Page 53 of Playing Hard to Hate

GRIFFIN

PRESENT

Breaking News: Griffin Silver Named New Ace Pitcher for the Atlanta Braves!

The Atlanta Braves are wasting no time preparing for the upcoming season, and they’ve just made a blockbuster announcement. Griffin Silver is stepping up as the team’s new starting pitcher!

After a championship-winning season and an unforgettable playoff run, the Braves are looking to keep their momentum alive, and handing the mound over to Silver is a bold move.

Best known for his dominant performance in center field, Silver has proven to be a powerhouse player with an arm that could send rockets into orbit.

With longtime team leader and pitcher Jaxon Dexter officially retiring, the Braves needed someone who could fill the void, and Silver is more than ready for the challenge.

According to sources inside the organization, Silver has been working closely with the coaching staff during the offseason, perfecting his pitching mechanics and preparing to take on this new role.

“Griffin is an incredible athlete and one of the most dedicated players I’ve ever coached,” said manager Doug Kessler in a statement. “ He’s got the arm, the discipline, and the leadership we need on the mound. This transition was a natural fit.”

The decision to move Silver to starting pitcher might surprise some fans, but insiders say it’s been in the works for months. With a fastball that clocks in at the high 90s and an ability to read the game like a veteran, Silver could be the secret weapon the Braves need to dominate next season.

And let’s not forget Silver thrives under pressure. Whether it’s hitting a walk-off homer or pulling off a game-saving catch, the guy knows how to deliver. Now, he’ll be doing it from the mound, where the stakes are even higher.

What does this mean for the Braves?

A fresh, young ace to lead the rotation. And high expectations for back-to-back championships.

With spring training just a few months away, all eyes will be on Silver as he prepares for one of the biggest transitions of his career.

Can he live up to the pressure? Can he bring another championship home?

Stay tuned for exclusive interviews, inside scoops, and everything you need to know about the Braves’ upcoming season!

Dragging a tired hand down my face, I let out a slow breath, frustration simmering beneath my skin.

The tabloids had turned me into their favorite clickbait, and I was getting really damn sick of it.

It wasn’t enough that they speculated about every game, every move I made on the field, but now they were obsessed with my personal life, spinning wild stories about Tate and me heading down the aisle.

A week. We’d been dating a week, and somehow, they already had us picking out wedding colors.

All because of a damn jewelry campaign. The shoot had done wonders for Tate’s career, though, with booked-out schedules, major brand deals, and enough income to move out of that old condo into a new place right here in the city .

We weren’t an hour apart anymore.

She missed Millie. I would be a fool if I hadn’t noticed that, but they still saw each other every weekend, and as for me? I got to see Tate every single night.

And if I was really lucky?

She spent most of those nights tangled up in my sheets.

Dustin had gone home after we finished moving Tate into her new condo. He wasn’t exactly thrilled about her leaving her hometown, but she had stood firm in her decision. She wanted to be closer to me and to take advantage of the new opportunities the city had to offer.

One of the biggest perks of her new place was her proximity to my private gym. She no longer had to deal with prying eyes or men openly ogling her while she trained. The added privacy gave her a sense of security she hadn’t realized she was missing.

On top of that, she had recently started training a few teen girls there a couple of days a week.

It was a small but meaningful addition to her career, and from the way she talked about it, it was clear she loved it.

Seeing her so passionate about something outside of modeling made me proud, and I knew this was just the beginning of what she could build for herself.

Sunday night dinners had become rare ever since the playoffs. Life moved fast, and so did I, always chasing the next game, the next win, the next moment that might finally make him see me. And not to mention chasing Tatum.

Surprisingly, it was my dad who finally called two days after the terrible dinner with Tate.

He made an effort. His voice was steady but softer than I’d ever heard it.

Congratulations. Then, after a pause, came the words I had been waiting my whole life to hear, words I had once stopped believing would ever come.

I’m proud of you.

Something in me—something cracked and aching for years—finally mended.

I swallowed the lump in my throat and offered him tickets to the next season. He didn’t hesitate. He promised to be there with my mom.

And for the first time, I believed he would be.

Sitting at the kitchen island in my penthouse, I scrolled through my bank app, the numbers staring back at me.

The playoff bonus had officially hit my account this morning, and it was a damn good sight.

Not that I needed it. I was already set with my contract, endorsements, and the deal I was about to sign as the new starting pitcher.

But the win had come with a nice payday, and for the first time in a long time, I wasn’t thinking about investments, taxes, or financial advisers.

I was thinking about Tate. I wanted to spoil her.

Her car was a piece of junk. I’d been saying it since the first time I saw the thing, practically held together by prayers and duct tape. She swore it was fine, but I’d seen the way she clenched the steering wheel on the highway like the damn thing might shake apart at any moment.

Not on my watch.

I was getting her a new one. Something safe. Something sleek. Something she deserved.

I leaned back in my chair, stretching my arms as I picked up my phone and dialed Graham. “Hey, you got a second? ”

“For you? Always. What’s up?” he asked, sounding distracted.

“I need help picking out a car for Tate. Something safe but not too flashy, or she’ll fight me on it.”

Graham whistled. “She won’t like anything you buy. She’s very independent.”

“Probably,” I admitted, grinning. “But she needs it, and I don’t care if she fights me over it.”

Hunter joined the call a moment later. “Don’t listen to him. You want her safe, right? Her piece of crap isn’t going to make it another thousand miles.”

In the last month, Hunter and Tate had been spending time together, and he’d finally warmed up to her and was taking on the big brother role a little too seriously.

