Deserted - Auctioned

“Only if you can’t control your temper,” Gray replied. “Borrow some of mine at Mom’s and see for yourself. Especially the Vapor and the Trigger Aiden got me last summer.”

“The Vapor is a good one,” Craig said with a nod.

Interesting. His voice didn’t make an impact either.

Gideon turned pensive and practiced a few shots while Jayden watched, utterly intrigued. And it gave Gray no choice but to face his former coach.

“Long time, no see,” he said lamely.

Craig mustered a small smile, and his dark eyes became misty. “I’m so glad you’re home, Gray. I thought I was going to lose my mind when…”

Gray cleared his throat and shifted awkwardly. He didn’t want this to drag out or get serious.

“I moved out of the house,” Craig admitted. “When you went missing, I couldn’t hide my worry for you. She caught on, and I said I wanted a divorce.”

“All right.” Gray folded his arms over his chest and side-eyed Jayden. He was busy cheering for Gabriel when he caught Gid’s pucks.

“You’ve moved on,” Craig stated quietly. “I can see it in you.”

Gray nodded with a dip of his chin. “I’m not the same guy anymore.”

“And you’re with someone…” Craig glanced toward the exit.

“Darius—yeah.” Gray couldn’t hide his happiness completely. “It’s new, but…yeah. He knows me better than anyone.”

Craig stuck his hands down into his pockets and stared at his feet. “I had a feeling I’d lost my chance. I made you wait too long.”

“You did a lot more than that.” Gray frowned. Just because he didn’t feel anything didn’t mean the man couldn’t evoke fierce reactions, and if Craig thought all he’d done was keep Gray waiting…? Hell, did Gray have news for him. “I tried repeatedly to move on—for fuck’s sake, I quit the team—and you insisted on pulling me back. Constant texting, empty promises, pathetic love declarations—all while you stayed with your wife. I was a mess.”

Craig cringed and took a step back. “You’re right. I know, you’re right. I was a coward—a desperate fool.”

Darius and Justin were on their way back.

Gray wanted this to be over. At least this was one thing he could leave behind. “Get out of the closet, Craig. You’re just gonna die miserable and full of regrets if you don’t stop hiding who you are.”

Craig drew a deep breath and nodded once, and then he must’ve spotted Darius, because he straightened and composed his expression. “I’m sorry for how I treated you, Gray. I really am. You deserve much better than that.”

Gray lost some of the tension in his shoulders. “Thank you.”

Craig offered a final nod, and that was it. He walked over to the twins and told them to go home and get something to eat, ’cause he wanted them sharp for practice in a few hours.

A breath gusted out of Gray, and he ran a hand through his hair.

That was one chapter of his life he could finally close.Gray didn’t know what side of Justin they saw at the shelter, but the boy hadn’t been remotely close to being difficult all day. Sure, they had to get creative with communication at times, but so what? Justin needed time to adjust, that was all.

He was beyond adorable, and even more so after they’d eaten at Darius’s restaurant.

The fish camp stayed true to its theme, and the interior consisted of fishnets in the ceiling, wooden barrels under the tabletops, tea lights in little bowls filled with sea glass, old photos of fishing boats and crews on the walls, and a ship’s wheel above the register behind the bar. It was cozy and not too loud, thanks to the establishment being divided into two sections, cut off in the middle by the bar and the entrance. One side was reserved for a bar crowd, and the other was for dinner guests.

Having wanted to stay close to Darius, Gray and the boys had chosen the far corner of the bar. Additionally, it was too early for the bar crowd, so Darius wasn’t overly busy.

They’d brought Justin’s booster seat for Jayden to sit better on his stool, whereas Justin himself had opted to sit on Gray’s lap, where he was now asleep.

Definitely no complaints from Gray. Justin’s legs hung limply off each side of Gray’s lap, and even his little sneakers were fucking cute.

“Told you he sleeps early,” Jayden said, finishing the last of his fries. “Can I eat his fish sticks?”

“Dig in.” Gray switched their plates, glad that Jayden had a strong appetite.

He had a particularly big appetite for ketchup.

Darius came back after having poured a bunch of beers for some dinner guests on the other side of the bar. “What’s the verdict, guys?”

“Amafing,” Jayden said around a mouthful of food.

Gray grinned at him before shifting his gaze to Darius. “Best flounder I ever had.” He wasn’t lying either. He’d always liked fish, and everything on the menu had sounded fantastic. The smell of grilled fish continued to give him glimpses of a past he’d rather forget, but it was getting easier.