Greya's POV....

"This is it ladies. Win or go home!"

My coach is attempting a pep talk. She wants to win, this is what we've been working towards all season. Her job consists of recruiting the best of the best and training us to win games. Her career as head coach literally depends on us making it to the championship game.

We had a bye last week so we're in the quarterfinals today.

"We're going to play quickly out of the back and find our midfield. Midfielders are to look for Greya. Get her the ball."

She turns to me, "Greya, forget about the easy passes, you receive the ball and put it to the back of the net."

"Yes Coach." No pressure or anything.

As coach continues her speech, I close my eyes and try to block her out. Everyone expects me to perform. My coach, my teammates, our fans are all counting on me to bring us to the next game. I'm not a one man team, I need my defense and midfield to pass the ball up to me in order for me to score. I have faith in my team that they can do exactly that. Our coach has molded us to play this way. I know I can score too, though there's always the chance I'll make a mistake and turn the ball over and my team has difficulty transitioning when that happens. That's where the pressure comes in. I'm not allowed to make mistakes in the final third. Succeeding requires my absolute attention; something I know isn't possible when I have Loxley on my mind.

I've always used soccer as a way to escape all my problems, push aside my worries, and completely emerge myself into the game. I've been able to do it for years, through the deaths of my parents and grandmother, the demands of being Chase's guardian, even after I thought Becker had died; soccer was my outlet.

Lately, my mind isn't capable of forgetting about Loxley when I'm on the field. His happiness and well being is currently my top priority and knowing he's ok is the only way I'll be able to perform at my best.

There's a chance he may not make it to this game. He had a rough day and by the time I left him, he was barely walking from his room to the couch.

"Bring it in!" My coach yells.

We all huddle in a circle, our hands on top of one another's as we shout, "Go Bruins!"

The stadium is packed. UCLA students are holding up signs with my name on them, fans from the other team sitting on the opposite side, cheering just as loudly. The noise is insane, that I can block out.

Suddenly, I'm concerned that this is too much for Loxley. Could the noise trigger a seizure?

There are so many people, I'm having trouble finding Fynn and Chase.

"Greya, warm up your offense!" Coach yells over at me.

She's right. I need to focus and warm up. Everyone's counting on me, I remind myself. 

I'm nervous, which is unlike me. This is normally my comfort zone, noise and all. But today's different; I'm different. Playing anxious is never good.

"Grey! Grey! Over here!" I hear Chase through the crowd.

I scan the bleachers and spot Fynn, followed by Chase pushing Lox in a wheelchair and Cohen behind them. They're walking up the handicap ramp, Chase waving in my direction while miraculously steering Lox's chair in the right direction. Cohen's helping him of course and as soon as they squeeze into the space meant for wheelchairs in the front row, I run over to them.

I didn't know he had a wheelchair or ever used one, so I automatically think something's wrong.

"Hey guys! I'm so happy you're here!" I give Chase a quick hug.

"Good luck Grey!" Chase says.

"Yeah, go get 'em," Cohen says next.

I look over at Lox. He smiles at me but I can't seem to smile back. I'm worried about him and I can't hide it very well.

"I didn't think you'd make it," I admit to him.

"I w...wasn't going t...to miss i...it, so C...Cohen b...bough this t...travel chair f...from the pharmacy f...for me."

I feel sick. My nerves are doing a number on me and knowing Lox is struggling yet he still came to watch me play. I'm relieved he's here, though at what expense.

"Greya, l...look at m...me."

I do as he says and see him smiling. His aqua eyes shining with happiness. He's happy to be here, that's all I need to know.

"I'm f...fine, I p...promise. Now p...please go out th...there and enjoy y...yourself. P...play your g...game th...the way y...you know h...how," he smiles again.

My heart calms knowing he's here and he's fine.

"Don't worry about any of us, we're here to support you. This is your time to shine Grey!" Fynn adds in his motivational two cents.

"Thanks guys, see you when it's over!"

It took another ten minutes into the game for all my anxiety to reside. When it did, there was no stopping me after my teammates got the ball up to me. The opposing defense tried to kick it down the field as far away from me as possible when they could. It worked for them one time before I countered with two back to back goals. My third goal happened in the last five seconds, giving us the 3-1 win. I dropped to the ground when the ball hit the back of the net as all the emotions I've been consumed with ripped through me like a tidal wave.

My teammates rushed over and piled on top of me, cheering and chanting my name. I'm happy I didn't disappoint them.

When I walk back towards the bench, I see the national coach waiting for me. I'm honored to be offered a spot on that team, but I'm not sure it's what I want or how I'd be able to play for them and take care of Chase. With Loxley back in my life again, I'm uncertain about everything.

So as usual, we chat for a bit, I stay interested in the offer because I still have some time to make up my mind. I'm their top recruit, so they aren't giving up on me. They would accommodate me with whatever I might need. If only my life was simple, I'd say yes to their offer in a hart beat.

