Page 84 of Pucking Grey

“Hey, Sydney,” he smiles. “I am good. How are things at the house? Hopefully Crew is putting the toilet seat down?” He shoots a look at Crew. Crew points at him with a smile while nodding.

I smile at Crew as he walks over. “What’s this about, Coach?”

My dad brings him into a hug, smacking his back. “Just making sure you’re taking care of the girls.”

Crew glances at us and then looks back at my dad. “Maddie sometimes skips out on brushing her teeth at night.”

I hit his shoulder as my dad laughs. I scoff. “Crew, I’m going to pour mustard on your toothbrush if you continue to spread rumors.”

Crew chuckles, blocking my hit. “I’m just kidding. They behave. How are things with you? Keeping the team in top shape, huh?” Crew looks around at the party.

My dad nods. “It’s good to see everyone come together as a family.”

I notice Grey walk next to me, so I interrupt. “Hey, dad. I want you to meet Grey.”

“Greyson Cress,” Grey says, shaking my dad’s hand. He looks nervous, and I find that endearing.

My dad looks at Grey and says, “You’re the center for the Honey Badgers. I’ve seen you play, son.”

Crew laughs, pointing at Grey. “This guy? He’s the reason we win.”

I am beaming at the approval of my dad and Crew right now. Grey has no idea how to take a compliment, so I grab his arm.

“He is a good team player, but I do think that he could slow down on those turns.”

Crew says, “Hey, he’s fast.”

I smirk, wanting to mention that I’m faster. But I don’t because I don’t want to steal the spotlight.

Crew continues, “So, let him be fast. Let him do his thing.”

An awkward silence falls between our group.

“Are we still talking about hockey?” my dad asks. And I’m glad he does because that’s exactly what I was thinking. It had everything to do with Crew’s tone of voice and body language. Leave it to my dad to speak the truth. My dad glances at my proximity to Grey and then glances around the party and says, “Is that Baddie Addie?”

I hear her from behind me as my dad walks away.

I turn to Grey and ask, “Are you hungry?”

He nods as I lead him to the kitchen.

“See, not so bad, right?” I ask as I grab two plates.

“Not at all,” he mutters, taking the plate from me. He passes me a fork, and I smile.

Grey and I make our plate of food, and then my dad trails behind us. We sit together outside at the table.

“Is mom working night shift?” I ask my dad after we’ve taken a few bites.

My dad nods. “Yeah, she says to tell you she loves you. And she wants to meet you halfway for lunch soon.”

I nod. “Yeah, will you come too?”

“Only if you two schedule something that fits with my schedule, but it’s hard with you being so far.”

I nod. “It’s no problem. I’m glad to see you right now. This is nice.” I turn to Grey and say, “My dad wasn’t invited to these things until now because now Ryan is a mature adult that can throw an appropriate party.”

Ryan pretends to headlock me from behind. It catches me off guard because I didn’t know he was there. “What’re you saying now, little sis?”

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