Page 78 of The Curveball
My mom laughs, giving Darren a little pat on the head. “Oh, these boys were bottomless pits.”
I stand, smiling to hide my own disquiet. “Speaking of Griffin, I better go find him.”
“I think we’re going to head,” Darren says, pointing at Sawyer who finally passed out on his chest.
I give my nephew a little kiss on the forehead, then give my brother and sister-in-law quick hugs.
“Wren.” Giana stops me halfway to the bakery. Smile still in place, but her eyes say something else. There’s worry behind the light. “He’s probably getting ready to go home too.”
“Oh. Okay.” I look at the bakery, unsettled. “Thank you for inviting me today. I loved meeting you so much.”
She hugs me. I stiffen at first, heart racing. But, strange enough, little by little my muscles start to relax in her warm arms.
“It was my pleasure.” Giana pauses for a few breaths. “I think you are such a good thing for my son.”
I open my mouth to respond, to thank her, to rant and rave how Griffin is good for me, I don’t know what I planned to say, but it’s cut off when the back door opens and Griffin emerges with his teammates.
Even without being near him, I know something is off. His eyes are shadowed, his spine curves slightly. He’s barely smiling. Like his mother, he’s putting forth a decent effort, but it’s failing.
“Ready to head out, Birdie?” He hooks an arm around my shoulders, pulling me close to press a kiss to the side of my head.
“Yeah. Whenever you’re ready.”
“Cool.” He trades my embrace for his mom. “Talk to you later, Ma.”
“Bye, baby.” She beams at him. “Call you soon.”
Griffin dips his chin, then laces our fingers together and drifts around the yard to bid farewell to everyone still lingering. I make plans with Marti to go shopping, and Skye reminds me I still haven’t gone out with her and Alice for lunch.
Fifteen minutes pass before we finally drive away. In the jeep, Griffin hardly says a word. He holds my hand over the console and keeps his eyes straight ahead.
He feels a million miles away, and I don’t know how to reach him. It’s a helpless sort of feeling to watch the man I’m falling in love with pull away.
CHAPTER24
WREN
“I enjoyed tonight.”Slow and steady, I try to hedge words out of him.
“It was good to get together.” His lips twitch into a small grin, but it fades too fast.
To see him like this is strange. He’s a constant flare of energy. His smile is contagious, and I’ve caught myself wondering sometimes if Griffin knows how to have a bad day. I’m not sure how to weave my way through this.
I lift his hand and rest my cheek against the back of it. We’re quiet on the drive back to the house. I never let go of his hand but to exit the car. We come through my side of the duplex. Griffin slumps onto the couch and starts inspecting an early copy of my book.
Clearly, he’s upset, but I count it as a win that he’s still here with me instead of pushing me away and going to his side of the house. I excuse myself to change, and quickly dress in a comfortable V-neck T-shirt, and a pair of thin sleep shorts. I remove my contacts and slip on my glasses.
Once I’d only show my casual side to family or close friends, but Griffin has a way of making me feel like I’m gorgeous no matter what.
If I’m lucky, maybe he’ll let me snuggle him all night until he forgets whatever is worrying him. Before stepping back into the living room, I stop and enjoy the view.
He’s the most attractive man I’ve ever dated. The way the light adds a few caramel highlights through his hair makes me want to run my fingers through it. His arms flex as he flips through the pages of my book, his biceps large enough he should be imposing, when in truth those arms have become the safest place in the world.
To think how it all could’ve been different. How I would’ve missed out on this moment, this peace, if I’d kept the walls in place and avoided the draw to be near Griffin Marks.
My car might be the casualty in this, but I’m so glad he rammed into me that night.
I settle beside him on the couch. He opens one arm, ready to draw me into his side, but his eyes fall to my neck.