Page 134 of What If I See You

I shake my head. “No. Nothing like that. And we did get married. We did, but…”

I can’t believe I have to say this out loud.

“We were both so fucking drunk we only barely remember doing it.” I lock eyes with my parents, neither of whom seem the least bit fazed. “We didn’t mean to get married.” I hang my head in shame, trying to focus on steady breathing.

Mom takes my hand and sits me down, my parents taking the chairs on both sides of me.

“We know, Griffin,” Mom says softly, squeezing my hand.

My head snaps to her. “What?”

“I said we know. We’ve known for a long time.”

“What?” I scowl. “But…how did?—”

“Layken told me last month when you were home with bruised ribs.” She tries to give me a reassuring smile. “She told me everything.”

“I…” I shake my head. “I don’t…she never told me.”

“Do you want to know why she never told you?”

Does this change everything?

She doesn’t love me?

She told my parents our secret.

And then she left me for Miami.

She really is leaving.

“She’s leaving me…is that what she told you?”

Mom chuckles. “Heaven’s no, Griffin. That girl is head over heels in love with you. Don’t you see that?”

“Anyone could see it, Son,” Dad says, sitting back in his chair. “The way she took care of you. The worry on her face when she knew you were in pain.”

“She apologized for withholding the whole truth, Griffin,” Mom explains. “But I didn’t give two shits about that because the two of you are perfect for each other. We knew it the moment we met Layken. We knew it the moment you both walked out our door to head home when you came to visit.”

“The way you look at her, Griffin,” Dad murmurs next to me. “It’s kind of next level.”

“I love her, Dad,” I cry. “I love her so damn much.”

He rubs my back. “I know you do, Son. We can see that too.”

Calming down as we talk about her, I huff a quiet laugh. “She makes me feel things I’ve never felt before. Excitement. Fear. Passion. Fuck, she makes me want to be better. Do better. For her. She has me thinking about life beyond hockey and it…it doesn’t look that bad.”

Dad laughs, patting my knee. “There was definitely a time when you couldn’t see the sky through the trees. Hockey has been your life since you can probably remember so it’s nice to know you’ve got someone on your side who loves you who can show you what life after hockey can be like.”

“Her old boss from the hospital called her and all but offered her a job with her in Miami if she wants it.” I shrug helplessly. “And I didn’t have it in me to ask her not to go to the interview. What if she falls in love with the job and wants to take it?”

“If you love her, you cross that bridge together. Marriage is about give and take. Sacrifice and compromise.”

A few more tears slip from my eyes. “I’m scared. I love her so goddamn much. I don’t want to lose her. I’d do anything for her, but…I love you guys too. And Gagey. I can’t leave you guys.”

“Pshh.” Mom waves me off. “You can and you will, Griffin. That’s what flying the nest is all about. We moved here to Anaheim when you became a Star because Gage was young and we know how close the two of you are. But you’re both older now with your own adult lives. And even if we’re miles apart we’re just a plane ride away. Or who knows. Maybe we’d move again if it’s what Gage and Mallory want.”

“So, he’s really serious about Mallory then, huh?” I ask with sincere curiosity.

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