Page 100 of A Little Jaded
“I mean, yes,” I offer. “It’s a little messed up, but?—”
“Do you know if he told her to cut anyone else out? Like Mav or Reeves or…anyone?”
I lift a shoulder, hating the position I find myself in and how distraught Griffin is because of it. I’ve never gotten this vibe from him. He’s always so laid back. So easy-going. Pretty sure Griffin is the definition of Golden Retriever energy, yet here he is, looking closer to a Rottweiler.
“Just you,” I admit.
His knuckles turn white around the steering wheel. “That’s what I thought.”
“I’m sure he’ll cool down and let it go,” I add. “Just give it some time, you know?”
Griffin scoffs. “Yeah, I thought so, too, but she hasn’t answered any of my texts since the bar.”
Shit.
Not exactly a good sign. No wonder he was giving his phone the death glare when I climbed in.
“Do you like her?” I whisper. Maybe it’s a stupid question, and maybe I shouldn’t even ask, but stepping into a friend group as close-knit as this one makes me feel like I’m tensteps behind. Like there are dynamics and relationships right below the surface, making each scenario hard to read. Like this one. Finley and Griffin. Griff has been so busy with hockey and…who knows what…that we haven’t really gotten to know each other. Hell, we’ve barely talked. He’s the quiet one of the group. The thinker. The one easily overlooked. And for some reason, it makes me more curious than ever. Honestly, he couldn’t be more opposite to Finley if he tried. Even their complexions are different. Light brown hair with gold highlights and tan skin to Finley’s dark brown, almost black hair with pale, ivory skin. He’s tall. She’s short. He’s quiet and observant. She’s loud and impulsive. He eats, sleeps, and breathes hockey, and she couldn’t care less about the sport.
His silence is deafening, though. It makes me squirm in my seat and pick at my nails until I can’t help but give into my own impulsiveness and add, “Let me rephrase. Does Drew have a reason to be wary of your relationship with Fin?”
He presses his forefinger to his temple, rubbing in slow, small circles like he’s fighting an impending headache, and states the obvious. “She’s Everett’s little sister.”
“Not exactly an answer,” I point out.
“I think she deserves better.”
“Someone like you?”
He shakes his head. “Nah. We wouldn’t be good for each other.”
My brows lift. “Why not?”
“For one, she’s Everett’s little sister.”
“You mentioned that.” I bite the inside of my cheek. Seriously, how did I not see it before? One, that this guy is absolutely adorable, and two, that he’s clearly in love with Finley. Curious, I push, “What does Ev have to do with it?”
His full lips are nothing but a slash of white as Griffinturns down the road toward the duplex. He’s still in his head. Still overthinking. Still going crazy. Scrubbing his hand over his messy hair, he finally says, “He’s protective of the people he cares about.”
“Yet he’s fine with Finley dating Drew,” I point out. “Which, as you’ve already alluded to, is problematic because Drew has a few red flags, right?”
“Finley’s stubborn,” Griff argues. “And Ev’s been distracted lately.” His eyes find mine again. “No offense.”
“None taken,” I reply.
“I don’t think Drew’s good for her, but I also don’t think it’s my place to throw a fit about it, especially after the shit she pulled at the bar. If I do say something, I have a feeling they’ll look at me like you are.”
“And how am I looking at you?” I ask.
“Like I’m a pathetic, lovesick puppy.” He pulls into the driveway and shuts his car off. “I’m only thinking of Fin, is all.”
“I think Fin can take care of herself,” I reply, carefully. “And if—orwhen,” I emphasize, “she realizes Drew isn’t the one for her, she’ll come back around. She has to.”
He nods slowly, his eyes glazed. “Yeah, we’ll see.”
Reaching for the door handle, I add, “Thanks for the ride.”
“Thanks for the therapy session,” he quips, giving me a full-blown, contagious lopsided grin.