Page 19

CHAPTER 19

CHRISTINE

D uring my break between classes, I grab an iced coffee at a nearby cafe. Removing my phone from my bag, I type out a text to Nelson.

Me: Hey! How’s it going?

He answers immediately.

Nelson: I didn’t wake up a millionaire, so I had to come to work. How about you?

His reply makes me laugh. It’s typical Nelson—sarcastic and dry.

Me: I’m on a break between classes, and I have news. Are you ready?

Nelson: Stop being dramatic and tell me.

Me: Last night Griffin asked me to date him.

Nelson: Did you say no?

Me: Ha! No, I said yes. We slept together too.

I quickly send another reply, clarifying.

Me: No sex.

Nelson: That was going to be my next question.

Me: You know me better than that.

Nelson: You’re allowed to change, Chris.

Me: I know, but we’re taking it slow.

Nelson: Don’t take it too slow. You’re only staying with him until the end of the semester.

Me: Ha. Ha. That’s quite an exaggeration.

Nelson: Only a little. You waited months with every boyfriend you had sex with.

Me: Yeah, and that hasn’t worked out for me very well. LOL. Maybe I need to get down to business.

Right away, I type out another text.

Me: My mom and stepdad are visiting for the playoff game.

Nelson: Tell your man I’ve got money riding on his team.

Me: I’m not telling him that! He has enough pressure to deal with.

Nelson: How do you think your mom will handle the news about you two?

Me: We decided not to tell them. We don’t need any negativity aimed at us.

Nelson: Are you going to the game?

Me: Yes.

Nelson: I’m so jealous right now. How is it fair that you, who’ve never cared about football, get to go while I, a lifelong fan of the sport, have to watch from home?

Me: I’m playing my tiny violin right now. Suck it up.

Nelson: I will, but that doesn’t mean I can’t be salty at the same time. I’m a great multitasker.

Me: Sure you are. You and every other man. Is my sarcasm coming through?

Nelson: Loud and clear. If the Silverbacks make the championship game, are you going?

Me: I don’t know. Griffin only thinks about the game they’re currently preparing for. He hasn’t mentioned anything beyond that.

Nelson: Maybe he’s afraid he’ll jinx them if he does.

Me: I wouldn’t be surprised if that’s the case. I’ll have to ask him if he’s superstitious.

Nelson: Save it for bedtime since you won’t be having sex. LOL.

Me: You’re annoying today.

Nelson: Today? I’m annoying every day.

Me: Maybe I forgot because I haven’t seen you in almost a month.

Nelson: When are you coming home for a visit?

Me: Sounds like you’re missing me.

Nelson: I can neither deny nor confirm.

Me: I know you miss me, Nellie. And most likely I won’t be back home until spring break.

Nelson: That seems so far away.

Me: Maybe you can visit me.

Nelson: Do you think Griffin would be okay with that?

Me: I’ll ask, but not until after the game this weekend.

Nelson: Sounds good. I better get back to work.

Me: Enjoy the rest of your day.

Nelson: You too. Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do.

His reply makes me chuckle to myself. Tucking my phone back in my bag, I finish drinking the rest of my coffee before heading to my next class.

“Hey, honey, I’m home,” I call out jokingly.

Griffin comes barreling toward me, taking me by surprise. He sweeps me up into his arms, and my legs wrap around his hips. He smacks his lips to mine. “Hey, honey, I’m glad you’re home. I missed the fuck out of you.”

Angling my head, I stare down into his dark eyes. “You did?”

“Yep. I kept looking at the clock and wondering why time was passing so slowly.”

“It’s been a long day, for sure.”

“What can I do for you?” he asks.

“Nothing. I’m just glad to be home.”

He carries me into the kitchen, setting me down on the island. “I figured we can have last night’s leftovers for dinner.”

“That sounds great. I’m starving. I skipped lunch and had iced coffee.”

He frowns. “That’s not enough.”

“I ate so much for breakfast, I wasn’t hungry.”

“You sit tight right here.” His hands fall from my hips as he moves to open the fridge. I hear him rifling things around inside before he begins placing containers on the counter.

“You sure you don’t want my help?”

He sends a smile my way, shaking his head. “You keep that pretty little ass right there.”

I lean back, bracing my weight on my palms. “Yes, sir.”

He grins. “I like that.”

“I bet you do,” I say with a laugh. “But don’t get used to it.”

His grin changes to a pout. “Dammit. That’s not fair.”

Raising my hands, I turn my palms upward, and shrug. “That’s life.”

Moving about the kitchen, a slight furrow of concentration creases his brow. His capable hands collect everything we need while I take advantage of this opportunity to admire him. He’s wearing a pair of gym shorts, and every time he takes a step, the rounded muscles in the back of his calves bulge, reminding me what a work of art every inch of his body is. Well… I don’t know about every inch, but from what I felt pressed against my ass last night, I think it will be just as impressive as the rest of him.

