Page 180 of Breaking Point
You’ve been trying to get me to fall for you?
I wish I could say the words, but the vowels and letters are stuck on my tongue. By his smirk dancing with humor, he knows I want to grill him right now.
“IceHawks are thinking of trading me.”
Carlton’s brows shoot up as Allie gasps. “Why on earth would they?—”
Carlton places a gentle hand on her lap, cutting his wife off as his gaze turns sad. “I think, dear, that Grayson may have pushed himself too soon…?”
His statement is more of a question, his eyes imploring, and at Grayson’s quiet nod, Carlton sighs. “That’s all right. People make mistakes, but people can also turn things around.”
“A-are you doing okay now?” Allie asks, her hands wringing together in her lap.
Grayson blows out a heavy breath, adverting everyone’s gaze. “I was…”
“Grayson was sober for two months,” I state proudly. “And I know that the next length of time will be even longer because, my god, your son is competitive.”
Beside me, Grayson bursts out with shocked laughter. His hand lands on my lap beneath the table, squeezing gently as he mouths,Thank you.
Carlton points at his son. “It’s not about how many times you fall down?—”
“But how many times you get up,” Grayson finishes for him.
Allie reaches across the table. “We’re here to help in any way you need. Please let us help, Grayson.”
He swallows thickly, his eyes locked on his mom’s. “I will…now. I’m sorry.”
“No sorry necessary. You’re here with us now and that’s all that matters.” Her smile is watery and she can’t seem to let go of her son until Carlton reaches over and locks his fingers with his wife’s in support.
Grayson’s hand remains on my leg, tightening as he struggles to suggest, “Maybe we can do…family dinners again?”
Allie’s eyes brighten.
A deep crimson tint spreads up Grayson’s neck. “But maybe at my house and Bella can cook?” He looks to me then, the question in his gaze.
I nod emphatically. “Absolutely! You can meet Bambi!”
“Bambi?” Allie asks.
Grayson’s face lights up as he pulls out his phone showing photos of Bambi to his parents and gushes about the dog that stole his heart. He also shows some of the photos Kieran sent over today of Bambi since he’s watching her.
That was an interesting interaction to watch. I’ve never seen someone read another person so well. It was like he could actually see Grayson’s thoughts. All Kieran did was come in, look at himfor a brief moment, and in the next, he was hugging his best friend and saying how proud he is of him.
No lectures on him drinking and going AWOL for a weekend. Just praise that he was trying to rise again.
Grayson’s smile is full and wide as he swipes through endless photos of Bambi, all the while Allie drinks in the sight of her son. From that point forward, all topics are safe, and tears somehow remain at bay for the remainder of dinner.
Until later that evening when we’re walking to the parking lot. Grayson’s walking ahead of me with his father when Allie stops me with a gentle hand on my shoulder.
“Thank you for bringing my boy home,” she chokes out.
“I owed him one,” I admit.
Her smile is wide, her eyes bright. “Whatever the reason, all I care is that you brought my boy back to me.” She wraps me in a hug so tight I can’t breathe, but I don’t mind, especially as her voice fills with emotion. “You brought him back to me, and I will be grateful to you for as long as I live.”
With no words I squeeze her back, hoping that’s enough. It must be, because she chuckles softly under her breath as she pulls back and casually throws out, “You two will make a gorgeous couple when you both stop being stubborn.”
My jaw practically unhinges, but all I can do is laugh because on the ride back to Grayson’s house, I can feel it between us. Something has shifted, whether it was his words at lunch, the soft confession that he’s been trying to get me to fall for him, or the emotionally charged day. I find that I don’t mind the change, though, especially as when I leave for the evening, Grayson plants a featherlight kiss atop my forehead and whispers, “Thank you.”
