Page 124 of Grumpy Darling

I was speechless. He still wanted me. My dream was still alive.

“You rest up,” Mercer continued. “Get that knee looked at and then focus on your recovery. In the meantime, we’ll set a new date for the signing. How about next week, if you’re feeling better?”

“I’ll wait until then too,” Reed said from beside my bed before I could answer. “I’m not doing it without Grayson.”

“Fair enough.” Coach Mercer nodded at my brother and then at me, a warm smile on his face. “We’ll leave you to rest, and I’ll be in touch soon.”

Both coaches said their farewells and left, and the nurse who’d clearly been itching to assert her dominance took the opportunity to wave the rest of the team from the room. “Now, all of you, out! The boy needs to rest.”

The guys muttered complaints but started making their way to the door. As they passed by, most of them tapped on the foot of the bed, winked at me, or told me to get better soon. My parents, Cammie, and my brothers hung back.

“You didn’t have to postpone your signing,” I said, turning to Reed.

He instantly waved away my concern. “Ryker can wait. I’m not taking this next step in life without you, Gray.”

I nodded, my emotions threatening to break through my stony exterior.

“I’m sorry I didn’t say anything about my knee.” I turned to the rest of my family. “I should have gotten it looked at sooner.”

“We’re just glad you’re okay,” my mom said.

“Yeah,” my dad agreed, stepping forward to grip my shoulder. “And it took guts to tell Coach Mercer about it on signing day. We’re really proud of you.”

“Thanks, Dad.”

“Can’t say we weren’t worried for a second there though,” Reed added.

“I wasn’t worried,” Parker insisted.

“Don’t lie, you were more worried than anyone,” Cammie said with a laugh, although she brushed a finger across her cheek as she did. Was that a tear? Surely not.

“Okay, everyone,” my mom said. “Let’s leave Grayson to get some rest.”

They started from the room, and Paige went to jump off the side of the bed to follow, but I grabbed hold of her arm.

“Whoa, whoa, whoa. Where do you think you’re going?”

“The nurse said you need to rest.” She pointed over her shoulder to where everyone else was walking through the door and disappearing into the hallway.

“I’ll rest from them. But not from you. Never from you.”

I lifted my arm as Paige came back to the bed and lay down next to me, snuggling in close.

As I held her, she smiled up at me. “I told you Ryker would still want you.”

“Yeah, I should’ve known better than to doubt your psychic skills.”

“It’s hardly psychic when it was clear the coach would be an idiot to let you go.” But then her lips tilted in a smile. “Or maybe you’re right. Perhaps my career path lies in psychic readings. I should add that to the list.”

Not another thing on her list.

She let out a playful laugh and shook her head. “You should see your face. The list is in the trash, Gray. I tore it up.”

“What? Why?”

“It was all about searching for something that someone else wanted me to find. And I finally told my mom I’m going to figure out my own way in life.”

“You did?”

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