Page 39 of The Breaking Point

“Uh. Thank you?”

She looked embarrassed. “I mean, that’s not a criticism. Just, you’re a famous hockey player. What are you doing living in a tiny apartment?”

She got up and began looking around. My apartment was just a one-bedroom, one-bathroom place. It was old, but it wasn’t a dump, at least. The landlord was local and maintained the property.

It also helped that most of my neighbors were older, so they didn’t know who I was. Most people on my street didn’t know I played for the Blades. The anonymity was nice.

“I don’t need a huge place,” I said when Grace returned. I shrugged. “I’m never home, anyway.”

“It still makes no sense.”

I grimaced. I didn’t want to tell her the real reason was that I didn’t feel like I deserved any better.

I was just some foster kid from the wrong side of the tracks. My mom was a drunk, and my dad was in jail. Who did I think I was, living in a mansion?

“I don’t deserve better than this,” I said finally.

Grace’s eyes widened. “What? What are you saying?”

God, I was still too drunk. I went to the fridge and returned with some sports drinks. I downed one while Grace just stared at hers.

“Thanks for driving me,” I said. I cleared my throat. “You don’t have to stay.”

Hurt flashed across her face. Guilt punched me in the gut. I was fucking everything up.

“Why were you drinking tonight?” she asked.

“My mom is dying.”

“Oh, Brady. I’m so sorry.”

She touched my arm, and it felt like a brand against my skin. I wanted to shrug off her touch while, at the same time, I wanted to pull her closer.

“She won’t stop drinking, and her liver is failing.” I shrugged. “And spare me the lecture on me drinking, by the way.”

Grace held up her hands. “Considering you just had to drive me home recently, I can’t judge.”

“You’re not the judgmental type, are you? It’s something I’ve always admired about you.”

A blush bloomed in her cheeks. It was adorable. I wondered whether the rest of her turned red when she blushed. But I had to push that thought aside or I was going to drive myself insane.

“Thank you,” she whispered. She was twisting the cap to the sports drink on and off.

A breeze blew through the open window, making a wind chime sing. Grace turned.

“Is that the chime I gave you?” she said. She got up, setting the drink down. She laughed when she touched the chime. “I got this for you forever ago. I can’t believe you still have it.”

I remembered exactly when she’d gotten me that. It’d been my first birthday at her parents’ place, and she’d told me that the chime would bring me good luck. Ben had teased her about it. Grace had gotten so embarrassed that she’d run up to her room to hide.

Their mom had been pissed at Ben, and he’d gotten chewed out. As for me, I hadn’t said anything. I’d been too stunned that this girl had cared enough to get me a gift like that to begin with.

“You gave it to me,” I said as if that explained everything.

Grace smiled. “I thought you hated it. I never saw you hang it up, so I thought you’d thrown it out.”

“I never would’ve thrown it away.”

Grace raised her eyebrows at my intense tone.

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