Chapter 82 Chapter 82 Gross
It takes me forever to shower with these crutches. I manage with just one of them in the stall and drying it off carefully when I’m done. Every movement is slow, awkward, and frustrating. By the time I’m finished, I’m exhausted.
Thankfully, my sweats fit over the knee brace. Mia helps me fix my face, with some makeup. Yesenia does my hair. They both look so damn cute in their dresses, all put together and glowing, while I’m stuck in sweats—but with their help, I still feel somewhat beautiful.
The whole team exits our rooms at the same time, like we planned it. We’re heading down to dinner at the hotel restaurant. Illia Sr. invited everyone—the team and all the parents. We leave for home tomorrow morning.
I’m slower than everyone else, so I hang back.
That’s when it really hits me.
I’m going to spend Spring Break on crutches.
The thought lands heavy in my chest, dragging my mood down even further. Fucking bullshit.
When I get off the elevator, I see Grant handing Yesenia his son. Our eyes meet immediately, and I know—he wants to talk.
“Do you want me to carry you?” Ivan asks, suddenly right next to me, startling me.
“NO!!!” I snap, louder than I mean to. “Go inside. I’ll be right in!”
Ivan looks Grant over, his eyes narrowing slightly, but he doesn’t argue. He heads inside.
I make my way—slowly, painfully—over to Grant. We move off to the side, out of view from the restaurant entrance.
“How old are you?” he asks, his voice low and cold.
“Eighteen.”
“I’m twenty-six.” He drags a hand over his face. “Why didn’t you tell me you’re in high school? I would have never—never tried to pursue you. Jesus, I feel like a damn predator. I have a son, Elle. A son.”
He doesn’t even give me a chance to speak.
“Did Mason know?”
I nod.
“What about Sergey? OMFG—you dated him last year, that means you were…” He trails off, but his expression hardens even more. “Why are you always in clubs, drinking, wearing fucking nothing? You live alone. Where the fuck are your parents?”
“Okay, you know what? You need to fucking calm down,” I fire back. “Mason knew. His whole family knew how old I am and that I was still in high school. Sergey is fucking Sergey—but also Alek.” I pause, forcing myself to breathe before I explode. “And don’t fucking worry about my parents. I do whatever the hell I want. I told you I wasn’t for you, and that this would crash and burn.”
“Who the hell was that guy kissing you on the sidelines?” His jaw tightens. I can’t even tell if he’s more pissed about my age or that.
“Dimitri’s brother. Ivan. The rest of the guys with me? His brothers. And his dad.” I take another breath, my knee throbbing hard enough to make me wince. “Before you ask—Dimitri and Ivan are twenty-two. I’m not underage. What is your problem?”
“You’re too young for me. That’s gross. You’re a kid.” He steps back like I burned him.
“I can’t stand anymore. I’m done arguing.” My patience snaps clean in half. I can’t deal with him calling me gross—not now. He wasn’t saying that when his dick was inside me.
Don’t cry.
You’ve seen him three times. Twice was just sex.
“Don’t fucking call me gross!” I turn and slam right into Dimitri.
He catches me instantly, lifting me up with one arm like I weigh nothing, grabbing my crutches with the other.
“How bad are you hurting?” he asks, his voice low.
I don’t answer. I don’t even know how to answer that.
Because it’s not just my knee.
He carries me inside and sets me down at the table.
All the guys are there with Illia Sr., gathered around a large table. Janet and Tiana are already seated between Jax and Leo. Tiana looks so damn happy it’s contagious. Yesenia sits next to her dad with Ryan, while Grant walks in a moment later, still looking pissed.
Mia and her mom glance at me as I settle in.
Ivan immediately pulls me into his lap, like it’s the most natural thing in the world. Dimitri lifts my left leg and rests it across his own lap.
Great.
Now we look like a full-blown threesome.
Tiana glances over at me and covers her mouth, trying—and failing—not to laugh.
I introduce Janet and Tiana to the guys while a waiter moves around the table taking orders. Illia Sr. turns his attention to Janet, laying on the charm thick. And suddenly, I get it—the reason he has so many kids with so many different women.
It’s effortless for him.
I fiddle with the edge of the cream-colored tablecloth, zoning out a little as the guys talk over each other in different languages.
Ivan leans in close. “How do you feel?”
I just shake my head.
“Sneak out tonight. Come see me.”
“Are you nuts?” I whisper back. “Does it look like I can sneak anywhere? My knee hurts so bad there’s no way I’m sleeping tonight, and tomorrow’s drive is going to be a blast.”
Servers bring our drinks. I take a sip and glance over at Yesenia.
Grant is watching me.
Of course he is.
Coach Jones stands up from his booth, Assistant Coach Kelly rising with him.
“I just want to say it’s been a privilege to watch you ladies grow over the last two years,” Coach says. “I’ll miss coaching you, but I’m excited to see where life takes each and every one of you.”
He grins—and looks straight at me.
Oh no.
“What I will not miss is the conversations I’ve overheard. I thought the boys were bad—the girls are worse.” The table laughs. “I’m mostly talking about Elle. Never a dull day with you.” He points at me. “Now get up here and say something. You’re better at this anyway.”
“Coach!” I groan.
He gestures again.
Ivan and Dimitri help me stand.
“Ear muffs,” I say, glancing directly at Grant. “My language is colorful.”
Grant immediately covers Ryan’s ears.
“My fucking knee hurts like hell,” I start, and a few people laugh. “But it’s been an honor to play with all of you. Don’t apologize, buy the damn shoes, eat the cake, and fuck the guy. Life is too short. Don’t ever give someone another chance to hurt you twice.”
Laughter ripples through the restaurant, and my girls start chanting, “Devil! Devil! Devil!”
Once the food comes, I can barely eat. I pick at it, moving things around more than actually taking bites. My appetite is gone.
Ivan drapes his arm across the back of my chair.
Dimitri immediately smacks it away and replaces it with his own.
They keep shoving at each other like idiots.
“They can’t share forever,” Sal says, grinning. “Eventually, you’ll have to pick one.”
“Do I, though?” I scrunch my nose and laugh.
“Turning your phone off doesn’t work,” Dimitri says, winking at me. “It still records what you say.”
Tiana bursts out laughing again.
He leans in, his voice low. "I'm so glad you enjoyed blowing me."