Finding the Forward, Part One (HockeyVerse)

Chapter Forty-Two

Verity

M usic surrounded us as the orchestra played on the stage of the beautiful auditorium. While I didn’t quite understand music the way Dare did, I enjoyed most types, classical included. The concert was... interesting. This piece involved sock puppets. The one mixing electronic music with samples of well-known classical pieces had been fun.

“It feels like we’re in undergrad again, being supportive and going to his concerts,” Dean said quietly, head resting on my shoulder. “Or high school, since I attended all those, too.”

He’d been excited I’d brought him the last breadstick at the restaurant and had devoured it.

Looking over at Grif, I squeezed his hand. Seeing him on the podium had been an experience. There was an ease about his body that I’d only ever seen when he was on the ice.

The sock puppet piece ended, and everyone applauded. Grif stiffened beside me.

“It’ll be fine,” AJ whispered to him, giving him a squeeze. “I’m so excited.”

The applause ended, and Professor Dublonski, who I’d heard all about since she was one of my brother’s favorites, took the microphone. Someone pushed out the stripped car, which was on a wheeled platform.

“Thank you for joining us for our evening of experimental music. Our last piece is Sonatina por ricombi auto, which was composed by one of our own, Boston and BosTec’s Griffin McGraff,” she told everyone. Applause filled the concert hall.

“Which piece is this? Is this the one with the bubble machine?” Jonas asked.

“No, this is the one with the car parts,” Dean replied.

Like she had for the other pieces, she gave some background on the composition. This one explored the themes of urban decay. “Photography is courtesy of our advanced photography class, and they’re all on display in the lobby.”

It was nice that BosTec had fine arts. A lot of the techies didn’t have them. Or only had a handful as undergraduate electives, like NYIT did.

“I’m so excited to welcome Griffin McGraff himself, who will be conducting the piece,” she said, as the room exploded in cheers.

I leaned in and kissed him on the cheek. “You’re going to be great.”

“You’re conducting? I’m so excited for you.” AJ kissed his other cheek.

Grif stood and walked toward the stage as the cheers continued. While he waved and smiled, he looked nervous.

Dean pouted. “He’s conducting, and you didn’t tell me?”

“We had no idea until Dare dragged us into the room, and the professor was handing him her conducting stick. He wanted to surprise AJ,” I replied, watching as he made his way to the stage.

“He did?” AJ put a hand to his heart. As usual, he looked like he was about to go on a high-speed chase through Europe in a sports car.

“Conducting stick?” Dean snorted. “It’s called a baton.”

Onstage everyone had assembled, including the ballet dancer who wore a garbage bag and black pointe shoes. The lights dimmed as Grif took the stage.

The orchestra went to attention. He put his arms up, baton in hand, expression focused. The music hit the room like lightning, sudden and dramatic. As the orchestra played and the ballerina danced, black and white photographs of dilapidated buildings, decayed houses, and abandoned lots filled with weeds appeared in the background.

Several percussionists played the car skeleton with drumsticks, mallets, and even a crowbar. It featured prominently in the powerfully stark song. It was like Grif had stripped the music naked and displayed its vulnerabilities for all to see.

“The dancer was originally supposed to be barefoot and naked–or wearing pasties, but the school wouldn’t allow it. Didn’t have the background pictures before, but it adds a nice touch,” Dean whispered.

The song ended with the last photo being a single flower growing in a concrete lot. The hall thundered with applause as the ballet dancer slumped over the car skeleton dramatically.

AJ looked shocked. “Grif wrote that? It wasn’t what I expected.”

“He writes some weird ass shit. Always has. It’s not his best composition though,” Dean replied, as everyone continued to applaud, many standing.

“I like the one with the bubble machine he did for his graduation concert,” Jonas interjected.

There were lots of bows and applause as the concert ended.

“Where to now? Should we take you to our bar? Go fuck in the stacks in the library?” Dean looked hopeful, and I caught a whiff of his arousal.

“Can we go to your strip club?” I waggled my eyebrows at Jonas. “Actually, Dare wants us to go to something in the square. Hot booze is on Grif.”

“Oh, right, they have the ice skating rink set up this time of year with all the food vendors,” Dean nodded.

Jonas’ eyes lit up. “I want cinnamon almonds.”

I’d rather go someplace inside than sit around in the cold and watch them ice skate, but this was Dare’s night. Also, if there was hot booze and cinnamon almonds, I’d be okay.

We navigated through the throng. Lots of people had crowded Grif. Dean went up to Grif and gave him a big kiss.

