Page 83 of The Curveball
“You don’t divorce children, Wren.”
But you can push them aside. Tears blur my eyesight. How can he not see what this does to me every time I’m shoved into the same space as my former stepbrother? Time does not heal all wounds. Honestly, some scars are better left behind as reminders of those hardened lines in the cement. “Dad, please.”
He hesitates, but his voice is a tad softer when he speaks again. “If it matters so much, fine. I’lluninvitehim as professionally as I can.”
The underlying disappointment is thick, but Griffin’s night is more important than my father’s disappointment in his broken daughter.
“Thank you.”
I end the call before he can dig any deeper. Still idling in the parking lot, I rest my forehead against my steering wheel.
I’ve told Griffin nothing of my issue with this. He knows there is a story, how could he not? But he’s never pressed, never pressured.
I lift my head, an invisible weight curls my spine, but I pull back onto the road. Time to crack open the last bit of trust. He’s more than deserving, and for the first time, I think I want someone outside of my immediate family to know all of me.
To want all of me. Scars and all.
CHAPTER26
GRIFFIN
We’ve stopped announcingwhen we’re coming and going to the individual sides of the house. I think it’s the best idea we’ve ever had.
I haven’t broken the news to the guys yet, but when there is something exciting, sad, interesting, that flows through my head, my teammates, the best friends a guy could ask for, are no longer the first people I tell.
They’ve been dethroned by a tiny author who loves licorice to the point of obsession.
Wren has become the sun I choose to orbit, and I’ve never been here. Not really. Sure, I’ve had girlfriends, but the night I went into my shadow shell, Wren fell into a perfect step with me. As if she simply knew I needed her. I didn’t need to be fixed, I didn’t need her to tell me it would all work out, I didn’t need her to get irritated I was quiet.
She knew I just neededher.
Another solid reason to rid a few barriers between us. We drift through the entire house as we please, but still keep our things in separate spaces. I work out in my half; Wren writes in hers.
This morning I had the terrible idea to run with Ryder and Parker. They’re insane, and I’m never doing it again, but Wren was gone with the girls and without her around, I get bored.
It’s a strange sort of relief knowing she’s here now. Like I’d never need to be anywhere else.
She’s addicting, more than I thought she’d ever be. The woman has my heart in her palms and I have no plans of asking for it back. She’s more excited over the banquet than I am. Wren has a way of convincing me the smallest things that matter to me, matter to her.
After this dinner is over, I plan to soak up every lazy moment we have left.
Once the season starts again, we’ll need to change our routine. I’m not sure how married guys on the team, or those in relationships, do it. I’m already aching and throwing an inner temper tantrum for the time I’ll need to give the Kings.
Showered, with a flower in hand, I slip into her hallway and make my way to the living room.
I pause, smiling. Her laptop is open on the coffee table, but Wren is sprawled out on her back, her hands over her face, feet elevated on the couch cushion. A stick of cherry licorice is in her mouth.
With a few quiet steps I stop at her side, and lower next to her, mimicking her position.
Wren lifts her hands off her eyes. Where a cute scowl had been two seconds ago, my chest tightens when she smiles the second it registers I’m back.
“Hey, you.” She pulls the licorice out of her mouth and kisses me. “I thought I’d have to go out there and scrape you off the ground.”
“Almost. Those two are freaks.” She laughs and glances at the vibrant petals of the desert flower. I roll onto my side and brush the top over her forehead. “Saw this and thought of you. It’s the only thing that saved me, Birdie. I would’ve keeled over if I didn’t have to deliver it.”
“Griff.” She takes the flower and takes a long whiff. “You’re a delicious book boyfriend, do you know that?”
“Ah, so Nathaniel is based off me.”