She laughed and spun back around. “But you know I love seeing you play.”
“Funny, because I haven’t seen you at a game all season.”
Neither had Grant. He would have remembered her for sure.
She started into a long explanation about work being busy, and how she promised to do better for the rest of the home games. She started recapping some of her favorite plays from the game when a family appeared in front of Grant. They pulled out their ticket stubs and asked if he would sign them.
Grant barely resisted the urge to shush the little girl who was telling him how he was her favorite player, hating that he was missing the conversation between Finn and the redhead. But when he looked down at the girl’s gap-tooth grin, Grant felt a pang of guilt. He should be thrilled to know that he was someone’s favorite player his first season playing in the MASL. He racked his brain trying to find a way to make this encounter special for the little girl standing in front of him.
He could offer to sign her shirt, but since it wasn’t specifically Storm, that wasn’t exactly fitting. He could take a picture with her, but again, that wasn’t above and beyond. That was something he’d already done with three other fans that night.
An idea suddenly came to him. When the girl finished listing all the reasons she loved Grant, he gave her a big grin. “It’s great to know I have such a loyal fan. Are you coming to next week’s game?”
The little girl turned around and looked at her mom. “Are we?”
Her mom gave her a sad smile and looked over at the girl’s father.
He shook his head. “Sorry, sweetie. We can’t go to every game. Coming tonight was a special treat.”
Grant wished he could decipher what “special treat” meant. Was it a money thing? If so, his idea was perfect. He got a certain number of free tickets to give to friends for each game, and since he didn’t really know anyone other than his teammates, they always went to waste.
He stood up and jerked his chin at the girl’s father, hoping he would lean in over the table so he could ask him quietly. Grant had gotten enough lectures from his older sister about giving his nieces treats without first asking their parents first.
The dad’s brows furrowed, but he leaned in.
Grant kept his voice low. “I’ve got free tickets for next week’s game if you’d like them.”
The other man leaned back and shook his head. “No, I couldn’t.”
Grant lifted his brows. “Because you can’t come?”
“Because I don’t want to take advantage.”
“It’s hard to take advantage when I’m offering.” Grant chuckled and pulled out his phone. “Why don’t you give me your last name. I’ll make sure they’re waiting for you guys at the box office next week before the game.”
“That’s really generous of you.”
Grant shrugged. “It’s the least I can do for such an enthusiastic fan.”
The little girl tugged on her dad’s arm. “What are you guys talking about?”
Her dad smiled down at her. “Grant Vaughn just gave us tickets for next week’s game.”
The girl jumped up and down. “Really?”
Grant leaned across the table so his face was on her level. “Yep. But you have to cheer really loud when you come. Deal?”
Her smile widened. “Deal.”
The dad gave him their last name and thanked Grant one more time before the family walked off. Free tickets weren’t much, but Grant was happy that it meant so much to them. The idea of doing something special for them gave him a warm feeling in his chest.
He’d even successfully forgotten about the mystery girl for a couple minutes. That was, until he looked over at Finn. The line in front of him was empty, and the girl was gone.
Finn smiled at him. “That was pretty cool of you, man. Giving them those tickets. I’m sure that family appreciates it.”
Grant rubbed the back of his neck as a small smile touched his lips. “Yeah, well, after hearing that I was that girl’s favorite player, I didn’t really have a choice, did I?”
“You always have a choice.” He slapped Grant’s back. “But focus on those kinds of fans and making them happy, and you’ll be fine.”
Grant’s smile fell. He could read between the lines. Finn was once again telling him not to get involved with fans. Not that the captain was very good at following his own advice.
There was obviously something going on between Finn and the gorgeous redhead. The connection they had with one another was obvious, even in that small exchange. Grant was surprised by the sadness that came with the realization.
He didn’t know that girl, but he had wanted to.
Too bad that his captain was dating her, and she was completely off-limits.
Grant
Grant was less eager to get to City Bar after finding out that the girl he wanted to talk to was dating Finn, but he’d already agreed to go. Plus, a drink to celebrate the Storm’s win might not be so bad right now. He and Vinny swung by the team house to get proper showers before driving to the bar.
Grant was thankful for the house that the owners of the team provided for players who lived out of town. Living there meant he didn’t have to pay double rent for the months he spent in Florida—for his apartment back home and here—though he didn’t always love the lack of privacy that came with living with three other guys in the four-bedroom place. Sure, he got his own bedroom, but it felt like the other guys were always there.
Sometimes it was so unbearable he had to go out to a local park or coffee shop just to breathe.
Getting dressed only took minutes—a Storm tee, jeans, and Chucks seemed like the perfect thing to wear to a bar—and they drove over
