Page 21 of Griffin (Stone Brothers #5)

NINETEEN

GRIFFIN

T heo stayed in bed with a sprained ankle.

He'd taken a huge jump on his bike and somewhere in the middle of the flight, he and the bike parted ways and he came down on his right ankle.

My cousin was a mess, mentally, and it was affecting every part of his life.

I wasn't sure how to help him, but I hoped he'd get out of the funk soon.

Like Crusoe, I was sure it had to do with news that Lacey Michaels was getting married.

Theo and Lacey hadn't seen each other in years, but deep down, the guy always hoped she'd come back to Trayton one day and they'd get back together.

I was sure she was the reason he never found a steady girlfriend.

Not sure what excuses the rest of us had, but with Theo, it was always Lacey.

I reached the worksite just as Dad was pulling in. "No Theo?" he asked as I got out of the truck.

"He sprained his ankle taking too big of a jump."

"Fuck. Now we're down a man. Guess it's good he didn't break it.

I'll give Slade a call. I think his work's been slow.

" Uncle Slade took people out on deep sea fishing trips, but bookings always slowed as we got closer to winter.

Fortunately, Aunt Britton and my mom were doing really well with their real estate business which helped fill in the gaps.

I started off toward the trailer with the lockers. "Fin." Dad's deep tone sounded serious, which matched perfectly with the expression on his face as I turned around. He didn't need to say a word. I knew the family gossip chain was strong. He'd already heard about Shay and me.

"I'm just, we're just—oh fuck it. I really like her, Dad, but she's got a very messed up personal life right now, so that's what she needs to focus on."

Dad dragged his fingers through his hair, and his jaw twitched slightly. "I asked you specifically not to get involved with her. I don't ask that much of you, Fin."

"It's fine. Don't worry. But don't tell me to stay away from her cuz that's not going to happen. And like I said, I had nothing to do with Katie's leaving. She made the whole thing up in her mind. I never did anything more than say hello in the morning and have a few chats at break."

"But this time?" Dad asked.

I didn't answer.

"Fucking hell, Fin. And she's married."

"Yeah, to a piece of shit. She's going to get free of him."

Dad crossed his arms and gave me his "dad" look. "So, you're going to get yourself tangled up in her mess?"

"Hmm, like you did with mom's mess? I know you don't give out a lot of details, but I do know from a conversation with Slade that you nearly died in the process of freeing Mom from that asshole she was with."

"Slade and his big fucking mouth. And that was different. That was Mom."

"Who you barely knew yet you threw yourself fully into protecting her. I'm going to do the same for Shay."

Dad waved his arm dismissively. "That was different. I was in love with your mom."

"Exactly," I said to his retreating back.

He stopped and looked back at me. His hard expression softened, and he seemed to comprehend what I was saying. "But you only just—" He stopped because he knew how hypocritical he'd sound if he continued.

"When was it, Dad?" I asked. "When did you know Mom was the one?"

He smiled to himself for a second. "The moment I saw her sitting wet and shivering and lost, like a stray kitten, on the boat. I'd only known her an hour, and I knew right then I would move hell and earth to keep her safe, to keep her with me."

"Well then, old man, you know exactly how I feel.

" I turned and walked away. I didn't look back, but something told me he stood there for a few extra seconds with his chin on the ground.

Later he'd tell me it was just a fleeting thing, a crush, but I knew this was more.

I could feel it in my soul just like Dad had felt all those years back on their boat.