Page 86 of Pucking Grey

“Oh come on, dad. You were an athlete and look at you. Happily married. Kids out of the house and still with mom.”

He smiles, proud of his life and family. “I almost screwed things up with your mom, and none of this would be here.”

I gasp. “No, you wouldn’t dare ruin things with young Jenny.”

He laughs.

“Oh, I’m calling mom to learn about this story. The team is going to give Greyson grief if we don’t leave this room. They probably think you’re in here lecturing me.”

He opens the bedroom door. “Go on to your fake boyfriend then.”

I nod, cringing on the inside because I don’t know if it’s still fake. I force a grin as I walk past him. When I exit the hallway, I see Grey talking to a few guys alongside Ryan. So, I make my way to Sydney. She’s hanging out with a few of the older kids and asking them questions about their life.

“You are always with the children,” I tease Sydney as I sit next to her.

“Yeah,” she turns to me. “While eavesdropping on the adults. They think your dad doesn’t approve of Grey.”

I laugh, staring at the ground. I figured that would become a topic. “I told my dad the truth, so he told me togo on to my fake boyfriend.”

She laughs, so I do too.

“You have no idea how awkward that made me feel.” I lean down and whisper, “Because I don’t think it’s fake anymore.”

She gasps, feeling giddy with me. “What!” she whispers. “I want to know everything.”

I smile. “I’ve had enough long talks in the bedrooms tonight. I need a break.”

She laughs as she checks the time. “What time are we heading back? It’s a three-hour drive, so we have a way to go.”

I nod. “Do you think you and Crew can take my car?”

Her mouth opens in surprise and then she collects herself. “You’re leaving me alone with him too much. It’s starting to get awkward.”

I chuckle. “Maybe you just need a little push past that stage and hook up with him.”

She doesn’t seem disgusted, so that’s a plus. “No way,” she scoffs. “Don’t say things like that, I’m just going to feel even more awkward.”

“Just putting it out there,” I joke. “But yeah, we should leave soon.”

“Okay. I’ll make Crew drive, so I can sleep.”

“Perfect way to get out of the awkwardness.” I laugh.

Chapter 27

Maddie sits on my lap and wraps her arms around my neck right in front of her dad, her brother, a few of her brother’s teammates, Crew, and Matt.

I remind myself to breathe as she rests her head on my shoulder. When my eyes lock with Ryan’s and then her dad’s, I gulp.

“Are you okay?” I whisper to Maddie.

She nods. “Yeah. Just tired.”

I adjust myself so that she can sit comfortably on my lap.

I whisper to her, “Do you want to go? It’s a long drive. You can sleep on the way down.”

Sydney walks up to Crew and says, “Are you ready to start the drive?”

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