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“Well,that was fun. I love getting murdered on the field by those assholes,” Dom grumbles as he walks into the locker room to shower. He’s covered in grass and dirt. I don’t know what was up Lakeside’s ass, but they kept gunning for him.
“Let me grab a quick rinse, and then we can all go back to my place.”
Ugh, I just want to go home and get some sleep. Last night was a mass of fighting and then crying. My mom, not me, but still, it caused my little brother Duke to climb into my bed.
I know he was scared, but he only sleeps if he’s wrapped around you, and I like to sprawl out. I’m not the best person to share a bed with. Carter suggests some food, and my stomach growls.
“Fuck it. I’m in, but I can’t stay out late. I have a meeting with a recruiter tomorrow that I need to prepare for. I thought Ash was going with me, but he’s still blowing shit off,” I grumble, and Dom snorts.
“I told that fucker he better get his ass home today. I’m sick of his shit, and we need to talk about Gracie.” Carter finishes tying his shoes, tosses his deodorant into his locker, then slams it shut.
“So, what did he say? Is he coming back? I’m not sure how much longer we can lie about him being sick,” Carter says as we exit the locker room. Isaiah, our running back, catches up to us, and I give him a fist bump.
“Where are we getting food?” he asks, and I shrug, then cover my mouth as I yawn.
“I’m just along for the ride, then I’m going home and to bed,” I mutter, and he laughs, shoving my shoulder with his as he pushes by to ask Dom where we’re going.
I guess the whole team’s coming for dinner. Well, everyone but Ash.
Ash
I laugh as I reread Dom’s text. Is he seriously trying to order me to come home? I glance out the window of the cabin I’ve been staying in and sigh. The peace has been nice, but I think it’s time to go back. Not because Dom said so, but I think it’s time I face my past and hopefully get some closure.
I pack up my bag and check that I’m not forgetting anything. This place has always been a safe haven for me. Even if I had Gracie beside me the last time I was here. But even her memory can’t taint this place.
I drop off the keys in the lockbox since it’s after hours, then head over to my truck. I used to have a convertible, but I thought with getting married and possibly having kids someday, I should just trade up now.
Funny how shit changes.
I never expected to be alone, trying to figure out my next step. Is it the military like I’ve been planning for the last five years? Or is it college? Maybe I should just defer for a year until I have my shit together again.
I’m sure Dom would let me crash on his couch wherever he ends up.
I pull onto the road and start the drive back to Willows Creek. I’m about three hours away, so I should be home for dinner if the traffic is light. Maybe I’ll swing by Dom’s house, so he can have proof of life and stop bitching.
I stop at a red light before the on-ramp for the highway and plug in my phone before switching my playlist on. I have to laugh at how pathetic I am. I still haven't deleted the ones I made for Gracie.
But that’s going to change. This weekend after the Halloween party, I am going to have a huge bonfire and burn all the shit that reminds me of her. Every last item. The shoebox that I buried in my closet. The clothes she left that I threw in a drawer. Her bathroom shit, and… The note.
The one that ripped my heart out and changed everything.
I look at all the colorful leaves now on the trees rather than the few there were when I drove out of here a few weeks ago. It reminds me of when I used to take Gracie on long drives for no reason.
“Hey,baby girl, are you ready to go?” I ask Gracie when she comes out her front door with her overnight bag stuffed to the brim.
“Doll, you know we're only going to be gone the weekend, right?”
“Yeah, but babe, the weather is changing, so I had to pack some warmer stuff just in case. Plus, I have one of your favorite hoodies to keep me warm, but I know by tomorrow, you're going to need it. Let me guess, you have boxers, basketball shorts, a T-shirt, and socks? I also baked some goodies for the trip, and they are taking up a good portion of my bag,” she says, with an eye roll and a giggle.
She reaches to open her door, and I gently smack her hand. She knows better. I always get the door for her. She sighs and presses a quick kiss to my cheek, but I’m not having that.
“Oh well, in that case, forget I mentioned it,” I say, reaching over and grabbing her throat, giving her one hell of a kiss. Before I can get lost in her lips, I pull back, shoot her a grin, and look into her lust-filled gaze.
“Later, babe, we have all weekend. No parents or practice, just you and me. I got us a room with a hot tub and a view. You can look out over the Catskills while I look at your delectable body,” I grumble with a growl, and she shivers.
She gently smacks my chest before laying her hand in between my shoulder and my neck, gripping softly.
“Sounds like heaven, Ash.”
