Page 57 of The Curveball
CHAPTER18
GRIFFIN
Her brothers lefttwenty minutes ago, and Wren and I have done nothing but make small talk over cookies. But the tension is growing. We need to talk about what happened. What is going to happen.
With a heavy sigh, Wren slumps against the wall. “I hope they weren’t too harsh when you first showed up. My Auntie Cleo set them loose on you.”
“Your brothers are cool guys, Birdie.”
A slight eyeroll at the nickname, but at least she’s smiling. “They’ll do.”
I pull out one of the chairs and pat the seat, waiting until Wren joins me at the table. We’re quiet for a few breaths, then Wren’s toe taps mine. “There was a second there you looked a little down when Thing One and Thing Two asked to get together. Don’t feel obligated, or anything.”
I swallow thickly. “No. I liked it, but I got the vibe you wouldn’t like it, and I understand. Probably best to keep things friendly but shallow.”
Wren’s face pales again. I’m starting to wonder if she has an issue. Maybe low blood pressure or something, but she gnaws on her lip, and I understand. She’s nervous.
“You think I didn’t like it?” she whispers.
“Yeah.” I say it, but the confidence in the word isn’t there. “You had a face.”
“A face.”
“Like you heard your dog died.”
“I’ve never had a dog.”
“Fine. Like someone burned a book,” I say. “I get it. I don’t need to insert myself into your family when you’re not comfort—”
“I liked it.” Her voice is small. A whisper, and I’m not positive I heard correctly.
“What?”
Wren shakes her head, but she meets my eyes. “I liked the idea of it, and it took me by surprise. I think you’d get along with my brothers incredibly well, and I liked the idea, okay? I . . . I liked thinking it would be you.”
She pins her gaze on the table, avoiding me now, and I have a feeling it’s intentional.
Wren Fox liked the idea of me being around her brothers. Her family. The woman might as well have gotten on one knee and asked me to be hers.
My pulse thrums with adrenaline and if I start rambling about this, I’ll end up embarrassing her by gushing about how much this matters to me. How muchshematters to me.
It takes a lot of effort—a lot—but I manage to clear my throat, and keep my voice calm. “They’re good guys. I’d like to get to know them more. So, I guess this means you’re good with our families meeting?”
“Inevitable.” She shakes her head. “Griffin, what am I doing? I’m a liar and I’m dragging you down with me. Get out while you can, Marks.”
“Nah. I like it here.”
“You say that now, but I had to save your life this morning because my family was forming a militia.”
“Do explain.”
“They might’ve been polite, but trust me, my family will be happier thinking we’re more than mortal enemies while I’m staying here. If not, they’d start questioning you, irritating you; they’d probably kidnap me in the night.”
“I didn’t know we’d advanced to mortal enemies.”
“It was discussed at last week’s relationship meeting. Did you miss it?”
“Must’ve.”