Page 88 of A Little Secret
Not the time, Finley.
I tear my attention from Griffin’s bulge in time to witness my brother’s teeth grinding, and for the first time ever, I have enough empathy to not want to sweep this under the rug or make light of his overbearing theatrics. Ev has every right to be shaken, and if I’m being honest, so do I. This entire situation is…a little much. But even so, I can’t make myself regret it.
Also, did Griffin just admit he had feelings for me since high school? Be still my pattering heart. Seriously, I would swoon if I wasn’t terrified of Everett throwing another punch at his best friend because of me.
“You told me if I touched her, I could kiss our friendship goodbye,” Griffin continues.
“You said you were joking,” Everett defends.
“Yeah, well, I wasn’t.”
My sternum aches from the pressure his words bring, and I press my fist against it. He’s telling the truth. Everett threatened him? Seriously? I mean, I guess I shouldn’t be surprised, but still. Knowing they actually talked about me is kind of…flattering in a really twisted, messed-up way, but also a little heartbreaking because…well, because I know how much their friendship means to each other, and here I am, coming between them.
With a wave of his hand, Everett snaps, “And here you are, fucking her in plain sight.”
You read my mind, brother.
“Not exactly how I would’ve wanted our coming out party, but it is what it is.” Griffin offers his hand to Everett. “And yes. I’m aware that if I hurt her, you’ll kick my ass.”
My brother only stares at it. “So, you two are official?”
“We haven’t gotten that far,” I interject.
Griffin’s hand falls, and he glances over at me. “Your sister’s stubborn, and since she just got out of a relationship, she wants to take things slow.” It’s a lie. Partially. I mean, yes, I’m stubborn, and yes, I just got out of a relationship, and I want to take things slow, but the truth is, being pregnant and trying to navigate through all of this is messy and confusing and overwhelming, and I’ve never liked Griffin more for taking all of it into consideration without holding any of it against me.
“Let me get this straight,” Everett demands. “You’re saying that taking shit slow is fucking her in the men’s locker room?” Another scoff escapes him. “You shouldn’t have touched her until you were both ready to commit.”
“Funny because if you played by those rules, Raine would’ve taken your virginity,” I snap. “Now, get off your high horse, Everett. I’m allowed to sleep with whoever I want.”
My brother’s nostrils continue flaring, and he opens his mouth to say something when Griffin cuts him off. “I’m in this for the long haul, man. I promise. And despite the shit your sister’s spewing, I wouldn’t have touched her if I didn’t think she felt the same. I wouldn’t do that to you.”
Without a word, Everett turns on his heel and storms out of the locker room. The door slams against the cinderblock, and I flinch at the sound, moving toward a frozen Griffin at the center of the room.
“I’m sorry,” I whisper. “And thank you. Again. Seriously.” I touch his shoulder and move in front of him.
“Shouldn’t have touched you here,” he mutters.
A smile teases the edge of my lips as I peek up at him. “Pretty sure I found it hot as hell until my brother walked in.”
Like a dam, his stoic expression breaks, and his shoulders vibrate with amusement as he scrubs his hand over his face. “I can’t believe Ev walked in.”
“I mean, I could’ve been sucking you off, right?” I offer. “So, you know, look at the bright side.”
He shakes his head. “That’s what you call a bright side?”
“I mean…”
“Your brother seeing me balls deep inside of you is better than you swallowing my cock?” he challenges.
With a grin, I shrug. “Well, when you put it that way, I guess it’s kind of debatable, isn’t it?” I press my hand over his bare chest. “To be fair, it’s not like Everett’s one to talk. He had a sex video circulating not too long ago, remember?”
“Yeah, but,”—he lifts his hands in air quotes—“to be fair,it wasn’t his fault.”
The man makes a good point, but I don’t back down.
“Well, neither was this,” I argue. “The door was closed, so…in a way, this is kind of on him, if you think about it.”
He cocks his head. “Are you always this stubborn?”