Worth the Chance (Watertown University #2)

22. Eliza

Chapter 22

Eliza

Y esterday I found out that Garrett’s birthday is today, Sunday November third. I don’t know how we never talked about birthdays as I love celebrating other people's birthdays but it just never came up. I got a text from a random number yesterday afternoon which turned out to be Bryan letting me know Garrett was sulking because I wasn’t coming to this away game but also asking me if I had anything planned for his birthday on Sunday.

Upon hearing that I immediately drove to the store to get all the necessary ingredients for a birthday cake, plus other party supplies like streamers and balloons. Mia was kind enough to get some beer, she even found gluten free beer, which makes me feel even better about having that in the house.

The boys are scheduled to get back to campus around one today so I have been working hard all morning to get the place in party mode. The boyish party decor clashes with our girly home but it’s the thought that counts, right?

As I’m frosting the cake there’s a knock at the door. I swing it open to a smiling Mia who come’s with the beer and the extra hamburger meat and buns. Inviting a whole hockey team over probably requires more than one pound of ground beef.

“Thank you so much, Mi’s.”

“Of course El. Does he know anything’s going on?”

“No, I don’t think so, unless one of the boys says something to him. Hopefully he’s not someone who hates surprises.” I cringe at the thought of it. That would be an epic fail.

“I’m sure he’ll appreciate that you're doing this for him. Maybe so much so that you’ll get a little treat after.” She winks and I laugh. “Have you talked about what happened last weekend?”

“Nope. He didn’t say anything and I’m being cool, following his lead.”

“Being cool aka having a massive crush on the guy.” Mia teases as she helps me pour different snacks into various bowls.

“I do not have a massive crush.” She levels me with a stare. “I don’t!” I stare back at her but she has a better poker face than me. “Fine. I have a little, teeny crush on him.”

“Hah! I knew it.”

“Anyways, what’s going on with you and Bryan?”

“He asked me on a date.” She shrugs nonchalantly.

“Oh my gosh! Mia! You said yes, right?”

“I did. We’re going to Nico’s sometime this week.” Nico’s is a charming, nice Italian restaurant in town.

“That’s so exciting!” We spend the next hour chatting about her date and then other random topics as we get the space ready. I open the back sliding door so just the screen is separating the inside from the outside. With it being November the air has really started to turn and there’s a bitter chill but I have a feeling that with all the bodies that are going to be in here the chill will bring a nice reprieve.

Outside I uncover the grill. Thanks to my stepdad I know how to operate one. My parents thankfully replaced the grill from the one my brothers had to a new one over the summer before I moved in. I’m grateful for that as it’s coming in handy now but I’m not sure how often they thought I’d be grilling.

“The team is on their way here!” Mia peeks her head outside. Bryan is in charge of keeping Garrett from leaving right away so the boys on the team have a chance to get here and head inside. Their cars will be lining the street, probably confusing the hell out of Garrett but that’s the best I could do with such short notice.

Minutes later the team starts to pile in. Alex greets me with a hug and some of the other guys thank me for having them. Everyone disperses around the room, a lot of the guys gravitating to the kitchen counter or coffee table where snacks are laid out. This house isn’t big enough for us all to hide and yell surprise when the birthday boy gets here but I still think it’ll be a fun surprise when he walks through the door. My phone chimes and I grab it off the counter, giggling as I read the notification.

Garrett

OMG. Bryan won’t stop talking to me. Just tryna get home already.

Ding, another message.

Garrett

Seriously, this man won’t shut up about what to wear on Wednesday with his date with Mia.

Ding, again.

Garrett

On my way home, finally. See you soon:)

The string of texts makes me laugh. “All right everyone, Garrett’s on his way!”

Ten minutes later a big smile crosses my face as Garretts jaw drops. Some of the guys have party blowers that they let off as he comes in, others cheer and say ‘happy birthday’. Garrett looks behind him to Bryan with a questioning eyebrow and when he shakes his head, a big smile takes over that handsome face. His eyes dart around until they land on.

I’m standing in the back, out of the way of the guys near the sliding door. Garrett thanks his teammates as he makes his way through the space but doesn’t stop to have conversation with any of them.

“You did this for me?”

“Surprise.” I say sheepishly, suddenly feeling a little shy. “I hope you don’t hate it.”

“Hate it? How could I hate it? This is the nicest thing anyone’s ever done for me.” Our eyes stay locked on each other until someone clears their voice besides us.

