Graysons pov

"She mentioned using her feelings as fuel," I said to my sister. We were sitting in the crowd, waiting for the game to start. She was in the huddle and I watched her give her speech to the team. 

"Then she'll be fine. She's not like you, she can go an entire game without hurting herself."

"Sod off," I said and she laughed. 

They got into their positions, and I realised quickly that my eyes would be glued to her. She glanced at me and smiled and then they started. 

The first half was a struggle. She was centre forward so she had the ball a lot but she seemed in her head and kept mucking it up. It was 2 nill in favour of the other team and she was talking to the team. She looked like she was apologising. 

"You should see if she's okay," Lucy nudged.

"I can't go down there."

"Like that is going to stop you." I saw her break off on her own and she held her temple. I stood up and rushed down the steps and on the field. I went to her and held her hands. She threw herself into me, hugging me tightly. 

"I dont know whats wrong with me."

"Hey, Nora, you are an awesome player. You're just in your head. Stop thinking, everything will work out. I know you can do this, I see you every week. You're amazing."

"I'm going to listen to you, so if you're wrong then I'm blaming you."

"I'll take full responsibility." She nodded and took a deep breath.

"Thank you."

"Stop thinking," I said and I kissed her roughly. I pulled away and she blinked a few times before turning around. 

I joined Luce, and then the second half began. 

"Well, whatever you said worked." Luce said as we watched Eleanor steal the ball and get it over to their forward side. 

"Go Nora!" I yelled out, and she did a sly maneuver to dodge the opposing player and then she kicked it into the goals. I stood up along with the rest of the crowd.

She got a few high fives and she was smiling.

All of two minutes passed and she already had the ball again as she passed it to someone and they passed it to her again and she got another goal. 

"That's my girl," I shouted and Eleanor heard and smiled at me from the field. I felt my sister staring. "What?"

"You guys are like serious. I mean I always had faith in you two and I knew you guys would be good together but you two are seriously perfect."

"Shush, I'm watching." I pretended to ignore but I couldn't help but think she was right. We were amazing. When she mentioned this morning in bed how she felt safe with me, I had to take a gulp of air because I went weak. I could've died happy in that moment. I was so relieved she felt that way. 

"Oh, you know I'm right. Just get married now."

"I've never thought about that to be honest."

"Well start thinking."

"I don't think I'm the marrying type. I mean I love Nora but I'm not sure if that's us." She froze in shock and I realised why.

"You just said you love her. You're in love, oh my god, Graham, stop that right now. Have you even realised yourself?"

"It just kind of came out, but calm down."

"I cannot calm down, this is huge. Oh I'm so happy." She hugged me so tight, it amazed me how strong she was for her size.

It was tied now with 10 minutes to go. Could be overtime if no one scores and penalties too. 

She missed a goal and you could see the stress in both teams. Someone got a yellow card, a sub had to run in on Eleanor's team and there was only 3 minutes now. She looked over at us and I gave her a reassuring nod and she looked less stressed. 

With only a few minutes she managed to get the ball over but it went out. It was thrown in from the corner and she headbutted it into the goals. Her team carried her up as they all cheered and she looked so happy in that moment. 

Her team shouted Hamilton and they stalled for the last minute or so until the game was over. 

Everyone was clapping and shouting in a chant "Alexandria Spartans!". After her and her team group hugged, they made their way into their locker rooms and Luce and I ran down to her. She ran into me and I lifted her into a hug. 

"Thank you Ray," she whispered. I set her down and she stood against me, her hand gripping my jacket around my waist. She was facing my sister as she had been waiting to congratulate Nora. 

"Lenny, you were awesome," my sister said and side-hugged her.

"Thank you. I'd say come into the room, but we yell really loud, plus now we're in the semi's so we'll be worse."

"I'm surprised they haven't started already," Luce said and I laughed.

"Eleanor's the captain, they wait until she gets in there."

"Exactly," she agreed and Luce nodded. Eleanor faced me with a look, "and don't call me that."

"Sorry love," I said and kissed her forehead. "Go, we'll wait for you." She nodded and ran into the rooms, a smile on her face from ear to ear. I smiled as she went, happy she was happy. 

"So," my sister said and paused, "when are you going to tell her that you love her?" I rolled my eyes. 

<><><><><><><>

Eleanors pov

Today was the dreaded lunch. I had skipped breakfast, Gray let me stay under his covers and hide. He was back and was getting ready for his game today. The semi-finals, I had mine tomorrow. 

"You have to get ready love, didn't he say a car would be here to pick you up at 12?"

