Page 21

CHAPTER 21

GRIFFIN

W e’ve cleared away the dinner dishes and the leftover baked ziti. Thanks to the bath, my body is less achy, and I feel a pressing need to get out of the house.

“Want to take a drive with me?” I ask Christine.

“Where to?”

“It’s a surprise,” I tell her, which is ironic considering I have no idea where we’re going. But I’ll figure it out on the way.

She glances down at her pajama pants and sweatshirt. “I’m not dressed to be seen in public.”

“No one but me will see you.”

She nods. “Okay, then. Let’s go.” She starts toward the front door.

“Just like that?” I say.

She peers over her shoulder. “I feel like I haven’t been doing anything but hanging here and going to school. So, I’m up for an adventure.”

“Me too. All I’ve been doing is going to work and hanging here. Let’s do this.” As we put our sneakers and jackets on, excitement hits me. She hasn’t ridden with me since the first day we met, and now she’s riding with me as my… girlfriend? We haven’t labeled it beyond dating, but that’s too mediocre a word to describe us.

After I lock up, I take her hand as we walk to the passenger side of my truck. I open the door and assist her as she climbs in. She giggles suddenly, covering her mouth.

“Something you want to share?” I ask. When her hand lowers, her lips roll inward, as if she’s unsure she should tell me. “Just say it,” I encourage.

“This truck is gigantic, and the first time I rode in it, I um…” She nervously tucks a lock of hair behind her ear. “I thought you must be overcompensating for something.”

“Like a small dick?”

“Yeah.” She smiles sheepishly.

I bark out a laugh. “Now you know better.” I close her door and move around to my side.

“I’m sorry,” she says.

My head snaps her way. “For what? Thinking about my dick? Don’t apologize for that.” I wink.

She whacks my arm. “Now I’m not sorry.”

I start the truck and turn on Christine’s seat warmer. “Are you ready?” I ask, glancing at her.

She nods. I back from the driveway and then pull away from the house. “And we’re off.” When I reach the end of the street, I realize where I want to go.

“Still not going to tell me where our destination is?”

I smile secretly. “All will be revealed soon.”

“I feel like we’re on a secret mission,” she says, snickering.

“It’s nothing that exciting, but I think you’ll be pleased.”

The air outside is crisp, colder than expected for a late January evening, but inside the truck feels just right. How could it not be when I’m with the woman I love? I could be in hell and as long as she’s with me, I’d be happy.

After a few minutes, I pull into a business and park in front of the small building.

“Whisked Away.” Christine reads the name on the sign, then turns to me, her eyes wide with excitement. “Are we getting dessert?”

“Yes. You stay here. I’m going to grab something for you that you’ll love.”

“I don’t like coconut,” she quickly tells me.

“Just trust me. Your life is about to be changed forever.”

She nods. “If you say so.”

I flash a quick smile her way and open the door. “Be right back.” Hurrying inside, I’m engulfed by the scent of baked goods, and my stomach instantly growls. I place an order, and it’s only a few minutes until I’m back in the truck. I hand over a cup to Christine and place the other in the holder.

“Ooh, it’s nice and hot. What is this?”

“Decaf coffee. I was going to get you hot chocolate, but I figured that would be too much sugar.”

“Good call.”

We start on our way again. Christine softly sings along to the songs on the radio. My gaze flicks over to her when it can, observing her natural curiosity as she pays close attention to each area we drive through.

“Are we there yet?” she asks, a teasing tone in her voice.

“No. But we’re close. I promise it’ll be worth it.” I smile.

She leans back in her seat. “It better be. Who knew having dessert requires a road trip.”

My grin widens. “Oh, it does. Trust me, this one’s special.” I tap the box next to me.

“With all this buildup, it better be,” she says, letting out a brief laugh.

After a few minutes, I turn off the main road and onto a dark, winding path that leads to a small, secluded hilltop. When we reach the lookout area, I park and cut the engine. The view makes the drive worth it.

Christine lets out a sharp gasp. “Wow.”

“I had a similar reaction the first time I came here.” There’s no one else around. It’s just us and the uninterrupted expanse of the dark sky.

“The stars are so bright,” she whispers, awe evident in her tone.

Smiling, I open my door and step out into the night air. The sky is a vast expanse of black, dotted with twinkling stars. We’ve left the city lights behind and the only sound is from Christine closing her door as she joins me. This place, tucked away from the hustle and bustle of the city, feels like a hidden gem meant just for the two of us.

I grab the beach towel that’s been in my truck since last summer, sling it over my shoulder, and pick up my coffee and the box of cupcakes. “We can sit over there.” I gesture to a spot ahead. Setting my coffee and the box on the grass, I spread out the towel, and we drop down, sitting side by side with our arms touching. Christine takes a small sip from her cup. “Hmm. That’s good stuff. I’m glad you got decaf for me, or I’d be wired all night.”

“The coffee’s great, but it can’t compare with these.” Opening the box, I remove a mini white chocolate raspberry cupcake and hand it to her.

“Oh, how cute. It’s a baby cupcake. I love small versions of things.”

“Me too,” I say, nudging her with my elbow.

She raises an eyebrow. “You know, I’m only two inches shorter than the average height for women,” she tells me.

“That may be true, but compared to me, you’re a peanut. Now, try your cupcake and tell me how amazing it is.” She peels the paper back and takes a bite, chewing slowly. “Well?” I press impatiently.

