More on this book
Community
Kindle Notes & Highlights
“Promise me you’ll always remember that. Never, ever doubt that I love you, Gray.”
I am pussy-whipped and Kathryn’s the one holding the other end of that whip.
“You know you’re always safe with me, Kathryn. I’d die before I ever let anything hurt you,”
“I have plans. We have plans.” “The Stanley Cup kind of plans,” she says. “Exactly. I’m going to make it to the NHL. I’m going to win that Cup, and you and I are going to drink from it. Together.”
“I don’t want any babies if they’re not yours, Gray. I want a little girl with your green eyes. We’ll name her Graycee, and I already know she’s going to be a huge daddy’s girl.”
“You have her. You see him every day because you have her. You’re reminded of him. He doesn’t have that, Kathryn.”
We had plans. We had our whole future laid out. Marriage, kids, hockey. It was all supposed to be ours. Together. And then she fucking left. She left and took a piece of me with her. Graycee. I don’t need a DNA test to tell me that child is mine. Tears spring to my eyes. I look up to my best friend. “She was supposed to be mine,”
“She’s mine,” I hiss under my breath. “So you’ve said,” Luke replies. “Not Kathryn, the kid. The little girl in this photo. She’s mine,” I tell him.
“DNA test, bro. That’s all I’m saying about that. You are in a position that many women are looking to take advantage of. Don’t do anything without concrete evidence.” “I don’t need a test. She’s mine.”
“You know, I think he’d forgive you for just about anything. He loves you that much, but this? Taking his kid, Kathryn? I don’t know if that’s something even Gray will forgive you for.”
“March eighteenth. Every year, he mourns you like you died, Kathryn. You know how I know that? Because I’ve flown out here on that day, every year, to help him through it. Do you have any idea what it’s been like watching him fall apart? He looked for you for years, Kathryn. And even though I knew it was your choice, I always hoped he’d find you and bring you back.”
My college girlfriend, who I thought was dead, has suddenly resurfaced. Resurrected? And, oh, she’s not alone. No, it seems I have a kid we didn’t know about. Congratulations, you’re a grandfather? Yeah, I don’t think so.
“Two thousand, one hundred, and eighty-four days,” he says. “That’s how long I’ve been looking for you. So, imagine my surprise when you show up right here, in Vancouver, on my metaphorical doorstep, after all this time.”
“You lost the right to tell me what the fuck to do six years ago, Kathryn,” he growls.
“Gray, stop. You’re hurting me,” I rasp out. He chuckles, but it sounds more sinister than an actual laugh. “Hurting you? Oh, babe, I haven’t even started that part yet.”
“Hi, Graycee. I’m Grayson,” he introduces himself. Graycee’s eyes widen, matching my own shock, and she peers up at me before looking back at him. “You’re my daddy?”
“Yeah, I am,” Gray says. “Are you finished being busy? Are you going to live with me now?” Graycee asks him. “Come on, baby, let’s go back to bed.” I step around Gray and pick up my daughter. “As a matter of fact, I am going to live with you now, Graycee. Would you like that?” Gray pushes to his feet, meeting my daughter’s eyes. Our daughter’s eyes. She nods her head. “I’ve been waiting.”
“Where are we going?” Graycee asks him. “Home,” he says. “I’m taking you home, Graycee.” “And Mama?” “Yes, and Mama too.” He turns to me. “Pack a bag, Kathryn. We’re leaving in five minutes with or without you,” he whispers that last part into my ear as he walks right past me and into Graycee’s room.
She’s so trusting, just falls right into his arms. Then again, she has no reason not to be. I’ve only ever told her the truth about her father. That he’s a kind, good man. That he would do anything for her if she needed him to. Because that’s the Grayson I once knew. I just hope to God that version of him is still in there somewhere.
“What are you doing?” “Taking my daughter home. Where she should have fucking been for the last five years,” he growls. “Six. ʼCause I would have loved the fucking chance to be there before she was born too.”
“She’s too trusting. She shouldn’t be letting some strange guy come into the house, pick her up, and put her into his car. Have you not taught her anything about stranger danger?” “You’re not a stranger to her. She’s always known about you. I’ve never given her a reason to not trust her father, Gray.” “No, you just didn’t give her the opportunity to actually know him,”
You don’t get to call the shots anymore. You lost that ability the day you decided to leave town with a piece of me growing inside you,”
“You can come and go as you please. No one is keeping you here. But if you so much as think about taking her and running a second time, I will make sure you never see her again. Got me?”
“You used to be so good at following directions, Kathryn. What the fuck happened to the girl who wanted to please me to no end?”