Chase comes running to the bench, reminding me of how important my decisions are and who they will affect. Fynn is pushing Lox's travel chair with Cohen following.

I meet them at the gate so we can talk before I go to the locker room to shower.

"Fynn says we'll grab dinner on the way home," Chase tells me.

"Ok buddy, I'll hurry up and see you at home soon."

Fynn walks over, leaving Loxley with Cohen.

"Thanks Fynn, I'll be home soon. Grab me a greek salad and a chocolate milk please."

"That's a weird combination," he makes a face at me.

"I just ran 90 minutes and that's what I'm craving."

"If you say so. Come on little man." Chase holds Fynn's hand while they walk to his car.

I turn to Cohen and Loxley. Cohen is gripping onto the wheelchair handles, ready to push him somewhere.

"I can take you home if you want to wait a few minutes for me?"

"Actually, C...Cohen and I h...have plans t...tonight."

I look at Cohen and he nods. Okay. That's good he's up to hanging out with Cohen. He must be feeling better.

"How's your leg doing?"

"B...better, I c...can't walk f...far, that's why w...we got th...the chair. I'm g...glad we d...did because w...watching you p...play was th...the most amazing th...thing I've ever s...seen. You w...we're incredible out th...there."

"Thanks Lox, and you too Cohen for being here."

"Wouldn't miss it. And I expect you at my game tomorrow," Cohen smirks.

"Wouldn't miss it." We all chuckle.

Cohen backs away to give us a little privacy. I want to hug or kiss him but the angle is awkward with him in the chair.

"Are you in any pain? We're you able to get more stretching in?" I'm worrying again.

"C...come here," he reaches his right hand out to me and when I grab it, he pulls me down to sit on his lap.

He pushes a strand of my hair behind my ear and then brushes his hand across my cheek, trailing his thumb over my lips and gently kisses me.

"I'm n...not in p...pain. The ch...chair makes i...it easier for m...me. N...now I c...can use it wh...when I'm h...having a b...bad day."

"But..."

His finger is on my lips and he shushes me.

"N...no buts. I l...like kissing y...you, so k...kiss me."

No objection here. We kiss again, briefly because Cohen is a few feet away waiting for him.

"I'll b...be out w...with Cohen. P...promise you w...won't worry about m...me."

"I can't promise you that. I love you too much not to worry."

"P...promise y...you'll try."

"I'll try," I give him one more peck before getting up from his lap.

Cohen comes over and grabs the handles again and wheels Lox around in the direction of his car.

"Come on love birds, we'll See you tomorrow Greya," Cohen says while walking away.

Later that night I send him a quick text and fall asleep before he responds.

When I wake up, I see he hasn't texted me back. So instead of dwelling on it, I help Chase with his morning routine and drive him to school.

Lox probably figures I'll be swinging by his place like I have been in the mornings.

The problem is, Lox isn't home when I get there.

"Where is he Liam? Did he come home last night?"

"He spent the night out with Cohen. They came here after your game and Lox packed a small bag. They said they couldn't tell me where they were going because I wouldn't agree with it." He's packing his book bag and trying to avoid talking about it. He's concerned just as I am.

"He's with Cohen, so I'm sure they're fine," I try to convince Liam and myself.

"I'm not worried about that. I'm worried about where they went. He's been talking about wanting to know who he was and if he went back to our old house , maybe that would trigger his memories....I don't want him to remember those things, but he thinks he'll find answers to why all this shit's happened to him." He drops his bag onto the counter and sighs.

  "He believes he's not good enough for you Greya. He loves you and in his mind, his past makes him unworthy of our sacrifices we make helping him through his disabilities... it's crazy, I know."

Poor Liam and poor Lox. They've been through hell and back and still can't seem to find the light beyond the shadows. It appears non of us can.

"It does sound crazy. There's no rhyme or reason for why Jack abused him or why your mother wasn't capable of staying around for the both of you. And being the son of a murderer is purely bad luck. Your past is a series of unfortunate events, out of your control. Just like mine. I don't want Lox to remember the bad things either, but if he does, maybe he'll realize none of it was his fault. None of it was your fault either, Liam."

"I know and I've come to terms with that. Only, the last three years I've kept our old life from him and besides his physical ailments, he was happier not knowing. I want him to be happy. He's had too much disappointment in his life, he deserves to be happy."

"I'll do whatever it takes to help him find that happiness, however long, through whatever obstacle. You need to find your happiness too Liam. Get back into football again if you want. I'm here now and so is Cohen and Declan so find time for yourself because you deserve it too."

"Thanks Grey." He grabs his bag and I follow him out the door.

"See you at the game tonight?"

"Yeah, I'll be there."

We both drive off to class. Before heading to mine, I take a detour to the robotics lab. My friend Adam's been working on something that will support Lox's left arm while he plays the piano. I hope it works because it's exactly what Lox needs to find some of that light.