Page 94 of Grumpy Darling

Before he could answer, more voices sounded at the front of the house. Reed and Parker had arrived home.

“I’ll figure something out,” Grayson said as he started scrubbing the kitchen floor. “Just leave it to me.”

I was in a nightmare. Grayson wanted me to go on this date with Damien, and he was even willing to help me prepare for it. At least that probably meant he hadn’t picked up on my secret feelings, but it also meant I couldn’t backtrack, because Gray would suspect something was up. I’d panicked, worked myself into a corner, and now I hadtwodates to worry about.

And I knew which one was making me more nervous. It might only be for practice, but the way I was feeling right now, I feared one date with Grayson might ruin me for all other guys forever.

Chapter 23

Grayson

“Damien and Paige look pretty friendly.”

Matt was sitting in his usual seat beside me in math, and the two of us were both watching as Damien talked to Paige just outside the door. I didn’t like how closely he was leaning into her. And I flat-out despised the way she laughed at something he said. More than anything, I hated that they were going on a date.

My coaching must have worked, because Paige seemed confident and at ease as she spoke to him. The girl who was so nervous she spilled a drink on herself the last time she was in this situation was nowhere to be seen. I should have been proud of her, but instead I was miserable.

“What do you think they’re talking about?” Matt continued.

“No idea.”

“Maybe he’s asking if she wants a ride on his Zamboni?”

My pencil snapped between my fingers, and I quickly tucked the broken pieces away before anyone could notice. But Matt spluttered a laugh. “It was a joke, dude. You need to work on those anger issues.”

I didn’t have anger issues. I had Paige issues. But I did my best to ignore his comment.

“Stone seems like a good addition to the team, don’t you think?”

Was Matt still talking? As if this moment could get any worse. I was already on edge, sitting here completely helpless as I watched another guy flirt with my girl.

“I can see why there are so many scouts after him.” Despite the fact I wasn’t acknowledging a thing Matt was saying, he didn’t seem to be getting the hint. Couldn’t he see this was the last thing I wanted to talk about? I was far too busy wishing my eyes were capable of shooting lasers.

Matt started to chuckle. “Don’t worry, Grayson. You and Reed are still our top players. You guys already have the future of college hockey locked down. At least, you will after you sign on Saturday, right?”

Signing day. Coach Mercer coming to our game. The continuous throbbing pain in my knee. Just more things I didn’t want to talk or think about.

I turned to Matt, hoping if I gave him some kind of response he’d leave me alone. “Yeah, right.”

My short reply had the desired effect, and he gave me a firm pat on the shoulder before he went to open his textbook.

Paige had finally stopped talking with Damien and was making her way toward us. She looked beautiful this morning, and the way she was smiling pierced the heavy clouds surrounding my heart. There was nothing I loved more than seeing her happy.

But then I remembered she was smiling because of Damien. He was still loitering by the door, smirking as he watched her walk toward me. The purring in my heart turned to a hiss and, once again, I speculated whether it was possible I might secretly be Superman, with heat vision strong enough to eviscerate a self-obsessed hockey player in one shot.

When Paige got closer, our eyes met, but she immediately looked away. Was she embarrassed about something? Maybe the fact I’d seen her swooning over Damien? She quickened her pace in a rush to get to the desk at my side, but she tripped on one of the table legs and stumbled as she walked past me.

“Are you all right?” I reached out to her, but she steadied herself and dodged my outstretched hand before I could help.

“I’m fine,” she squeaked as she lowered herself into the seat beside me.

“You sure?” I wasn’t only concerned about her tripping over the table. She had been acting distant ever since we coated the kitchen in flour the other day.

“She said she’s fine, Gray,” Matt chimed in. “You’re the one we should be worried about.” He glanced at Paige. “He’s in a mood. I think he’s hungry.”

“I’m not hungry.”

But Matt raised an eyebrow. “Dude, you’re scowling around the room like a starved animal.”

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