Page 10

Story: The Riskiest Move

CHAPTER 10

GRIFFIN

T he music and upbeat chatter provide pleasant background noise as I leave the bathroom and walk toward the kitchen. Grabbing another beer from the fridge, I pop the cap free and take a deep pull. All the talking I’ve been doing made me thirsty.

I move toward the crowd gathered around the island, where all the food is spread out, and slide in next to Thor.

He hits my chest with the back of his hand. “You didn’t tell me your stepsister was such a looker.”

“How do you know what she looks like?”

He gestures to the other side of the island. “She’s right there.”

My gaze follows the direction of his hand, and I find a different version of Christine than I’ve ever seen. She’s dressed in fitted clothing that shows off gentle curves I wasn't even aware she had. I haven’t seen her wear anything that wasn’t two sizes too big, so it takes me a beat or two while I try to reconcile the two versions. It’s like looking at her with new eyes, which is the last thing I need. I was already a little enamored with her, but now I also know she’s a goddamn smokeshow.

She smiles at Ron, one of my teammates, and he leans closer. Oh, hell no.

I promised my dad I’d watch out for Christine, and I’m not about to let some baller lure her in with some flirting.

Stepping up beside Ron, I grip his shoulder. He gives me a questioning look. “Why don’t you go grab something to eat?” I suggest.

“Sure thing,” he agrees, walking away.

“What are you doing?” Christine asks, throwing her hands up.

“I’m protecting you.”

“From what? Having a conversation?”

“No, from my teammate who’s a known womanizer.”

“Griffin, you’re taking your stepbrother status too seriously. I look young for my age but don’t mistake that for meaning I’m naive.”

“I never assumed you were.”

Her expression is skeptical. “If that were true, you wouldn’t have scared your teammate off.” I open my mouth to disagree, and she raises her hand, silencing me. “You would’ve let me mingle like everyone else, or at the very least observed me to ensure I was handling the situation just fine.”

I was only trying to look out for her, but I see her point. “I’m sorry, and you’re right. I shouldn’t have stepped in without having a reason.”

Head canting, she stares at me. “Wow. That was unexpected, and I forgive you.”

“That easily?”

“Of course. Are you used to women not accepting your apologies?”

“Yeah, eventually, but not instantly. Apologies usually go hand in hand with some hoop jumping.”

“Well, that’s not how it works with me. If you tell me something, I’m going to believe you… until you give me a reason not to.”

I shake my head. “That won’t happen.”

Scarlett appears next to us. “Griffin, stop hogging my new friend.”

I grin. “Oh no. I’m not letting her anywhere near you and Autumn. You both date my teammates. I’m trying to save Christine from that same fate.”

Scarlett hooks her arm around Christine’s and raises her chin challengingly. “How do you feel about hockey players? River might like to meet her.” Scarlett mentions a player for the Virginia Vipers who I’ve recently become friends with through Cooper. The two of them went to college together.

“Yeah, that’s not happening. Hockey players are even worse than football players.”

“Then I guess you’ll have to trust me like we just finished talking about,” Christine says.

“I can do that.” I hold my fist out and she bumps it with hers. I may not be able to stop her from conversing with the male partygoers but I can certainly remain observant where she’s concerned.

Autumn sidles up next to Christine, handing her a drink.

“Thank you. What is it?”

“It’s a mistletoe margarita.”

“Ooh, a seasonal drink.”

Autumn winks at her. “It’s my new favorite.” She gently taps her cup against my stepsister’s. “Drink up.”

Christine takes a small sip. Her eyebrows rise and she takes a deeper pull before lowering the cup. She licks her shiny lips. “So good.”

Autumn preens. “I’m glad you like it.”

Christine swallows down another gulp. “You can keep these coming all night.”

Autumn grins. “That’s the plan.”

“Maybe you should eat something,” I suggest to Christine.

“Maybe you should mind your business and let her have some fun,” Autumn fires back, dragging her off with her.