She swallows and takes a sip of coffee to wash it all down. “This is delicious.”

“Right? I don’t buy these very often because I could eat like twenty in one sitting.” I grab a fudge brownie cupcake and remove the paper before popping the whole thing in my mouth. Damn. It’s as good as I remember. “Try another kind.”

“I haven’t finished this one yet,” she says.

“I’ll take it,” I say, opening my mouth.

She peels the paper the rest of the way off and feeds me the remainder. I catch her fingers between my lips and lick the crumbs from them.

“Behave,” she tells me.

I try to look as innocent as possible. “I am.”

She rolls her eyes and sips from her cup. “So how did you find this place?”

“There’s a park not far from here and I mistakenly thought the road leading in here was one of the entrances to the park.”

“That was a lucky mistake. This view of the sky is incredible. I wish I had a telescope.”

“I told you it’d be worthwhile.”

“You did. I guess I should’ve listened.”

I cup my ear. “I’m sorry. Can you repeat that last part about me being right?”

She laughs. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“How about another one?” I ask, reaching in the box.

“Okay.”

“This one is strawberry cheesecake.” She takes the cupcake, her fingers brushing mine, and I feel a spark of warmth run through me. I watch her tear off the paper and bite the sweet confection in half. Her eyelids fall closed as she chews, and when they reopen, she glances at me. “Oh my God. This is too good to be legal.” She eats the second half, moaning.

“I’ll have to remember to buy you some of these whenever we have our first disagreement,” I say.

“Don’t tell me that. I might pick a fight on purpose.”

“You can have them whenever you want. I won’t turn down an excuse to indulge.”

I slide an arm around her, drawing her close. We sit in silence, looking up at the stars shining like diamonds above us. The cold air isn’t even a deterrent with her cuddled up to my side. I find myself studying her profile as she stares up at the sky. For a moment, everything is so still and peaceful. Looking at the stars makes me feel as though I should ask the universe for something. Like I should say a prayer for whatever I want help with. But almost instantly I realize, with Christine by my side I have everything I need.

The wind picks up, swirling through, and Christine shivers from the cold. She pulls her jacket tighter. I draw her closer to my side and she leans her head against my chest.

“Warmer?” I ask.

“Yes, thank you.”

“Don’t thank me for holding you. If I had my way, you’d be permanently attached to me. I’d just go about my day with you along for the ride.”

She laughs. “I’m picturing it now. You running on the field with me wrapped around you like a koala. It would be the first time in my life I’d be athletic.”

“I’d barely notice you were there,” I say.

She shakes her head. “Exaggerate much?”

“I’ll pick you up right now and run around just to prove I’m right.”

“I’m sure you could, but there aren’t any two-hundred-fifty-pound defenders trying to stop you.”

I turn my head her way. “Are you challenging me?”

She snorts, slapping her thigh. “Men! God forbid someone questions the validity of your statements.”

“What can I say? I’m always looking to prove someone wrong. It’s my default reaction. It serves me well with my job.”

She meets my gaze. “I bet it does.”

“I take motivation from every outlet possible.”

She shakes her head. “I’m not wired like that at all.”

“You and I are opposites in lots of ways, but opposites attract,” I say, rubbing the tip of my nose against hers.

“Do they? Or is that a platitude couples say to make them feel better suited to one another?”

“I think it’s true for us, and that’s all that matters.”

“You’re right,” she agrees, and I can’t keep myself from kissing her any longer. I press my lips to hers and it quickly deepens when her fingers slide into my hair. Our tongues meet in a series of strokes, stirring a white-hot desire in me. I pull away before my restraint can be tested any further.

“You’re too tempting for your own good,” I say, dragging my thumb across her lower lip.

She looks up at me from under her thick lashes. “I’m glad you think so.”

“I do. I hate to put an end to this, but we should probably head home before it gets too late.”

She releases a long, slow exhale. “You’re right. You have practice tomorrow morning.”

“It’s just a walk through, but we could both use a good night’s sleep,” I say, standing. Holding out my hand, I pull her up. We collect our things and get back in my truck. As we start toward home, I notice Christine’s furrowed brow.

“What’s wrong?”

“Our parents are coming tomorrow,” she says, a hint of worry creeping into her voice.

“Are you nervous to see them?”

“Not really, but how will I hide my feelings for you? I’m not a good actress.”

“Don’t worry. It’ll be okay. We’ll act like we did the last time we saw them and just steal secret kisses when we can.”

“That sounds like asking to be caught.”

“We’re adults. If they find out, it doesn’t matter. It’s not like we need their approval.”

“I agree, but I don’t want things to be awkward. You saw how my mom is with me.”

“I did, but you don’t need to put up with her treating you like a child. Maybe it’s time to have a conversation with her.”

“Yeah. I’ll see how she is with me. Maybe the physical distance between us has helped her realize I’m an adult and perfectly capable of making decisions on my own.”

“We better make sure she doesn’t find out about us, or she’ll be packing all your shit and taking you home.”

“Ugh. Do you think it’ll be that much of an issue with our parents? What’s so bad about us falling in love?”

“Nothing. Everything is wonderful with us, and we can’t let other people affect how we feel about one another.”

It sounds so easy, but the inkling of unease I’m experiencing can’t be ignored. I know her parents’ divorce made Christine and her mom extremely close. If she finds out we’re together, could she influence her daughter and negatively impact our relationship?