the past, as I watch some of the pain resurface briefly. “McCormick and I got to talking one day, and it seems like he and I have a lot more in common than I thought,” he chuckles sadly. “He grew up in a group home and was in the foster system for a while. Hockey was a good outlet for that anger, just like it was for me. Before we were teammates, I guess we both liked to use each other as a punching bag. In a fucked-up way, we knew the other could take it…enjoy it even. We both were just trying to outskate our demons. Pain recognizes pain, I guess.”
“Knox…” Every time he talks about his past, my heart breaks all over again. All I want to do is hug the little boy inside of him who never felt love like I did growing up.
Smiling sadly, he brushes his thumb against my cheek. “No more tears for me, sunshine,” he says softly as I fight to hold them in. “It’s in the past, and I’m here with you now. That’s what matters.”
I nod slightly and do my best to blink them away before they fall.
“For a lot of kids, though, they are still living the hell that McCormick and I went through. We’ve been talking about using the foundation to set up more private group homes thatspecialize in abused and neglected children, whether it’s from their own homes or in foster care. They would get access to better therapy and also athletic programs that would otherwise cost too much. If kids have a safe person to talk to and can find a passion that lights them up, then the world doesn’t seem so dark anymore. It gives them a reason to keep fighting.”
“I think that’s a really wonderful idea,” I say softly, feeling my love for this man grow even more—something I didn’t think was possible. “You know… When I went through what I did, our family dog got me through some tough times. I told him all my secrets and fears. Just lying in bed with him at night made the nightmares more bearable. Maybe I could help in some way? Find a support animal for the homes you fund?”
“I love that idea,” he smiles. “I also really love the idea of you being part of all of this,” he says, looking around at all the people who came out tonight to support his cause.
“I like being part of it too,” I beam.