He opens containers and dishes the food onto plates before reheating everything. I’m struck by the domesticity of the moment and how natural it all feels. It’s surreal that living with Griffin, sleeping with him and then waking up in his arms, and coming home to have dinner with him has somehow become my new norm. Only a month ago, when our parents thrust us together, I never imagined this would be the outcome. Our situation has certainly taken some unexpected turns, and now, I can’t imagine returning to my pre-Griffin life.

“What are you thinking about?” He interrupts my musings, and I know he caught me staring at him.

Shifting my weight forward, I grip the edge of the island. “You and me and how crazy it all is.”

“What’s so crazy?”

“If someone had told me six months ago I’d be living with my new stepbrother, I’d have laughed in their face.”

He crosses the space, coming to stand between my legs. “What would you have done if they’d said you’d be falling for your new stepbrother and sharing his bed?” He slides his palms from just above my knee to my upper thighs, where they remain.

My lips settle into a small smile. “I’d have questioned their sanity.”

He chuckles. “Fair enough.”

The microwave dings, drawing him away from me. I drop from the island to my feet and grab two bottles of water from the fridge. “Where do you want to sit while we eat?”

“How about the table? I want to see your beautiful face across from me.”

“Aww. For someone who’s avoided relationships, you’re pretty good at saying the right things.”

“I’ve never been like this before. You bring out that side of me.” He carries our plates over, setting them down on the table.

But why me? He’s never given me a reason to doubt him, and I want to accept everything he’s telling me, yet there’s part of me clinging to skepticism.

“What’s that look about?” he asks, his brown eyes studying my face.

I hesitate to answer, taking a bite of mac and cheese first. Should I bare my soul and share my insecurities or keep them to myself for now? Griffin sets his fork down, his dark gaze still focused on me. When I finish chewing and swallowing, there’s no more delaying the inevitable.

“Why me?”

His dark brows furrow with his frown. “What do you mean?”

I groan inwardly. Of course he’s making me elaborate. “You’re a famous athlete and can date anyone you want… So why would you want an average woman like me?”

He reaches across the table, taking hold of my hand. “Christine, exactly what’s average about you?” Before I can answer, he continues. “You’re intelligent, sweet, kind, and thoughtful. You have a great sense of humor, and I never tire of spending time with you, which is new for me. I’ve always liked being around my teammates and hanging out with friends, but after a certain amount of time, I’ve always been eager to return to my solitary space. But now, I look forward to coming home to you. And like today, when you were gone all day, I counted the minutes until I could see you again.” He squeezes my hand. “I’ve never felt like this about anyone before.”

My eyes sting with tears, and I try to restrain them, but it’s futile. “Really?” My vision blurs, forcing me to blink repeatedly. When that doesn’t resolve the problem, I swipe a knuckle beneath my lower lashes.

“Yes. Since my mom passed away, I’ve kept everyone at a distance. Especially since I’ve been playing football professionally. The women I’ve met have been more interested in the perks of my career than the man I am.”

“I don’t care about what you do for work,” I say.

“I know. And that’s precisely why you’re the first person I’ve dared to open up to. You’re the only woman I can imagine sharing every part of my life with.”

My heart races, and I almost want to pinch myself until it hurts to ensure I’m not lost in some fantasy. “Sometimes it feels like a dream I might wake up from at any moment. I’m not used to someone like you wanting me. It’s like every young adult novel I’ve read where the popular guy at school fell for the nerdy girl. Except you and I are adults.”

His grip tightens on my hand, grounding me with its warmth. “This is real. Every single bit of it.”

I nod, taking a breath to steady my racing heart. “Regardless of what you’re used to, there’s only you and me in this relationship.”

Relationship?

“Christine,” his voice deepens as he leans forward. “My feelings for you grow stronger with each day. If you need me to keep reminding you, I will.”

I smile. “I might. At least until it sinks in.”

He smiles back at me. “I guess I’ll have to be more aggressive in proving how I feel.”

“Should I be worried?” I tease.

“Maybe.” His eyebrows bounce a few times. “In all seriousness, I know neither of us imagined anything romantic happening between us, but I’m so fucking grateful it did.”

“Me too,” I admit, a buoyancy filling my chest. He brushes his thumb across the back of my hand before pulling away.

As we resume eating, the conversation turns more playful, but I sense the transition that’s occurred. We went from the two of us dating to something more profound and substantial, which both electrifies and unsettles me.

“This must be what falling in love feels like,” I blurt out, instantly wanting to snatch the words back. A heavy silence crashes down upon us, searing my cheeks with embarrassment, but I force myself to look at Griffin.

He dabs at his mouth with his napkin and nods. “Yeah, I think you’re right.” His raw and unflinching honesty sends a jolt through me, making my heart race wildly. We’re not yet at the point of confessing those three life-changing words, but recognizing the looming potential feels monumental.

“It’s kind of scary. Terrifying, even,” I murmur, meeting his intense gaze across the table. “But in the best possible way.”

His soft smile is encouraging. “Definitely. But love is worth facing our fears head-on.”

“You’re right. No matter how difficult or scary, love is worth being brave.”