Worth the Chance (Watertown University #2)

36. Eliza

Chapter 36

Eliza

L ast weekend Garrett had an away game, it was only an hour away so I easily could have gone to it but I chose not to. I felt quite bad about it to be honest. I know how much it means to him to know someone is in the stands for him but we’re not a couple neither fake nor real so it didn’t make much sense to go. Living together has been okay since I told him we couldn’t be a couple. I’ve avoided spending too much time alone with him because it still makes my heart hurt.

Despite my better judgment I’m going to tonight’s home game. He doesn’t know and I plan on showing up just a bit late and sitting in the back so he’ll have no idea. I don’t want him to read too much into me coming but it’s hard to not lay out all my cards to him. My feelings for him haven’t just magically gone away over the past few weeks but I’ve been protecting my heart and I’m not sure if I’m ready to let that guard down.

Mia and I walk into the arena just a few minutes into the first period. Now that Mia’s dating Bryan I tried to tell her she didn’t need to come late or sit far back with me but she insisted on doing so. She said, “Listen El. I really like him but I love you and he’ll understand me not being early and front row for one game.” I really did find the best, best friend in her.

We find a few empty seats in one of the back rows. My eyes immediately find Garrett and watch him as he effortlessly glides across the ice. God, it’s really annoying how hot that is. Garrett manages to score a goal in the first period and then passes a shot to Alex who scores one in the second. The team they are playing against, the Lions’, also have two goals. They also seem to be playing what I would consider extremely aggressive. Number fifty five has already ended up in the penalty box twice.

I can see our boys growing visibly agitated at the force which some of the Lions’ players are checking our team with. While I understand they want the puck something isn’t sitting right with me. Alex has the puck now but number fifty five on Lions’ doesn’t seem interested in him. No, he has his sights set on Garrett as he flies into him, with his shoulder from behind. The force at which he throws himself at Gar has him trying to catch his footing but before he can the same guy checks him again sending him into the boards and down with a thud onto his back. I shoot out of my seat with a gasp as it happens.

Get up, get up, get up. I chant the words over and over in my head but he doesn’t. Thankfully, I can see him move his arm, like he’s waving someone over. If he’s moving his arm he has to be okay, right? The athletic trainer rushes over to him doing some kind of assessment. Mia grabs my hand, squeezing it hard.

“He’s okay.” Mia whispers just loud enough for me to hear.

“We don’t know that.” I can barely get the words out but my brain can’t help but go to the worst case scenario.

“Look he’s getting up.” He swings one arm around the athletic trainer’s shoulder and Bryan skates up on his other side allowing him to rest his other arm around him as they get him off the ice .

“I’ve got to go.” I grab my bag from my seat and try to take off but Mia’s hand tied to mine stops me.

“El, hold on.” She quickly grabs her own bag, slinging it over her shoulder. “We don’t even know where to go.” I freeze when we’re in the halls outside the arena. She’s right but if I had to guess it would be near the locker rooms. I practically drag Mia down the hallways to the locker room area with me. When we get there Bryan is waiting like he knew we'd be here.

“Bry.” Mia sounds surprised to see him. I thought maybe she texted him but I guess he wouldn’t have his phone on him anyway.

“Hey baby.” He looks at Mia with adoration in his eyes. “El. If you go straight down here and take a left, that's where the training rooms are.”

“Thank you.” I jog down the hallway, anxious to see him with my own two eyes. I hear Mia start to ask something about how he knew we’d be there. Which I’m curious to know the answer to but not right now. I keep going down the hallway, once I make the left turn there’s a few different rooms but most have the doors closed and lights off so I go straight past those and towards the ones at the end that I can see streams of light coming from.

I pause outside one of the rooms I can hear soft voices coming from. My heart’s racing and I can’t stop twisting my fingers in knots. He has to be okay. I hear one of the voices subside followed by the sound of a door closing, that snaps me out of my panic haze long enough to make my way the five more feet to the doorway.

My eyes immediately land on Garrett, who’s sitting up on an examination table. His shirt is off, showing the beginning of scattered bruises along his back. The sight alone has me sucking in a breath. Garrett’s head whips around at the sound, his eyes almost softening as they land on mine.

“El. ”

“You’re okay?” The words are shaky as they leave my lips. It’s taking everything in me to keep it together right now.

“I’m okay. Just a couple bruises.” I lose it immediately. The tears stream down my face as a sob chokes out of me. Garrett’s on his feet and closes the space between us instantly. He engulfs me as a hug, supporting my weight as my emotions pour out of me. “It’s okay.” He whispers in my ear, stroking my hair.

