Chapter 22

Griffin

I contemplate the menu for the Mayor's party as I flip the burgers that have been ordered for lunch. Tripp walks back into the kitchen with that sour puss look on his face that seems to be permanent these days.

"Just waiting on those burgers," he says, leaning against the counter and pulling out his phone.

"Tripp," I say, holding up my spatula. "I've given you time. I've yelled. I've worked you to the bone. I've tried talking to you. I've kept your secret of being arrested. Yet, you're still moping around, stuck in your head. It's time man, tell me what the hell is going on with you."

He sighs and pushes his phone back into his pocket. He glances at me and I see sadness or maybe hurt in his eyes. "Can I ask you a question?"

I quickly get the burgers off, placing them on the buns. "Please, I wish you would."

"Have you ever liked someone and at first you felt like they had no idea you existed and then you realize there's something huge standing in the way and you know your luck has run out?"

I stare at him, wondering if he's talking about me and Anya or about himself. I clear my throat and wipe my now sweaty hands on my apron. "Are you saying you like a girl?" I ask, hoping it's this direction he's going in.

"Yeah," he whispers.

Relief washes over me knowing my secret is still hidden. It's fucked up because part of the reason I need Anya at my place tonight is to confess my feelings and yet, I still can't bring myself to reveal this relationship to Callum or any of the Atwoods. I refuse to let her go and I have no idea how it's all going to work out. The only thing I know for sure is that my life is better with Anya in it.

"So, no advice?" Tripp asks, pulling me back to the conversation.

"What's standing in the way?"

He shrugs, looking down at the floor. "Can't say."

"All right, listen. You want to get this girl's attention right?" He peeks up at me and nods. "Tripp, girls want men who are confident in themselves and their choices. You running around with the wrong crowd, getting drunk, and being arrested, that's not a turn-on for anyone. If you want to get her attention, you need to show her you're worth that attention." I grab his shoulder and smile at him. "Work hard in school, bust your ass at the brewery. Allow her to see you have goals and ambitions. Whatever is standing in the way, it won't matter if it's meant to be. If you show her the guy that I know you are, she'll not only notice you, she'll be all in. Your luck hasn't run out. You're just starting out in life, there's nothing that can stand in your way."

He shoves his hands in his pockets and looks at the ground before lifting his eyes to me. "You really think that will work?"

"You really like this girl, huh?"

"Yeah, I do," he whispers.

"It'll work, Tripp, believe me. And a little flirting never hurt either."

He chuckles at that and nods.

I should've known it was a girl problem. We've all been there. Every guy loses his shit over a girl at some point. Although, as I think about it, I never have. I've never gotten close enough to anyone to allow it to affect me in any way. I never fought over a girl. I never got drunk over a girl. I never went out looking for a rebound.

I guess it doesn't happen to every guy or maybe it doesn't happen until you've found the right girl.

That thought makes me realize, if Anya walked away, I would, in fact, lose my shit.

I focus back on Tripp because it's much easier than allowing myself to get into my head.

"Tripp, everyone at some point feels like they need to fight for the right person. You aren't alone. Just know that."

He smirks and stands a little taller. "You fighting for someone?"

I grin and turn my back to him. "Get these burgers out before they get cold."

"Seriously? I just poured my heart out to you," he says.

"It's called a private life for a reason. Now, please get these burgers out."

I wish I could go out to the bar, jump on top of it and tell everyone about Anya. I wish I could kiss her without hiding. I wish I didn't carry this guilt of lying to everyone. Anya included. She deserves better. I just don't know how to approach the subject of telling everyone.

After a long day at work, all I can think about on my drive home is being with Anya. There's so much to be said, but I can't focus on any of it until I have her.

She pulls in the driveway behind me and I lift her over my shoulder when she gets out of the car.

"Woah," she says with a laugh.

"I need to get you inside fast," I say, unlocking the door quickly before pushing it open.

I slam the door closed behind us and carry her straight to my bedroom. Once inside, I allow her to slide down my body. Her arms wrap around my neck and I pull her to me, pressing my lips to hers. A soft moan escapes her and I sink my fingers into her hair, breaking the kiss.

"I did nothing but think of you all day. I need you, baby." I kiss her again and tighten my hold on her hair. "Now."

I reach down and quickly pull up the gray skirt she's wearing and hook my fingers into her panties, pushing them down her legs. As they fall, I get my jeans and boxers down past my knees. I lift her into my arms and she wraps her legs around me as I spin around and push her back against the wall.

My hard cock presses against her and she moans, locking her heated eyes with mine. "Fuck me, Griffin."

