Page 191 of Finding the Forward: Part One
“While I’d love to do that, we should wait at least until you get the pack contract.” I kissed him again, resignation in my voice. I wanted to be practical, but if it was hurting him by waiting, I’d figure something out.
As long as everyone else was onboard.
Grif's head popped up, eyes wide as his scent grew bitter. “You don’t want to bite me?”
“Of course I do. I’m so excited at the thought,” I soothed, planting another kiss on that spot on his neck. My belly twisted.
He scooted away from me, a hurt sound coming from his lips. “Why wait? Do you not want me?”
This feltoff.His expression–and that sound he made–broke my heart.
“Of course I want you. I want you so much. Grif, I love you. I want to bond with you and be your mate. One day, I’ll have your babies and grow old with you. Just not today. Soon. If you don’t want to wait until summer, I’ll talk to everyone and we’ll work something out.” It would take some creative logistics, but we could make it happen.
“I see. I… I need to get back to the team.” He stood quickly, voice cold.
Too quickly.
“Grif. Wait.”Something’s wrong.
“It’s fine.” Grif’s words turned curt as he walked down the row toward the bleacher stairs.
“No, really, what happened? I’m sorry. Wait.” I stood, struggling for my crutch as he left. “Grif, wait, please.”
I went as fast as I could, but he didn’t stop.
What happened? One minute we were making out, the next moment he was leaving like I’d done something wrong.
My crutch slipped. Before I could catch myself, I slid downward, taking a tumble down the metal stairs.Thump, thump, thump.
The wind whooshed out of me, my crutch clattering to the ground.Ow.
Pain shot through my ass. I laid there, trying to catch my breath. Embarrassment warmed my face because that was quite the graceful moment there.
“Grif?” My voice came out soft. I didn’t see him. I called again. “Grif.”
Because I wasn’t sure I could get up on my own.
At any moment, I expected to hear his voice. To feel his hand take mine as he eased me up.
“Fuck, fuck, fuck. Verity, are you okay?” someone called from the ice. “Coach, we need you.”
Everything swam as I tried to get my bearings.
“I’m fine. I just slipped. It’s fine.” Yeah, I wasn’t hurt. Just mortified. I struggled to sit up on my own and looked around. Where was Grif?
Sure, he’d taken off, but I’d expected him to come back when he heard me clatter down the stairs. Or at least check on me when I called.
My eyes swept the stands for him as my throat swelled.
Grif was gone.
Chapter Fifty-Six
Verity
My body ached as I made my way toward the metro station. Everyone had fussed over me. By the time I’d shooed them off, the Knights were in practice, and I didn’t have time to wait. There was too much to do in the lab before being gone for a week and a half.
I sent Grif a text knowing he wouldn’t answer until after practice.