"12:30," I answered, pulling the duvet down so I was exposed. "I have to go back to Windsor to do that anyway, I have to wear a dress or something. Shouldn't you be off now?"

"Yeah, but I can walk with you to Windsor."

"Okay." 

He came to the side of the bed, he was wearing joggers and a fitted longsleeve. I didn't want to leave him. Or leave in general.

"Don't make me go. Tell the driver I had a stroke."

"Nora, you have to go. Get it over and done with."

"Ugh, why do you have to be right."

"I've always been right." I just gave him a look. He grabbed my hands and lifted me up and off the bed. I just stood there and he kissed me softly. 

"This isn't motivating me to leave quicker."

"Just stand there." He got my yoga pants, and put them on me along with socks and shoes. He took off his t-shirt I was wearing and I hugged my chest.

"Are you hiding yourself from me?" He asked, and he seemed almost offended. 

"No, I'm just cold," I chuckled, showing him my arm that had goosebumps. 

"Ah, alright." He put on my bra for and it took him 30 seconds to clip it on. He put on a tank top and then a jumper of his. "See, you're ready to go." He grabbed his bag and then my hand and we walked out. 

I was quiet during the work to my dorm, and he just held me close to him. I was nervous, but not to the point of a panic attack. Gray has helped me avoid that. 

We made it to my dorm and I saw him check the time. 

"I really have to go, but message me if anything is wrong," he said, looking more nervous for me than I was. "Anything, okay, I'll check my phone. Remember what I told you, and I'll see you after alright." I nodded and kissed him soft and slow. 

He was holding my face and his thumb was caressing my cheek. He did that thing where he pulled away slowly and held my bottom lip between his lips. He knew I loved it. 

"Don't worry about me too much, you have your game to focus on."

"I'm not even nervous for that," he said and kissed me once more.

"Bye, little siren."

"Bye Handsome, good luck."

<><><><><><>

"I have a few minutes before I have to go and watch Cohen," she said as she came into my room. "Oh and my brother," she added. "So what were you thinking?"

"Well, I'm thinking that it's the end of february." I quickly sat up from where I was lying on my bed. 

"That is a good observation."

"Luce! It's Graham's birthday next week." She just stood there in front of me, and crossed her arms. 

"Wow, you make me feel so loved."

"I know it's your birthday too, but I already have your gift, I got it like last year, but I'm a girlfriend now, I have to get him something nice too. Plus we weren't even dating and he got be such a thoughtful gift for my birthday."

"Alright, one problem at a time. I'll help you later with a present for my brother, but right now you need to get dressed."

"Fine, okay, okay," I repeated and she stood me up and went to my clothes.

"So, it's not raining today, you can wear a dress with-" she went to suggest but I gave her a look.

"The only dresses I own are dresses that require a pole to accompany them."

"Right, okay, how about a skirt," I gave her another look. "I'm guessing the same answer. Alright, but you know, you can wear stockings," she said and then she just rushed out.

"Um, what what just happened?" I yelled out. She came running back and threw things at me. 

"You're wearing this skirt, and these stockings and these boots, with this top and this jacket."

"This is perfect and the skirt is just short enough to piss him off and the stockings make it modest. Thank you, you may go now." She smiled and then gave me a hug.

"It will be fine."

"I know," I assured myself. "But text me about how the game goes."

"I will." 

I got ready, and I went out and walked to where a car was waiting and an intimidating looking man was standing in front of it. He looked young, probably only a year older than me. I could feel him looking at me through his sunglasses, so I just held my head higher, not allowing him to make me feel uncomfortable. 

"So how much did he pay you to do this?" I asked and the driver gave nothing away as he opened the door. But when I turned my head a way I saw him smirk in the reflection of the window. The smirk reminded me of someone. 

"So what's your name?" I asked, and he just drove silently. "Ah, you're mute. Alright, I'm going to call you Benedict. So Benedict, can I charge my phone?" He silently handed me a chord and I plugged it in and smiled as I started playing music loudly. "You're too nice Benedict." 

The music was calming as I tried to not be nervous and we arrived at the restaurant. I saw my father sitting out front on one of the outside tables, he was smoking and had his glass of wine already. 

"Wish me luck benedict," I said and he got out and came to my door to let me out. I took his hand and he held onto it still after I had gotten out. 

"My name is Tom." I gave him a closer look, and I took off his sunglasses. 

"Tommy?" I asked as I saw his brown eyes. 

"Eleanor." He said and he let go of my hand.

"You still work for my father's company?" I asked, giving him a look.

"Pays well," he joked.

"I don't give a flying fuck if he pays you a mil a day. Quit." I repeated knowing how my father deals with employees.

