Walking into Gret’s sprawling apartment was surreal.
How did my life shift so far on its axis?
“The spare room is just down the hall,” Gret explained as he threw his keys in a crystal bowl on the credenza.
I took a few steps into the living room. It was a total man’s place—dark wood and leather furniture, black and white art work, bigger-than-necessary TV taking up most of the far wall.
“Thank you,” I muttered, throwing my duffle bag onto the couch to finally see what Lee had packed for me. Sifting through the contents, all I could find was three shirts, one pair of sneakers, a few pairs of yoga pants, one pair of jeans, a toothbrush, deodorant, and one bra. No panties. None of my makeup. Nothing good enough to handle the New York winter that we were knee deep in.
“Fucking asshole!” I yelled while zipping up the bag.
“Here,” Gret handed me a glass of wine along with a shirt and basketball shorts. “Figured this might help a bit.
“Why are you being so nice to me? We’re strangers.”
Sinking down on the couch next to me, Gret threw the bag onto the floor. “It’s not like I think that you are a damsel in distress or anything. I just saw someone in a bad spot and I have the ability to help. So, why not be a decent human?”
Uncontrollable sobs started to gush as I sat there staring at my knight in shining armor. “I don’t know how to thank you.”
Putting a soft and on my forearm, Gret’s face twisted into pity. “Do you have any family or friends close by?”
I shook my head and started to sniffle even harder.
“Do you have plans for the holidays?” His question took me aback. Christmas was days away with New Year’s trailing right behind. Lee and I were going to spend them like we usually did—alone with him working most of it.
That’s when I completely lost it. “How did I get to this pathetic point where my life revolved around a man?”
“I’ll take that as a no, then.” Gret tried to chuckle a little but there was no way to lighten the black cloud of a mood that I had landed us in.
I pulled his shirt over my dress and wrapped myself in the throw blanket he had given me. “I should probably figure out what the hell to do next. I need a place and a better job. Fuck. I can’t afford anything in this damn city. I’m going to be another failed musician cliché, running back home to live with mommy on her couch.”
“You don’t have to figure your life out in one night. Stay here for a while. I’m gone all of the time between practice and away games.” Gret motioned around his home. “I have way too much space for just one person, anyway.”
“What’s in it for you?” I couldn’t help shake the feeling that there’s no such thing as a free lunch.
Gret shrugged, “It’s Christmas and no one should be alone throughout the most magical time of the year.”
“Next you’re going to tell me that you save puppies from gutters and volunteer to cuddle babies in your spare time. No one is that much of a saint.”
“Actually, I don’t save puppies—or at least I haven’t yet. I totally would if the situation presented itself. But I do volunteer to cuddle sick babies and dish food out at a soup kitchen not too far from here when I have the time. A bunch of the guys on my team have started to do it with me.”
“Where did you come from and how the hell aren’t you wifed up already?” I was in shock. Gret was too good of a human being. Like all the gentlemen on the planet should take a page out of the Gretzky Hayes handbook and step up their game.
Filling up our glasses of Zinfandel, Gret glanced over at me. “I was raised right, I guess. And the whole relationship thing isn’t the easiest when I am on the road so damn much.”
“Well, at least you don’t drag some poor girl all over the damn place and then break her heart when life is just about to get good.”
“That’s exactly what I have been trying to avoid. Besides, puck bunnies aren’t usually marriage material. At least not the kind of wife that I would want to have. My mom set that bar pretty high.” Gret started laughing. “That was so damn stereotypical. Momma’s boy trying to find someone just like her.”
“I think it’s sweet,” I admitted. His candor was refreshing. “She sounds like a wonderful lady.”
Pursing his lips, Gret stared off for a second. “I have a Christmas party to go to tomorrow night. I’m supposed to bring a date. Mom kind of requires that we all do. I obviously don’t have anyone to take. Would you go with me?”
I took in a sharp breath.There’s the catch.
“Sure,” I finally spit out. “It’s the least I can do for everything that you have done for me.”
“You already have the dress.” Gret’s voice was lined with excitement as his stormy eyes locked with mine.
