“Look at him, it’s the most energetic determination I've ever seen in him. Why does that one player on his team keep shoulder checking him? Oh my, one minute until the game ends!? How is he going—oh my, he’s skating so fast! He just slammed into that player like bulldozing through a brick wall! Go, Granger, go!” His mother is a ball of anxiety, sheer excitement on her face as she shouts and pumps her fist in the air alongside her husband.
The buzzer sounds, and the Terriers win another game with seconds to spare as Granger slap shot the puck into the net with Beast demolishing the opposite team like it’s a piece of cake. Granger’s dad has his arm over his wife's shoulder with a beaming smile as he keeps yelling, “That’s my son!”
Mary yells in my ear that she’s going back to her dorm to change into an outfit just for Beast and will see me later…much much later. Granger’s parents and I wait for the crowd to thin down, then we start moving along the steps so we can get to the tunnels before the team leaves the locker room. Mr. Wilder places a hand on my arm to stop me from walking into the crowded tunnel filled with cheering fans.
“We aren’t bad people, Kat, we just didn’t know, even when it was right in front of us. I hope this hasn’t made you look at us like we’re terrible parents. I always wanted what’s best for my son, and after seeing the passion he brought out there tonight…I can admit I was wrong. We’re happy he has someone like you in his life that will speak up for him and doesn’t stop trying until we hear you,” Mr. Wilder says, tears filling his eyes and clearing his throat while pulling his wife under his arm.
I don’t know what to say… Granger deserves parents who will support his decisions and dreams, so the natural thing to do was make them see that, even if it meant sharing a piece of myself I’d rather people not know. It wasn’t easy telling them my story, how meaningless my life has been, but I got my point across because they showed up tonight. It might have taken a while, but they’re here now.
“In my opinion, I think it meant the world to Granger to have you guys here, and that’s all that matters in the end.” I bite my lip, feeling like I’m losing something all over again and it’s all going to come into a burning crash any minute.
“Thank you, my dear. He has our support, even if it saddens us he won’t be coming into the family business as a lawyer, but we see where his heart lies. We wanted to give you something in return after you told us about your home life and for opening our eyes.” She looks up at her husband and after his nod, she pulls out a folder from her purse.
“We did a little digging, and to say it was hard to come by is an understatement. We knew your mother and father in passing, because they used our lawyers at the firm, but I—we—want you to know that your ‘little inheritance’ isn’t as small as you may think. Your mother’s family came from very old money, and she really did love you, dear,” Mrs. Wilder says, concern written on her face as I take the envelope with shaking hands.
“Don’t read it here, wait until you're in a quiet place to process all this. When you're ready, we’re here to do whatever it takes to help you,” she says, blinking away tears and wiping at them with the monogrammed handkerchief her husband pulls out of his breast pocket.
“We’ll be right here waiting for you two to join us after he comes out. Men like to see their girl first before the parents,” Mr. Wilder says with a wink, and leans back against the cement walls to wait with his wife.
With a shaky breath, I head down the tunnel with a million and one thoughts on my mind. I really just want to see Granger. He has a way of calming the storm that races inside of me, and I’m hoping we’re going to be okay. Reaching the back of the crowd blocking the way to the locker room doors, I stand on my tippy toes to see over their heads for Granger, but instead, my gaze captures angry brown eyes heading my way.
Great, just great. Another person I’d rather not run into, but it seems she’s on the warpath and I’m the destination. Victoria reaches me in seconds and comes to a halt in front of me with her hands on her hips, blocking my way.
“You don’t belong here, whore. Just go back the way you came, and I’ll take care of Granger. He needs a real woman in the sheets, someone he has a special bond with,” she gloats, flicking her red hair over her shoulder, and steps closer to whisper in my ear, “Did he tell you yet?”
I’m almost scared to ask. The whole time I’ve known Granger, I’ve felt like he was holding himself back, keeping something to himself that left deep scars on him. I’m beginning to think it wasn’t just her cheating on him.
“I don’t care what you have to say. If Granger wants to tell me something, he’ll do it himself,” I tell her and try to look around her, but she blocks my way again with her body.
“Oh! He hasn’t told you. You see, Granger and I have this special bond that no one can ever compete with. After all, I was going to have his baby, but it just wasn’t the right time since he’s being scouted for the pros.” She implies everything that’s on my mind by rubbing a hand over her flat stomach
