Jules:I want you to but I’m kind of scared that he will pop over.
Me:Then I’m coming right now, babe. I need to hold you tonight, okay?
Jules:Ok.
Chapter Forty-three: Jules- present
I was waiting in my living room for Grey in my pjs of choice: an old t-shirt of Grey’s that was so big on me it acted as a nightgown.
I heard the front door start to move and I immediately tensed up. I knew it was Grey. But I was still terrified it would be Kevin, and I unwillingly held my breath.
As soon as I could tell it was Grey’s body, I felt myself relax and walk into my foyer.
“Hi, babe,” Grey said with a smile over his shoulder as he locked the door.
He started toward me then and went to reach for my hair, and I tensed. I could tell he sensed it and he paused.
I looked up into eyes filled with understanding.
The image of him blurred from the tears forming in my eyes.
In an instant he folded himself around me in an all-encompassing hug.
“Shh,” Grey said, rubbing my back. I was trembling out of control, and I let myself fall into him and accept the only true comfort I had craved for so long. “That shits over Jules. I’m never leaving.”
Chapter Forty-four: Jules - present
He said the words he was never leaving, but I knew that couldn’t be true. I was stupid to text him. But I wanted this one last night with him. To feel cherished by him one more time. To be selfish. To feel open and weak and vulnerable all at the same time for one last night.
In bed, my legs parted for him naturally. He eased his way between as he came over top of me. He stared down at me with so many emotions, hunger and need and love.
“Let’s go slow, baby,” he said in a gravelly voice in my ear.
I watched the sunrise through my curtains next to a sleeping Grey. I didn’t want him to know I was awake. I wanted to stay safely nuzzled into him. I wanted his hand that was gently placed on my stomach as he slept to stay.
But these were things I had no business wanting.
Kevin wasn’t going to let this go. He texted last night before Grey arrived, telling me that if Grey and I were together, he would use Grey punching him as a way to take Canyon from me. He said Greyson Scott was dangerous and he would make sure everyone knew. Forget his new coaching position that he loved. He’d drag Greyson through the mud. Kevin would ruin both of us. And Grey didn’t deserve that just for being with me. It wasn’t worth it.
What really hurt was that Kevin didn’t even want Canyon. He would end up sending him away to St. Jude’s to be looked after. I couldn’t bear it. My baby needed me as much as I needed him.
I didn’t want to hurt Grey, but I knew I took from him last night.
I would say goodbye to him this morning and that would be it. Tears stung my eyes as I tried to remind myself that I didn’t want this morning to be ruined and I didn’t want Grey to know I was saying goodbye to him.
Chapter Forty-five: Grey- present
Jules had been very subdued when we said goodbye this morning, but I didn’t want to pressure her into sharing what she was feeling. She was going through a lot and she didn’t need me adding to it.
I had a jam-packed day. Smitty and I were helping Max organize a tournament at the League this week for the U15’s. My time was split between helping Max organize shit and keeping scouts happy.
I wasn’t a big fan of the schmoozing; it had never been my thing, I just liked playing hockey. But having played in the NHL, I could just stand there and nod and smile here and there and they accepted me. I ended up bragging about my team more often than not, telling them they’ll have some awesome guys to watch out for in a couple of years.
I kept checking my phone all day but hadn’t heard anything from Jules.
I figured the next best was Canyon. I had gifted him an iPhone a couple of weeks ago. Jules was a little iffy about giving it to him, but I assured her it didn’t have internet abilities- it was only to make calls and texts. I thanked God I gave it to him because I wanted him to be able to reach out to me if Kevin ever came around. I told him so much before I had left this morning.
When Jules was getting ready, I snuck off to Canyon’s room.