Watching them filter into the crowd, I’m assailed with mixed feelings. While I can count on my teammates to do the right thing on the football field, that doesn’t mean I trust them with Christine. And knowing I might be taking my big brother role too seriously doesn’t lessen my concerns. There’s an innocence about her that brings out a protective side of me I wasn’t aware I had until a few minutes ago, and I can’t seem to shut it down. But I promised I’d trust her judgment, and I intend to follow through.

Tipping my bottle back, I swallow a mouthful of the cold liquid.

“What’s got you looking so serious?” Cooper asks, stopping next to me.

I shrug, trying to appear more nonchalant than I am while keeping an eye on Christine. “Just observing.”

He follows the line of my sight to where the three girls are engaged in conversation with River and two of my other teammates.

“Don’t worry. Those two are harmless,” he says, referring to Scarlett and Autumn.

“I know they are.”

“Gotcha. You’re worried about the guys corrupting your sister?”

“Stepsister,” I quickly correct. “I’m not worried so much as I’m feeling protective of her. I don’t know why that is, and it’s weird.”

Cooper nods. “I don’t think it’s weird. She’s living with you, and even though that was thrust upon you, it’s only natural you’d feel a sense of responsibility for her.”

“Yeah, maybe. Plus this party isn’t her scene.”

“She’s with Scarlett and Autumn. They won’t let anyone mess with her. Besides, she seems to be doing fine on her own.”

Christine laughs at something River says before she answers in return. I can’t read her lips but everyone standing with them breaks into laughter.

“You’re right. She’s fine.” And I’m being creepy as fuck standing here watching her.

Cooper and I head to the makeshift bar set up in the corner of the dining area. Thor is pouring shots for Rogan and himself but adds two more when he sees us approaching.

“What are we drinking to?” Cooper asks.

Rogan clears his throat. “To playing our best football in the postseason.”

“Cheers.” We raise the small glasses and down the whiskey shots.

“One more,” Thor says, adding more whiskey for each of us. “What are we drinking to this time?” he asks.

“To the New Year. Out with the old and in with the new,” I say.

They simultaneously chorus, “Cheers.”

“Mmm.” Cooper smacks his lips together. “Good stuff.”

“Only the best for my brothers,” I say.

More of our teammates join us. The volume and tone of the conversation grows rowdier as we rib one another. If shit talking was a sport, the Silverbacks would win the championship every year. A few more shots with toasts are had, and my naturally boisterous personality comes out. I love parties and hanging out with people I care about. Thriving in social situations has always come easy for me, and making people laugh is one of my favorite things. I lose track of time until someone announces there are thirty seconds until the new year. My teammates disperse, looking for their wives or girlfriends, leaving me alone with Thor.

He smirks. “Pucker up, sweetie.”

I laugh. “Fuck you. I’m not starting the year kissing your ugly mug.” Looking around, I see Christine talking to River, and my feet reflexively start moving in that direction.

The partygoers start to count down. “Ten. Nine. Eight. Seven. Six.” I reach her at five. Her eyes flash wider at four. “Three. Two. One. Happy New Year!” I tug her into my arms before River can, and spin her around. “Happy New Year, Christine.”

Her obvious surprise morphs into celebration with her laughing in my ear as I whirl her around a few more times. I press a kiss to her cheek, setting her down. My hands go to her arms, making sure she’s steady before I release her.

She smiles up at me, causing a strange twinge in my chest. “Happy New Year, Griffin.”

I’m about to reply when she’s swept away by Scarlett and Autumn and into a group hug.

Shaking my head, I turn and find Rogan and Cooper smiling and wearing matching expressions of adoration. Those two fell hard for their women, and they seem pretty fucking happy about it. I’ve never had a long-term relationship that made me feel so enamored. I’m not sure I’m capable of finding someone who’s the right fit for me, and I wouldn’t even know where to start looking if I wanted to.