“I need booze,” Grif whispered to me, as I put an arm around him. “My songs are a thing, and I had no idea. Why do people want to play my silly little songs?”

“Because they’re powerful,” I told him.

“Conducting a symphony as a backup for after hockey seems like it might be worth pursuing,” AJ replied. “It shouldn’t be hard to set up some guest conducting opportunities.”

Professor Dublonski came over to us. “You’re welcome anytime, Grif. You know, they’re changing the math requirement for music majors. If you petition, you might just get that diploma. You aren’t the only person thwarted by advanced calculus.”

“That would be great,” Jonas told him, giving his shoulder a squeeze.

“It... it would.” Grif beamed.

Lots of people wanted to talk to Grif and take pictures with the guys, so I hung back with AJ and let them have their moment.

“I heard about the piano. I’m glad you’re courting him,” I said softly.

“Be prepared.” He gave me a look, like he dared me to protest.

“I know it’s not a contest, but the only thing I have to compare is to make him a rose. I better get going because that takes a while.” I’d started thinking about it.

AJ blinked. “You mean grow some?”

“No. I want to create a special breed for him that didn’t exist before,” I replied. Originally, I’d thought of something with orange stripes and putting tiger in the name. But maybe I wanted to go white with black spots, to mimic the roses made from sheet music?

Hmmm. I’d need to ponder this.

Along with how long I wanted to spend on the task. I’d spent three years on the one for my dad. Grace’s had taken a year. But there’d only been a year between us finding her and her mating ceremony and I’d wanted it to be her present.

“You love him, don’t you? However, you’re way too positive and cheerful–and accepting. Sometimes I even wonder if you’re for real.” AJ made a face.

“Unfortunately. At least according to the parents.” I shrugged. “I had to learn to pick and choose my battles. Also, my beta mama taught me to always be the cheerful one so I could help bring balance to the angry alphas of the house.”

“Huh.” He rubbed his chin for a moment. “I understand that. My parents are overly into appearances. Including always appearing like a happy family. Can you actually create roses? I didn’t know that was something people did?”

“I’ve only done it twice,” I told AJ, showing him pictures.

The topic changed to fútbol, and we chatted until Dare appeared wearing jeans, a beanie, and a BosTec hoodie.

“I was promised hot booze.” Dare looked at AJ, then me. “They all came. Hey there, Cow Boy.”

“I just wanted to support Grif. Good job, Dare,” AJ said.

“I’m so proud of you.” I hugged him.

“Thanks, Ver. Hey, Grif Graf, it’s time for booze,” Dare called.

Dare herded us out of the hall, where the cold smacked me in the face. I wrapped my light blue coat around me tighter and took my hat out of my pocket. My white puffball hat matched my scarf and gloves.

A bunch of other students joined us. The noise and joyfulness made me think of my undergraduate days and how much fun they’d been even though I’d lived at home.

“You’re going to Bayside to visit Baba and Mama for break?” I asked Dare, being careful of the icy sidewalks with my crutch.

“Only for a little bit. Chance guilted me into it. Not looking forward to seeing the home they got without us. We don’t even have rooms. But I’ll be at Grace’s when you are. I’ll try to kidnap Chance and bring him,” he told me.

“I’d like that.” I hadn't seen him since Glitter City when Creed brought him to the all-rookie game so that he could see Mercy play.

While I liked the west coast and I understood why they’d want to move there, I, too, felt sad that there wasn’t a place for us in their new home.

Dare gave me a long look. “I know you have complicated feelings about the parents, but maybe reach out to Mama? She says she texts you, but you hardly ever text back. Don’t judge her the way you do the alpha parents? Now that she’s away from Mumsy, she’s different. Baba’s still sort of a dick, though.”

“I guess I could give her a chance. I mean, I gave Dad one.” Tonight I’d sent him a picture of Dare performing. Though Dad had always been supportive of his music dreams.

Taking a selfie of us, I unblocked Mama and sent it. This time, I didn’t immediately re-block it and added a picture of him onstage.

But I didn’t send her the video that I’d sent Chance.

The university square was festive, filled with lights and music. Stalls of delicious smelling food and drinks surrounded an outdoor ice rink. We got hot booze and snacks, chatting and laughing. It was fun to meet Dare’s friends and watch them joke with each other.

They all decided to go ice skating.

“You’re not coming?” Grif asked, a frown on his lips as Dean dragged him off to the skate rental counter.

I wish. “I’ll watch. It’ll be fine.”