“Sorry,” Mia smirks, “Want to get started on these?” She holds up a few bags of buns.

“Oh, yeah, let’s do that.” I nod to her and she heads out the back door to the grill. “I’m going to get started on the hamburgers can’t have a ton of hockey players starving on me.”

Mia and I man the grill, getting out as many hamburgers as possible. Once we have a tray full Mia brings them inside for the guys to get started on and we make another batch. Forty hamburgers later we finish up the final batch and we assemble our own right away so that we actually get to eat. The party has shifted to being half inside and half outside which leaves a couple spots open on the couch. I plop down, thankful to be off my feet and get something in my stomach.

Garret t

From my vantage point of the kitchen I can see Eliza on the couch, finally taking a break. I told her midway through her making all the burgers that I could take over but she insisted she was fine. I’m chatting with a couple of the guys on the team but my vision remains on the girl on the couch. Alex plops down next to her and I have to stop myself from shooting daggers into the back of his head. It’s not like he doesn’t know she’s my girl.

I try to contribute to the conversation I’m half in with the guys but it’s proving difficult when El keeps throwing her head back and laughing at everything Alex says. He’s not really that funny, is he?

“You’re down bad, G.” Tyler, one of the other seniors on the team laughs as he catches me staring. “Never thought I’d see the day.”

“Thank god he went and fell in love, leaving some girls for the rest of us.” Anthony, a junior, laughs.

“Right? Now that he’s off the market the girls act like the rest of us exist.” The guys all have a laugh. In truth, girls did use to throw themselves at me but it’s not like the rest of the team was hurting when they were looking for a hookup.

After a few hours some of the team heads out but some of the guys I’m closer to hang around and we all eventually migrate outside. We have a little fireplace out back that I set up. We’re all drinking beers and ciders as we sit around it. The low flames trying to battle the nip that’s in the air.

Finally, Eliza comes outside and she’s carrying a chocolate cake with lit candles on it. El, Mia and the guys all break out into song but I can’t take my eyes off Eliza as she walks over to me with the cake.

“Make a wish.” She holds out the plate in front of me. I smirk and then blow out the candles. “I’m just gonna go cut this up, I’ll be right back.” I follow her inside, needing to be close to her .

“Let me help.”

“Oh, Gar, you don’t have to do that. It’s your birthday.”

“Please, El, you’ve already done so much.” Together we slice the cake and bring it back outside to the others. The guys moaning as the double chocolate hits their taste buds. Eliza smiles to herself at the reaction from the crowd. I take back my original seat and since we don’t have too much furniture out here El hovers near me as she eats her cake.

“Come here.” I pat my lap which gets me leveled with a look. She doesn’t move so I tug her wrist gently, bringing her closer to me. “Sit with me.” This time she obeys and sits in my lap, fidgeting a bit which doesn’t bode well for me.

“Am I too heavy?” She turns her head, her eyes lock with mine and there’s genuine concern there.

“El. I squat at least twice what you weigh.” She studies me for a moment before deciding I must be telling the truth.

With the cake long gone, the paper plates burned in the fire, El relaxes more into my arms, letting her head fall back against my chest. We sit like that, me holding her in my arms, the fire keeping us warm for who knows how long. It feels surreal to be holding her like this. Holding someone, touching someone so intimately is foreign to me but with her it just feels right.

The guys all chat about the past few years playing for Watertown. It’s mostly all the seniors left at this point so this our fourth season playing together. For some of them it’s the last time they’ll play ice hockey. I’m not the most sentimental person, I don’t get attached to places, but I know I’m going to miss this.

It’s when Mia and Bryan get up to head out that I notice El is knocked out. Can’t blame the girl, she’s done so much today to get this party set up. I’m not even sure how she knew it was my birthday but my best guess is Bryan told her. Shortly after their departure the rest of the guys leave, putting out the fire as they do.

I stand carrying El in my arms inside the house and up the stairs. The girl doesn’t so much as stir until I lay her in her bed. Those hazel eyes crack open slightly and she offers me a contented, sleepy smile. “Happy Birthday, Gar.”

“Thank you, cupcake.” She falls back asleep effortlessly. I can’t help but watch her for a moment. She looks so at peace. It hits me that that's exactly how she makes me feel. She makes me feel at peace. She makes me feel a million other things as well but peace is one I’ve never really felt with anyone before.