“You might hate me, Grayson Monroe, but I know you also still love me. Otherwise you would have killed me by now.” “Love has nothing to do with it. Not when it comes to you, Kathryn. You’re here because you’re a good mother to our daughter. That’s it. And because I’m not a fucking selfish bitch, the kind of person who would take a parent away from a child.”
“I’m surprised you didn’t throw that kid into the boards. I mean, even I wanted to,” I say. Gray’s lips tip up. “Wait for it.” “What?” “Just watch.” He nods to the ice. And my mouth drops open as I watch Graycee check the little boy against the boards. Damn, she hit him hard too. Didn’t even try to slow down. I push to my feet with a gasp. “What did you say to her?” “I told her to save it for the game.”
I have Graycee and Kathryn in the family box with Vinny and Aliyah. Graycee was so fucking excited to be here. This is the first game she’s been able to attend. The first time I’m actually playing in front of my daughter.
“I heard Graycee checked a kid and broke his shoulder,” he says. “Where’d you hear that?” “Your sister. Graycee told her.” “She didn’t break the kid’s shoulder. Unfortunately,” I grunt. “Wish she had. The little shit had it coming.” “We’ll have to teach her to hit harder.” The fucker grins. “I’ll teach her to hit harder,” I tell him. “You already stole my fucking sister, King. You’re not stealing my daughter as well.”
“Graycee, I gotta go and win this game. I love you.” “Love you too, Daddy,” she says, then adds, “And, Daddy, make sure you hit ʼem harder.”
“I do, but you were right. No matter how much I hate you, I still love you. I’ve always loved you, Kathryn.”
“I’m always good. Besides, I’m the princess of the castle, and princesses can do whatever they want. Daddy said so.” She beams. “I have a feeling Daddy’s going to regret those words one day very soon,”
“I’m not on the pill.” “Okay. Well, at least if I knock you up again, you won’t be able to run off this time.”
“You want me to tell you shit, Lil? Maybe you should have given me the same fucking courtesy six years ago when you helped her run off with my kid,” he grunts.
“Yep. But there’s a fine line between love and hate. And you two have crossed it.” She smiles.
“I’m the villain in this story, Lil. I don’t get the guy. I don’t get the happy ending.”
He leans in and buries his face in the crook of my neck. “You look good. Almost like the girl I used to love.”
“Don’t you think I would if I could? I can’t fucking stay away from you, Kathryn. You’re right. There are times when I do hate you. I hate what you did. But I can’t stop fucking loving you either. Trust me, I’ve tried.”
“I still shouldn’t have given up. I promise I will never give up on you again, Kathryn. I won’t give up on us.”
“I think we will always be an us, Kathryn. We probably have some shit to work through, but it’s always been you. It will always be you.”
“I want you to come with me. Together, Kathryn. Always together,” Gray says.
“I’m in this, Kathryn. One hundred percent. This isn’t me setting you up for heartbreak. I never want to see you hurt. This is me finally getting what I’ve been waiting for, for a very long time,” he says, “while hoping it’s what you’ve been waiting for too.”
“Did you sleep with her? When I was gone? Did you guys have a thing? I mean, it’s not a big deal. I wasn’t here. You were free to do whatever and whomever you wanted. But I need to know… Did you? With Lil?” Gray smirks. “You sound jealous, babe.”
“It appears you have a thing for blondes.” “I have a thing for you. I was trying to find you in everyone I met…”
If it comes down to me or Grayson, I will choose him. There isn’t even a question about it.
“Why not? That’s actually a really good idea. I could hire a full-time teacher… set up a little classroom.” “No, she needs to make friends. She needs to socialize with other kids.” “So let’s give her a sibling then,” I suggest with a grin.
Because of you, she’s going to know her worth as a woman. She’s going to know how men should treat her in life. Because of you, she has a whole extended family who loves and adores her. I couldn’t give her those things without you, Grayson.”
“I want another ten.” He grins. “Well, best be finding some other ovens to bake those in, because this one ain’t it,” I fire back while gesturing to my stomach. “Never say never, babe.” “NEVER. I’m saying never, Grayson Monroe.” “Sorry. Can’t hear you. Too busy listening to how someone was raiding my ice cream stash. I hope you left some for me, sweetheart.”
“I swear to God, Grayson Monroe, if you’ve given me an STD, I’m going to cut your dick off,” I tell him. “Babe, I’m as clean as a whistle. I’ve never fucked anyone bare but you. I’m not a total moron,” he says.
“You’re trying to knock me up after we’ve only just gotten back together. That’s pretty moronic, if you ask me.”
“What happened to the girl in college who was adamant that she was never going to ask a man for anything?” “She grew up and learned that it’s okay to ask for help when you need it.” Liliana shrugs.
