Page 32 of Finding the Forward: Part Two
Those eyes that gleamed when we’d made a top collegiate hockey team together.
Those eyes became misty when we realized that for us both to achieve our PHL dreams, we’d have to be apart for the first time in years.
Those eyes teared up in that private clinic when he’d torn my heart out balefully admitting why he’d taken an entire bottle of heavy-duty blockers in an attempt to get rid of his omega out of fear of being outed like I’d been.
Those eyes lit up as he proposed to me in front of anentire fucking stadiumafter winning the PHL championship for the Hurricanes.
Those eyes melted my soul when we married in front of all our family and friends back in Boston.
My hand cupped his face. His beard softly scratched against my hand. “Feeling better, Gumdrop?”
“Much.” He scrunched his nose, face pressing into my hand. “I miss our epic blanket forts.”
“Me, too. Wecanstill build them. You know, when I awakened my mom said she wasn’t surprised, considering how many blanket forts we’d built.” My thumb stroked his cheekbone.
We’d build them all the time–to eat an after-practice snack, study for that test, watch movies, make out, or simply try not to be overwhelmed. It was our special place where we could block everyone out.
Grif laughed, his deep chuckle filling the nest. “I don’t think you ever told me that.”
“We can make a space for you. I know you’ve always said you didn’t need your own nest, but I also know why.”
I’d never forget his expression when he awakened. There’d been so much fear. His identity, his future, had been so wrapped up in hockey. He fought against his nature, hard, because he was afraid of what would be left of him if that were stripped away.
He winced, and I pressed my forehead to his as if I could quiet his thoughts.
“It’s a good idea. It just makes it all real.” He sighed, eyes closing.
“I know. Think about it. We should tell my mom before it goes public. She’s always been Team Grif.” Also, she had a lot of contacts, and we’d need all the help we could get. That joke about omegas knowing the strangest people was completely true.
“She doesn’t know? I mean, we’d never talked about it, but I thought you told her. Especially considering the gifts she gets me.” His green eyes blinked as his nose wrinkled in confusion.
“I never told her, but I’m sure she guessed.” I planted a kiss on his nose to unwrinkle it.
He turned on his side to face me better, but our legs were still tangled. “True, and you’re right. I should tell a parent or two.”
“Oh, you should–and Sissy.” Because we’d never hear the end of it if he didn’t.
“Very true.” His arms wrapped around me as he dragged me so I laid on top of him.
“I love you so much. I’ve been where you are and I’m here for you every step of the way. We all are.” Like they’d been there for me.
“Thank you. Because I… I’m so out of sorts, Dean.” His voice grew ragged. “I wasn’t expecting any of this. What if I come out as an omega but still have health problems? Or if my career ends at its peak? What if–”
My lips met his, trying to both silence him and quell his fears as I poured love through our bond. “One thing at a time, Gumdrop.”
He stilled under my kisses, his scent losing its bitter saltiness and once again just being rain with a hint of sweetness.
“Can you purr for me some more?” he asked, snuggling into me. Grif never got his purr.
I gave him a kiss. “Anything for you. Gumdrop. Anything.”
Chapter Ten
Verity
“Go, Grif!” I cheered as I watched Grif score a goal on my tablet. “He’s on fire tonight,” I told AJ, who I was video chatting with as I sat in a green room at the arena in Portland.
“He’s close to breaking some records. Someone’s probably going to get a boner tonight. He’ll save that for you.” AJ grinned at me from the corner of the tablet screen.