I slam into her and her head falls back, smacking into the wall as her fingers dig into my shoulders. I move my hands to hold onto her round ass as I continue to pound into her.

"Watching you from afar all day is driving me fucking crazy," I hiss.

She groans her understanding as my fingers dig into her ass as I drive into her harder and faster.

"Oh Griffin, I'm not going to last," she cries out.

"Me either, baby. You've had me hard all day," I grunt out.

Her cries of pleasure spur me on as I fight to keep my release from crashing over me.

"I'm so close."

"Rub your clit, baby. Reach between us and come on me."

Her hand slips between us and she rubs her clit, crying out. I feel her tighten around me and I close my eyes lost in the feelings she's awakened in me.

"Oh God, Griffin," she screams as her release crashes over her.

"Fuck, that's it, baby. Come all over me."

She's still shaking from her orgasm when I find mine. "Anya," I whisper, leaning forward and burying my face in her neck.

Her hands move up my body and she pushes them into my hair. "You all right?" she whispers.

I nod against her, still breathing heavily. I press a soft kiss to her neck and lift my head. "Better than I've ever been."

We clean up and adjust our clothes, laughing about how we didn't even manage to get them off. That's what she does to me. The need is so great that I can't even wait to get her naked.

Once we're done, I grab her hand and nod my head. "I want to talk to you."

I lead her out into the living room and we both sit on the couch. She turns to face me and I rest my elbows on my knees.

She rubs my back, moving closer. "Talk to me, Griffin. I can sense something is wrong."

"Nothing is wrong," I say, turning my head to look at her. "Did you ever wonder why I spent so much time at your house growing up?"

"At the time, no, but it's been something I took closer notice to recently."

She keeps lightly rubbing my back and it gives me a feeling of comfort that I need. "My childhood was not good. My father was and still is a cheater, only now he's also a drunk. He didn't like noise, he didn't like mess, he didn't like me. My mother never stood up for me, never stood up for herself. I was scared and lonely. When I met Callum, he didn't ask what it was like at home, he just knew I needed a friend. He'd invite me over and my mother was all too happy to get me out of the house. No mess or noise for her cheating husband to come home to."

I see the tears swimming in her eyes and I don't like that she's feeling what I went through, but I can't stop now. I've never told anyone but Callum and it's time I let her fully in.

"When I was at your house I felt a sense of belonging and freedom. I could laugh and play and be a kid. I loved being there, but I always had to go home. When I was a kid I would just slip into my room and be as quiet as I could. Especially after my father threw away my favorite toy cars because he found one in the living room. It was devastating and I tried to make sure that didn't happen again."

"Oh Griffin, I'm so sorry," she interrupts.

I force a grin and shrug. "The older I got the harder it got to be the little boy who sat hidden in my room. My father and I fought a lot. My mother and I fought a lot. Every time I tried to defend her, she would get angry with me. I couldn't understand but I guess it's just something I'm not meant to understand. My father never changed his ways and the moment I could get out of that house, I ran. If it wasn't for your family, for your brother, I honestly don't know what would've happened to me."

She wraps her arms around me, resting her head on my shoulder. "I had no idea it was so awful for you. I'm sorry."

"I don't like talking about it, so only Callum and now you know. When I think about it, it stirs an anger inside me that I don't like." I turn my head to see her the best I can. "Until I met you."

She sits up and searches my face. "What?"

"Until I met you that anger would bubble up inside me and I'd lash out, but you calm it, Anya. I didn't think it was possible for me to feel things like a normal person. It's not like I was shown love and I wasn't even sure it was something that existed. I saw it with your family, but my blood is made up of something else entirely. And until you, I was fine with one night stands and dead end relationships."

I turn and pull her onto my lap, tucking a piece of hair behind her ear as I stare at her gorgeous face. "I didn't think I'd ever love someone or be the kind of guy that could be loved. Yet, here I am." I press a soft kiss to her full lips and smile. "I love you, Anya Atwood."

Tears swim in her eyes as she smiles down at me. "I wasn't sure if this was more for you or if it was just all in fun. I've tried fighting my feelings, pushing them aside, but I saw glimpses of your feelings and started allowing myself to feel mine." She presses a kiss to my lips and rests her forehead against mine. "You are so full of love and worth being loved. I love you too, Griffin Cole."

I close my eyes and allow her words to sink in. She loves me.

It's the first time I've ever said these words and the first time anyone has ever said them to me.

I'm going to have to talk to Callum because Anya is mine.

It's time everyone knows.