“I… I was so scared, when you didn’t get up, Garrett.” I pull back slightly, shaking my head. “My brain went to every worst case scenario.”

“I’m sorry for scaring you.” He continues to stroke my hair with his eyes locked on mine. With one hand he uses the pad of his thumb to wipe away some of the mascara that’s smudged under my eyes.

“Gosh, I probably look insane.” I go to wipe away my own makeup but Garrett stops me, threading his fingers through mine.

“You look perfect. You always do.” His eyes flicker to my lips for the briefest moment. I take the ounce of bravery that small action gives me and capitalize on it. Getting on my tip toes, I put one hand on the back of his head and pull him into me. My lips meet his for a sweet, short second before he pulls back. My eyes go wide and my cheeks flare immediately.

“El.” He caresses the side of my face but I can’t even look at him as embarrassment floods through me. “Cupcake, please look at me.” My eyes reluctantly meet his. “This. Us. It means something to me. If we kiss, I want to be the only person you’re kissing. I want you to give me a chance because I want to give us a chance. I really freaking like you El. I know I messed up but I’ll do anything to make it up to you.”

“When I saw you get hit out there, it scared me because I thought I might not have a chance to tell you that I still want you, Garrett. I know nothing’s guaranteed but god, if we give this a real go I think we could have something special.” Garrett’s grin goes impossibly wide before he leans down and presses his lips against mine. The kiss is soft at first but it quickly becomes more passionate, like we’re making up for lost time. Effortlessly, he hooks his arms underneath my thighs and hoists me up, my legs naturally wrap around his waist. I could stay like this forever. Kissing him.

“Oh!” A feminine voice exclaims, causing us to jerk apart. Garrett’s eyes go wide as he takes in the person at the door. I turn my head around and follow his gaze. A woman in her fifties stands in the doorway. As my eyes connect with hers it becomes clear exactly who this is. She has the same chocolate eyes I’d recognize anywhere. It’s Garrett’s mom.

“Mom. You’re here.” I unhook my legs from his waist but he doesn’t let go right away. Keeping me awkwardly pressed against his body and floating in the air. I shimmy a little wanting to get down and run away, honestly. The first time I meet his mom and she catches us making out? Great, just great. And it’s not like we’ve even established that we’re dating now so I’m just some girl. Some girl who kisses injured hockey players. Oh god. Garrett finally puts me down but he doesn’t fully let me go. He takes my hand and pulls me close to him so now we’re both facing his mom.

“My first game in years and you give me a heart attack.” She laughs lightly but you can tell she’s also concerned for her son.

“Sorry ‘bout that. Just got the wind knocked out of me is all.”

“I’m just glad you’re okay.” She reaches out and gives his arm a small squeeze. “You must be Eliza.” She smiles and extends her hand out to me.

“I am. It’s nice to meet you, uh, Mrs. Moore.”

“Please, call me Cathy.” There’s the briefest moment of awkward silence. “Well I better get going, I don’t want to hold you up.” She gives us both a smile before turning around .

“Mom, wait.” Garrett steps forward. “Are you staying in town?”

“I am, didn’t want to drive back too late.”

“Do you want to come over for dinner?”

“Oh, I’d love to but I don’t want to impose.”

“You wouldn’t be.”

When we arrive home Garrett starts on the chicken parm. His mom and I both sit at the counter watching as he gets it all ready to go. We’ve mostly just made small talk but she seems like a lovely woman.

“Gar, why don’t you go shower, I can finish up.” He did the part I don’t like, battering the chicken, and it’s already cooking in the oven. I would just need to finish the pasta and sauce.

“Are you sure?”

“Yeah, no big deal.” I get out of my seat and round the peninsula into the kitchen.

“I’ll be right back.” He places a swift kiss on my forehead before heading out of the room. My cheeks heat knowing his mom watched that interaction. Which I guess is really nothing compared to what she saw earlier.

“It’s so nice to see my son love.” Hold up, did she just say love?

“I don’t know about love.” I pour the noodles into the boiling water.

“He might not realize it yet but I can see it. He’s falling for you.” There’s a smile on her lips. “Thank you for giving that to him.”

“I don’t think I really gave him anything. I was just here.”

“Sometimes that’s all you need just to be there. I wasn’t there for him when he needed me most and it will forever be my biggest regret but I can rest a little easier knowing he’s met someone that made him get rid of those crazy notions he was holding on to in his head.” Garrett and I still have a lot to talk about. We both said we want this to be real but I hope he’ll tell me more about how he got those ‘crazy notions’ in his head. I think it’ll be imperative to know if we’re going to make it.