Chapter 23

Anya

It's been a few days since Griffin and I confessed our love for one another, and yet, we're still hiding our relationship. I honestly don't understand why.

Every time I try to bring it up, something happens, and another day passes where we keep our relationship a secret.

I head downstairs on the day of the Mayor's party, and my mother's in the kitchen. "Hey Mom, I'm heading to the brewery to set up for tonight."

"I put all your chocolates in a box. I can't wait for the committee to see how much work you've put into everything."

I nod. "I just hope everything goes smoothly tonight."

My mother's warm smile gives me comfort. "It will."

I hug my mother, thinking about what Griffin said about his own family. I couldn't imagine growing up that way, and the thought of it makes me love Griffin even more.

"You look happy," my mother says, and I laugh.

"I am happy."

"Wouldn't be a six-foot-two young man making you happy, now is it?"

My eyes widen. "No," I say, but it's totally a lie.

"Anya, I know you haven't been sleeping here at night. I'm not going to pretend you're staying with Willow every night."

I cover my mouth as a huge smile splits my face. "I am staying with Willow."

My mother places her hands on my shoulders. "I'm not stupid."

I drop my hands. "I know, it's just we're trying to keep it a secret."

"Secrets have a way of making themselves known."

I nod. "I know. Honestly, I don't even know why we're waiting."

My mother steps away to grab the box of chocolates. "I would suspect it isn't easy for Griffin to come clean with your brothers. But I'm sure they'll see how much Griffin cares about you. I think he always has. I remember when you came home once for college and Griffin was here. The way he stared at you." My mother clutches her chest. "I'll never forget it."

"Really?" How come I've never noticed?

"I think he's always had a thing for you."

Goosebumps cascade all down my arms. "I wish I'd have known."

My mother's smile is wide. "No, it's much better this way. You both are finally in a position to be able to give each other the things you both need."

"Did you know about his home life?" I ask my mother. "When he was growing up?"

"Callum once told me it wasn't good there. I've only seen his mother in passing. The grocery store. The shopping centers. I've only seen his father once, and he scared me."

"He did? Why?"

"He's not a nice man. He was drunk, causing a raucous at the high school once. Griffin and Callum had gotten into a fight with a few of the other kids, and his father was so angry. We didn't see Griffin for a few weeks after that."

Chills skate over me. "I love him, Mom."

My mother wraps her arms around me. "Good. He needs a woman like you."

"Like me?"

"Yes, a good woman who understands him. Who can love him for who he is."

I think about my mother's words, and it makes my heart beat in my chest harder for Griffin. "He said he loves me too."

My mother's eyes beam at me. "Good. I think you two are perfect for each other. Sometimes I feel like I know who my children are going to end up with, and I always knew you two would end up together."

I laugh, swatting my mother's arm playfully. "That's not true."

"It is. I knew Paxton and Hartford would end up together."

I laugh harder. "We all knew that."

"I know you and Griffin will end up together."

"What about Callum? Is he ever going to meet anyone?" I can't possibly imagine my oldest brother falling in love.

My mother sighs. "I honestly don't know about him. Whoever he does get with will need to have the patience of a saint."

"What about Brock and Millie? I think they're cute together."

My mother shakes her head. "No, Brock needs a challenge, and Millie needs somebody who can appreciate her." My mother winks at me, and I glance at the clock on the oven.

"Oh shoot, I need to get going." I give my mother another quick hug, and grab the box of chocolates to make my way to the brewery.

Make sure the tables are set up perfectly.

Tripp: Or what?

Griffin: Don't be an ass, Tripp.

Tonight is so important for the future of the brewery. I can't play around.

Callum: Agreed. And don't worry, I'm personally making sure everything is up to par.

Thank you. I'll be there in fifteen minutes.

Griffin: Can't wait.

