Grumpy Darling: A Heartwarming YA Wholesome Slow-Burn Romance with First Kisses, Hockey, and a Happily Ever After (The Darling Devils Book 2)

by Alexandra Moody

Falling for your best friend was always dangerous, but this was the first time I thought my feelings for Paige might actually kill me.

“They weren’t that good, were they?” I was suddenly grateful my face had the emotional range of a goldfish. “I don’t know what you’re talking about. I loved them.” Technically, that was true. I loved everything about Paige, even her crappy muffins. Apparently, love wasn’t just blind, it also had no sense of taste.

She’d finished speaking, and apparently I’d been so lost in my thoughts about her I was now staring in silence like a complete idiot. I couldn’t help it that every time she looked at me time seemed to slow, and I was briefly transported to an alternate universe, where my deep and secret feelings for my best friend weren’t completely one-sided.

If it weren’t for my skills with a puck, I often wondered whether anyone would even know I existed. I wasn’t a natural leader like Reed, or outgoing like Parker. But I never felt invisible when I was around Paige.

She was the girl I wanted in my life forever, and even if that was only as a friend, it would have to be enough for me.

“You’re such an ass, Grayson Darling!” He was lying half asleep on his bed when I arrived, so I picked up a pillow and thumped him with it. He didn’t even flinch, easily plucking the soft, fluffy weapon from my hands. “Hello to you too,” he said with a yawn.

Sometimes being best friends with Grayson was like befriending a brick wall. Strong, reliable, and perfect, if you needed something sturdy to lean on. But also, totally immovable and completely stubborn.

All I could think was that I’d happily put up with terrible cooking every night for the rest of my life if it meant I could be with Paige.

“Come on, Pidge . . .” “Don’t call me that,” she grumbled. Using my nickname for Paige was always a surefire way to win her over in situations like this, and she knew it. I’d been calling her the same thing ever since we first met as kids. We were only seven, but even then I’d been so struck by how pretty she was, I could barely speak. I went to say her name, but I was so nervous I stumbled over it. Ten years later, I was still pretending it had been on purpose.

“I need you to back off and play nice,” she said. I’d never really grasped the concept of playing nice, but I couldn’t say no to Paige. I’d do anything to make her happy.

“Paige, any guy would be lucky to kiss you.” They’d also be lucky to be alive, thanks to Paige’s new decree that I couldn’t threaten them anymore. This was going to be tougher than I thought. “You’re my best friend. You have to say that.” It was because I was her best friend that I shouldn’t.

“You’ve been in love with her for years.” “No, we’ve been friends for years.” “Friends?” Reed shook his head at me. “You don’t look at her like she’s just a friend.” “Of course I do.” “No, Grayson. You look at her like her like she’s everything.”

Gray: Are you still at the rink? Me: No, I’m home now. Bonnie and I are getting ready for tonight. Apparently, what I wear to Matt’s party is a big deal. Gray: Just wear what you had on at the game. You looked perfect. Me: I was wearing your jersey. Gray: Like I said . . . perfect.

“No guy has ever truly wanted me, and they never will.” My heart was breaking for her, and in my mind I was practically screaming that I wanted her. I’d always wanted her.

I didn’t want to be the practice guy. I wanted to be the guy.

“That’s the first time I’ve ever been scared on the ice,” he said. “Really? I guess having a puck flying at you is a little different when you’ve got a helmet on.” “No, it’s a little different when it’s flying at you.”

A chick flick wouldn’t have been my first choice for a movie, but I didn’t mind them so much when I was watching with her. I’d do just about anything if it meant having Paige nearby.

“Sometimes, when you stop looking ahead and focus on what’s right in front of you, that thing you’ve been looking for all along finds you.”

“It’s not exactly my friendly personality that gets them going.” “Aw, I like your personality.” She laughed lightly. “Besides, there’s something so sexy about broody guys.” “Is there now?” That was news to me, but I kept my tone casual and inquisitive, rather than shocked. My mom was always gushing about the broody love interests in her books, but no one wanted that guy in the real world, did they? It was the equivalent of choosing to go for a walk in a storm instead of on a bright, sunny day. And I knew how much Paige hated storms.

His arms were folded over his chest, and from this distance, it was clear why people were a little cautious around him. He was such an imposing figure, and his default facial expression was far from welcoming. But the moment his eyes landed on me they started to sparkle, and it was suddenly impossible to fathom how anyone could consider him scary.

“Are you sure you want to do this?” I asked as I approached Grayson’s truck. He responded by opening the passenger door for me. “I want to do everything with you, Pidge.”

“I guess that means I can’t get it.” She sighed. “Why not? I think you should wear what makes you happy. And you look pretty happy right now.” “Maybe that’s not just because of the dress,” she whispered. “I’m having a good time with you.”

“I think if you wear that dress for a second longer, I’m going to forget we’re just friends.”

“I don’t want you to be afraid.” “I’m never afraid when I’m with you.”

Perhaps that’s why I was so in love with her. I was like one of those stone gargoyles perched on the walls of old churches. An impenetrable statue glaring down at the world. But the second Paige shone her light on me, I shed my stony exterior and came to life.

“I don’t need a wish. Everything I’ve ever wanted is already right here.”

“I wished for you, Gray. I wished that this date was real. I wished that one day you’d see me as more than a friend. And I wished that you, no one else, would be my first kiss. Because I’m in love with you too, Grayson. I think I always have been. I just didn’t realize it was love. I thought it was just . . . us.”

“No, Pidge. That was my first kiss too.” “But . . . What? Who?” She blinked. “How is that possible?” “Why would I kiss someone else, when I was waiting for you?”

“I’d do anything for you.”

“You’re never going to lose me.” “You make it sound so simple.” “It may not always be,” he agreed. “But fighting is one of my strengths. I’m always going to fight for you. For us.”

But over the last two weeks I’d realized that it was okay not to have an immediate plan. It was okay if you didn’t have everything figured out. Because sometimes life threw something at you that was better than anything you could ever have dreamed up anyway.

“I’m pretty sure that if your death stare didn’t work on her, then we’ve all met our match,” Parker replied. “You’re way scarier than we’ll ever be, Cam.” She gave him an icy glare that only proved him right.

i don't want a parker book i want a cammie book

“The nurse said you need to rest.” She pointed over her shoulder to where everyone else was walking through the door and disappearing into the hallway. “I’ll rest from them. But not from you. Never from you.”

let the star fall without drawing her attention. I’d leave that wish for someone else. We both already had everything we wanted.