Page 184 of Finding the Forward: Part Two
I hit the ice baths and showers, and got dressed.
“Who’s going to Tito’s?” Nia called as she shimmed into her suit, a pretty scarf over her brown twists.
“Lucky and I are.” Carlos smacked Clark’s ass with a towel.
Clark threw a pickle at him and missed.
“Don’t throw pickles at Lucky. He’s a good cat,” Dimitri scolded.
Dean, hair wet, put an arm around me. “Will you dance with me?”
“Always.” I leaned into him.
“Good. We missed you,” Nia told me.
I was so glad everyone on the team was fully accepting of me.
Jonas, Dean, and I left the locker room and went to the family room. Verity was talking with some MASOs.
“Grif.” She beamed and flung her arms around me. “That was so good. I’m proud of you.”
“What about me?” Dean fake pouted.
She kissed him. “I’m proud of you.” Verity then kissed Jonas. “You, too.”
“Gross.” Mercy made a face. “Let’s go to Tito’s. Gwenifer’s on tonight.”
We left for the parking garage and got into the SUV. I did like this new, larger vehicle Jonas picked out.
“That was a great game, Boo-Boo.” AJ squeezed my hand.
Tito’s was busy, full of happy teammates and rowdy fans, as the music blared and the beer flowed.
“Good job, Grif Graf,” yet another random fan told me. “Glad you’re back.”
“Thanks.” I was so grateful that the Knights’ fans were behind me, too.
Ladybug brought another round of beers to our table. Well, Mercy got a soda and Verity got one of her fruity little drinks. Tonight’s was peachy. AJ, Dean, Verity, and I sat at a high top, Verity’s crutch leaning against it. Jonas talked to Elias and Winston. Mercy was having a good time with Dimitri’s little sister and a few others.
“Team Mom, Ilovedmy cake pop bouquet. My boyfriend and I already shared one. They’re so cute,” Gwen told her. Her hair was still light blue.
“Happy Birthday.” Verity gave her a big smile.
“Dance with me.” Dean tugged my hand as his favorite song played.
I took his hand in mine and twirled him around. “Hey, can I have Verity to myself for at least the start of the night?”
Since we’d come back from the cabin, it had been mostly puppy piles in Verity’s bed or Dean hogging her. Not only did I want some alone time with her, but I think she was getting overwhelmed trying to balance all four of us.
Dean’s head lolled as he thought for a moment. “I suppose.”
Jonas joined us and we finished our beers.
“Ready to go home?” Jonas asked.
“Yep.” I handed Verity her crutch. “Let’s go home, Gorgeous.”
In the car, Mercy had some sort of weird teenage music playing.