Getting more hot booze and some cinnamon almonds, I sat down and watched them. I checked the score of Mercy’s game. They were losing, but it was close.

Mama had texted back.

Mama

I’m so glad. I miss you. Are you coming to visit with Dare?

Me

Mercy only has a few days off. We’re going to Creed’s. Let Chance come? I miss him.

I took a big gulp of my drink, the hot booze warming me. Dare raced Grif down the ice. Jonas and Dean skated while holding hands. The guys ice skating in their suits and nice coats was a great look. Dean had on his red beanie with a matching scarf. Grif had on a matching red beanie. AJ’s scarf was designer. Jonas had a leather jacket over his suit, no scarf or hat.

Mama

Maybe Dare can change your Baba’s mind.

Ha. Unlikely.

AJ and Grif were holding hands while skating. Aww.

Mama

Love you.

Did she? I knew she cared. But sometimes I wondered. A little lonely and wistful, I sent the picture of me and Dare to the sibling group chat as I finished my hot booze.

A pair of skates dropped next to me as Dare appeared. “I’m pretty sure Grif will hold your hand so you can skate.”

“I might need more than that.” I really wanted to be out there with everyone. But I wasn’t as stable or strong as I used to be.

“You have half a hockey team, and Cow Boy’s good. They’ll hold you up.” Glancing at the ice, Dare smirked.

“AJ’s a retired hockey player.” I put my skates on and left my stuff with everyone else's, including my crutch. This was a bad idea. While I did my exercises most days, and worked out regularly, I’d missed my PT sessions lately because I’d been so busy.

“You can do it.” Dare put an arm around my waist, the other arm holding my hand, as he led me out to the ice.

My leg didn’t enjoy balancing on a knife, but my body itself remembered. It was like two parts of me warred, going oh, I remember this while also thinking this is a bad idea.

“I shouldn’t do this.” My belly twisted as my feet hit the ice. Who’d take care of Mercy if I broke something?

“You’re fine. Should I pull you or do you want to skate?” Dare asked as we inched out onto the ice.

“I don’t know,” I said as I let him pull me.

Grif skated over to us. “Hey, Gorgeous. You joined us. What do you need?”

“She knows how to skate. Just stabilize her. Though she’s steadier than she thinks she is. Don’t let her do any of those fancy jumps she used to do, and she’ll be fine.” Dare grinned.

Grif smirked. “You were a figure skater?”

“No. But the parents forced Creed and I to do pair skating for a while when we were young because sibling pairs are cute.” I made a face because it wasn’t very fun.

“I’ll leave you to it.” Dare skated off with his friends.

“Pair skating?” Grif chuckled. “I’m picturing you in a sparkly little outfit.”

“Yep.” I loved the sparkles, the hair, and the makeup–of the others. Mine were always hideous.

AJ joined us for a little while, as did Jonas and Dean. It was fun, and the rink was pretty with all the lights and decor. So festive.

“Our turn. Like I told you before, I won’t let you fall,” Dean told me as he and Jonas joined us.

“Next time we’ll get you stability skates. They’re double bladed, so it’s easier,” Jonas told me.

Both of them put their arms around me and we skated around the rink. Grif joined AJ. It was mostly students, though there were some families and older couples.

Finally, my leg buckled, tired of this.

“I know what we can do.” Grif joined us and faced me. He put my arms around his neck, and his own around my waist. “Lean against me and relax.”

Grif began to skate backwards, a little faster. Leaning into him, I let him do all the work, carrying us across the ice. Something wet touched my face. I looked up.

Snow fell lightly. Which only made the moment more magical. Here I was, skating with the man I was in love with, as the snow fell.

I gazed up at him. “This is perfect.”

“We need one more thing.” He leaned in and kissed me, still moving, because apparently he could kiss and skate at the same time. The kiss was warm and sweet, his lips tasting of booze and cinnamon almonds.

When he broke off the kiss, his forehead touched mine. “Now it’s perfect.”

“Eww, I don’t want to see my sister kissing.” Dare laughed as he skated by.

“No. Now it’s perfect.” Dean sandwiched me between him and Grif as we continued to move across the ice.

“Join us.” I waved AJ and Jonas over, not wanting them to miss out on the fun.

“What is this ridiculousness?” AJ skated backward like Grif and put an arm around his waist.

“It’s warm,” I giggled, the snow still coming down. “Alpha Jonas, we need you, too.”

Jonas, skating forward, took Dean’s waist, on the opposite side of where AJ was. The five of us skated in one big, silly, group, as holiday music played and snow fell.

I’d been wrong. Now it was perfect.