I glance down at the group chat, rereading Griffin's text for the fifth time. Did he really mean for everyone to read that? The chat went silent as soon as his message delivered, and now I can't help but wonder if everyone is thinking it's weird. Is it just me overanalyzing, or did Griffin just drop a bombshell?

I hate that my mind is overthinking every single thing. What are my brothers thinking right now? The uncertainty is driving me crazy.

But at the same time, I feel this overwhelming urge to tell everyone about us. Why should we hide our relationship? I understand how hard it must be for Griffin to tell my brothers, but at the same time, I don't see them caring whether we're dating or not. They've always wanted me to be happy, right?

It's none of their business, I remind myself. It's nobody's business but our own. Yet, a small voice inside me whispers that maybe, just maybe, sharing this part of my life could bring us all closer. Or, it could complicate everything.

I shake the feelings away and try to focus on the task at hand—the party.

I pull up to the brewery with tons of time to spare. We're going to pull this party off without a hitch. The local paper ran a story yesterday, calling our brewery as a ‘new up and coming hang out spot' and it did an expose on Callum and Griffin. It said Griffin, and I quote, ‘was a master in the kitchen.'

I'm so proud of him, and my mother is talking about getting the article framed. She wants to hang it up in the dining room.

I rush inside the brewery, dropping off the box of chocolates in the party room before I head around to say my hellos. Not that I even have time for that, but I can't deny the fact that I'm bursting at the seams to see Griffin.

When I step into the kitchen he's having a quick meeting with the other chefs.

"I want tonight to go smoothly. If you need anything you make sure I know about it before it becomes a problem. We've got everything prepped, so I don't see running out of things a problem."

The other chefs nod, and Griffin smiles at me when I step up closer.

"Remember, if Anya needs anything you make sure the party is top priority," he says, dismissing them afterward.

"How's it going?" I ask him.

"We're good to go for tonight."

I smile, wanting desperately to mention the text. To talk about everything that's going on between us. "I need to print out the menus in my office."

"I'll come with you," Griffin says, following me out of the kitchen.

It's not unusual to have him come with me to print out the menus, so nobody even questions us as we walk into my office. I fire up my computer, starting the printing job and then I lean back in my chair as Griffin stands over me.

"I've missed the fuck out of you," he says, knowing nobody can hear him except me.

"My mother knows about us," I tell him, more so to gauge his reaction to the news.

The look of surprise on his face is unexpected. He almost appears afraid. "She's not going to tell anyone, is she?"

I stand from my chair, crossing my arms. "Would it be so awful if she did?"

Griffin's eyes search mine, a mix of worry and confusion. He steps away from me, plunging a hand into his dark locks. "Um, yes, Anya. I'm not ready to tell anyone just yet."

I park a hand on my hip, frustration bubbling up. "And when will you be ready? Once I pop out a few kids? Will you be ready then?"

He steps closer, his eyes blazing into mine. "No, I just…I don't know. I want to tell everyone…" His words trail off when there's a knock on my office door.

I open it to find Tripp standing there. "There you are," he says, walking into my office. "Callum sent me here to find the tablecloths. Do you know where they are?"

I let out a frustrated breath, trying to push down the turmoil roiling inside me. "Yeah, they're in this box." I move to the shelf behind my desk, pulling out a big box of tablecloths. "Here."

"Did I interrupt something?" Tripp asks, his eyes volleying back and forth between Griffin and me.

"No, it's fine," Griffin says, his voice tight as he leaves my office. I'm left standing there, even more confused than I was before. Why the secrecy?

I help Tripp with the tablecloths, trying to focus on the task at hand. Before long, the party room transforms from ordinary to spectacular, with vibrant colors and elegant decorations. Despite the beauty of the room, my mind is still spinning with questions.

Why is Griffin so afraid to let others know about us? What is he so worried about? As I arrange the last tablecloth, I can't shake the feeling that this secrecy might be a sign of deeper issues. And I wonder, how long can we keep hiding before it all comes crashing down?