“All right, nobody asked you.” Graham sighed.

“I’ll put you in touch with my guy at the dealership. He’ll set you up.” Hunter ignored his twin.

“Appreciate it, Hunter.”

“Anything else? Maybe something I can help with?” Graham asked, amusement in his voice.

“Yeah.” I exhaled, rubbing a hand over my jaw. “I’m taking her on vacation before spring training starts.”

“Damn, you’re really excited to spend that bonus, huh?”

I didn’t even hesitate. “She deserves it.”

I heard them both chuckle. “All right, where you thinking?” Graham said as Hunter interrupted.

“Take that woman on a cruise. That will blow her mind.”

“I agree, but too public. Somewhere warm, private. Caribbean, maybe. She deserves to get away from all the chaos for a while.”

“She’s lucky to have you, man.” I heard Graham typing away on a keyboard.

I smiled. “Nah. I’m lucky to have her. ”

“Sent you a link to a resort. And Hunter’s on the phone with the dealership. Let us know if you need anything else.”

I stood in the dealership parking lot, arms crossed, admiring my latest purchase with a satisfied smirk. The sleek Range Rover Velar sat gleaming under the afternoon sun, its deep midnight blue paint job shining like the ocean at night.

It was perfect for her.

The final touch? A massive red bow placed dead center on the hood. It was a little cliché, but I really liked the idea of making the moment feel special. She deserved it.

My phone buzzed in my pocket.

Tate

On my way home. Where are you?

I couldn’t help the grin that took over, tucking my phone away. It was time to execute my plan, and I could only hope she would love it. No one had ever spoiled her like this, and I was so honored to be the man to do it.

By the time Tate walked through the front door of her condo, I was waiting for her, sitting on her couch watching the news, trying to play it cool. She had given me a key the moment we had gotten hers so I could come over anytime I wanted. I had given her one to my penthouse as well.

“Hey, baby girl,” I greeted, getting up to press a kiss to her soft lips.

She sighed into the kiss, her fingers curling into the front of my shirt. “Mm, what’s with the smug look? ”

I chuckled, stepping behind her and gently placing my hands over her eyes. “I got you something today.”

Tate stilled. “Griffin…”

“Trust me.”

She let out a soft laugh but didn’t resist as I carefully guided her out of the condo and down toward the parking garage. “This better not be something ridiculous,” she teased. “You’re not the type to prank me, but if I open my eyes and see a pink bicycle, we’re breaking up.”

I barked out a laugh. “Noted. No pink bicycles. What about blue?”

She giggled and shook her head, her laugh bouncing off the parking garage walls.

When we reached the right spot, I stopped, letting my hands linger a second longer before whispering, “Okay, open.”

Tate’s eyes fluttered open, and her breath caught in her throat.

“Oh my god.”

Her hands covered her mouth as she took in the brand-new SUV sitting before her, the giant red bow looking almost too big against the sleek hood.

“No. No way,” she breathed, turning to look at me, her wide eyes shimmering with emotion. “Griffin, tell me this isn’t what I think it is.”

I slid an arm around her waist, pulling her trembling body against mine. “It’s all yours, baby girl.”

Her lips parted, but no words came out. She looked between me and the car as if waiting for the punchline of a joke that wasn’t coming.

“You bought me a car?” She finally managed, her voice cracking.

I cupped her cheek, brushing my thumb across her skin. “I want you to have something safe, something reliable. No more worrying about your old car breaking down, no more stress. You deserve something good, Tate.”

She let out a shaky laugh, pressing her hands to her temples. “I can’t believe you did this.”

“Do you like it?”

Tate let out a choked laugh before throwing herself into my arms, wrapping her legs around my waist as she buried her face in my neck. “I love it,” she whispered, voice thick with emotion. “And I love you.”

My grip tightened around her. This was the first time she’d admitted it. I kissed her temple, murmuring, “I love you more, kitten.”

After a long moment, she pulled back, swiping at the tears on her cheeks. “Okay, but you know I have to drive it right now, right?”

I grinned, pulling the keys from my pocket and dangling them in front of her. “That was kind of the point.”

She snatched them from my hand, giggling as she ran toward the driver’s side. “I’ve never had something so nice before!”

I laughed, watching her slide behind the wheel, her excitement lighting up her entire face.

Yeah, this was definitely worth it.

“One more thing, baby.” Tate turned her curious green eyes in my direction. “Need you to drive us to the airport tonight.” I pulled a pair of folded plane tickets from my back pocket and held them up between us. The moment she realized what they were, her jaw dropped.

“A car and a vacation?” she gasped, stepping out of the driver’s seat. She smirked, hands on her hips. “That bonus must have been huge , Mr. Silver.”

Before I could respond, she let out a delighted laugh and ran straight for me, throwing her arms around my neck. I caught her easily, her body pressing flush against mine as she tilted her face up, peppering soft, slow kisses along my jaw.

I groaned, tightening my grip on her waist. “Just wanted to spoil you.”

She sighed against my skin, her breath warm and sweet. “You do, every day.” The words came out in a hushed whisper, like a secret meant only for me.

I slid a hand into her hair, tilting her head back so I could look into her eyes. “I’ve got a lot of time to make up for.”

Tate’s lips parted, her fingers trailing down my chest, and I knew I’d never get tired of moments like this, of the way she looked at me like I was her whole world.

“Where are we going?” she finally asked, voice breathless.

I grinned. “Guess you’ll have to drive us to the airport and find out.”