"I was going too, but he asked me to do this and I'll be honest, I really really wanted to see you."

"Oh shut up. We only did it a few times." He was an errand boy for my father and he was around the house a lot. Tommy came from nothing and my father took advantage of him. Made him to all kinds of shady stuff and my father may be a CEO, but he has other business as well. 

"Try 7 times." He corrected, and I thought back. He was the first guy I did it with, so I didn't have my ground rules yet. 

"6, that time didn't really count."

"For you it did." My eyes widened and he smiled more. 

"Alright, well, I have to go to a lunch, as you know. I can't be late."

"I do know what your father is like," he said and he looked more serious. He heard what happened at that infamous dinner and because our little fling was around that time, he had snuck into my room that night and held me while I cried; I didn't have many friends. It was what made me have the rule to never get emotional with guys I'm with. 

"Right, well I'll see you after I guess, seen as how you're driving me." I went to walk away but he grabbed my arm and pulled me back to him. 

"Will you be okay? I haven't forgotten. I'm not going anywhere, despite your father's orders so if you need to leave earlier, if he gets angry or violent, I'll be around the back." He still held my arm and I slowly pulled it out of his grasp and stepped away.

"Thank you Tommy, I'll be fine." I walked around and I looked back as he drove off. I took a deep breath as I approached the entry where a lady stood behind a lectern.

"Hi, table for one?" She said.

"No, I'm meeting my father, Mr Hamilton." Her smile faded slightly and she got more serious. Yeah, he has that effect on people. 

"Follow me," she said and I walked behind her as she guided me to his table. It was the corner, easy escape and he can see everyone in the restaurant. 

My father saw me a stood up giving me a once over, he kissed me on the cheek and I forced a smile.

"Hi father," I said as I took my coat off along with my bag. The girl put them behind my chair and she pulled it out so I could sit down.

"Eleanor," he said.

"Here are your menus, would you like a drink?"

"I'll have an Espresso martini please, thank you," I smiled and she nodded, about to walk off but my father raised his voice for her to back around.

"She will have a diet soda, and I will get a refill." She nodded, rewriting her note. "We don't need menus, I will have the steak, medium rare, and she will have the garden salad. Have them come out at the same time." 

I swallowed and sat straight in my chair. He is the same. 

"Did you get here safely?" He asked. The question had no concern for my wellbeing but to know about his employees.

"Yes, Tom drove safely. I'm surprised he isn't doing more serious work seen as how he has worked for you for almost a decade now."

"So you remember him. He hasn't been as loyal as I'd like him to be, and now not as professional. He shouldn't let you call him by his first name."

"He didn't say much, I call him that, because I know him. Don't punish him."

"I don't need your opinions on how I run my business, or anything else for that matter."

"Businesses." He deep breathed. 

"This is not the point of why I asked you to lunch."

"Then let's get to the point." He got a phone call and proceeded to answer and ignore me.

"I want it done today, if It cannot be done today you have until tomorrow to clear your things out of your office. Maybe you'll learn better time management then." He slammed his phone down on the table and I jumped. 

"Now, my news is that I have my wedding in May and you are going to be there. There will be an appointment for you to get fitted for your dress, I will contact you on the details."

"You're getting married? Does mum know?"

"I got someone to contact her, yes." A waiter came and refilled his wine and gave me my drink. 

"So who's the lucky lady," I said sarcastically. 

"Speak better," he warned. "Her name is Charlotte Bass, you will meet her at the fitting as her bridesmaids will be there also."

I held back making a sarcastic comment. "Alright."

"So how is school?"

"School is good."

"How is soccer?"

"Soccer is good too, I play in the semi finals tomorrow."

"Well done." He said and I mustered a smile. When I'm succeeding he's happy.

"I'm dating someone, father." I said, and he went to answer but our food arrived. It was awkward as the waitress put our plates down.

"Anything else you need?" She asked. My father kept glaring at me. 

"No, that's all." She hurried off.

"Who is it?"

"Graham Bradford." He sipped his wine.

"What does he study?"

"He does social studies. I believe he wants to become a paralegal." He nodded, easing a little as he approved more. He clasped his hands together as if this was a business meeting.

"Is it serious?"

"Yes."

"Then bring him to the wedding, I'll meet him." I nodded, picking at my salad. My phone started to ring and I went to grab it, it was Luce and I knew the game wouldn't be over and she would message about updates, which means something's wrong.

"Do not answer, that is disrespectful."

"So I am ordered to respect you, but you don't respect me?" I saw his jaw flicker which made me nervous. I answered and she was frantic, like she was running.

"Lucy what's wrong?" I asked, people around us were looking and my father looked palpable.