Page 75 of Grumpy Darling

Paige

“What would you do if you couldn’t play hockey?” I was lying on the floor in Grayson’s room finishing my math homework. My mom had left a string of text messages reminding me to work on my college applications, and I was doing my best to avoid thinking about them. I was also trying not to think about the fact that my heart was still fluttering after my shopping trip with Grayson today.

It was hard enough trying to solve math equations on a normal night. But it was impossible when I kept remembering the way he had slowly traced his fingers up my back as he zipped up my dress. My breath had stalled, and my skin had kept tingling even after he’d stopped touching me. But what happened next was even more unforgettable: He’d said I was going to make him forget I was just his friend. Was that just his way of complimenting me, or was it something more? Maybe Bonnie was right about this coaching situation being risky, and I wasn’t the only one who was letting it go to their head.

The fact that Grayson had just showered and all I could smell was the heady scent of his body wash also wasn’t helping. He was at his desk on the other side of the room, yet the smell of him was intoxicating. I was starting to think that the sooner Grayson’s role as my coach came to an end, and I ticked this first kiss off my list, the better. My lips were so starved, I was beginning to look at my best friend like he was a piece of meat.

“Not sure,” he replied, leaning back in his chair. “Hockey’s kind of it for me.”

Reed had his cars, and Parker was the kind of person who would fall on his feet no matter what he did. But Grayson wasn’t like his brothers. When he focused his attention on something, he was all in, leaving no room for anything else. I wondered if he’d act the same way if he ever fell in love with a girl, but I quickly shoved that thought aside.

“What if you got injured again?”

He was rubbing his bad knee, but moved his hand away as soon as I mentioned it. “Let’s just hope that doesn’t happen.”

“Yeah,” I murmured. His dad hadn’t been so lucky, and I knew just how easily the same thing could happen to Gray. I could hardly blame him for not having a Plan B for life though. I didn’t even have a Plan A.

“How about you?” Gray asked. “What would you do if you couldn’t cook?”

I burst out laughing, and he flashed me a smile.

“I don’t know. The world just wouldn’t be the same without my killer muffins, would it?” I said as seriously as I could manage. I sighed and rolled onto my back to stare at the ceiling. “I wish I loved something as much as you love hockey.”

I heard movement and noticed the warmth of Gray’s body as he came to lie on the floor beside me. This wasn’t going to help with the whole ignoring the smell of him thing.

“You’ll find your passion,” he said quietly. “And while you may not play hockey, no one cusses out the opposition like you. I think you might love the game just as much as I do.”

“Well, I learned all my best insults from your mom.”

Gray chuckled under his breath. The sound was so soothing, I wished he’d laugh more often. It was going to be hard to return home after spending all this time together. Was it bad that I hoped my mom got so caught up with work she had to extend her trip? It wouldn’t be surprising if she did.

“Seriously though. You’re seventeen. It’s okay if you don’t have everything figured out. You’ve got your whole life for that.”

“Tell that to my mom.”

“Parents don’t always know everything,” he said. “Besides, I’m sure you’re destined for something amazing.”

“I’m not so sure,” I murmured.

“I am. The care and effort you put into completing everything on your bucket list shows the kind of dedication and passion you’re capable of. You don’t half-ass anything in life. Once you find your thing, you’ll be unstoppable.”

I rolled onto my side and peered up at him. “Do you really think that?”

“I don’t think, I know.”

He was lying so close to me and looking at me with certainty and admiration, like I was already an unstoppable force. I swallowed a heavy lump in my throat, wishing I could believe in myself as much as he believed in me, and wondering how I could be so lucky to have someone like Grayson in my life. I honestly wasn’t sure I deserved him.

“I should probably get to bed,” I said, pushing up off the floor.

He sat up. “Already? It’s not even nine.”

“It’s been a long day.” I wasn’t tired. Not in the least. But I wasn’t sure I could stay here while Gray kept looking at me like I was something special. Not if I didn’t want to get any more confused about the way I was feeling right now. My head was a little dizzy under his gaze, and my heart was beating faster and faster. I was tempted to lean closer, so I was surrounded in his fresh scent. I wondered if he tasted as good as he—

Yep, I needed to go to bed asap.

“Good night, Grayson.”

“Night, Pidge.”

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