15. Blair

M y dad called me last night and told me that he's being transferred to a private hospital to be personally treated by one of the best doctors in the country, Dr. David Cole. I don't know what strings Griffin had to pull to make that happen, but I am forever grateful.

My father means the world to me. I know he's across the country in Georgia, getting treatment, but he feels worlds away. I miss him so much. But I wouldn't really change a thing because at least now, he's getting the treatment he deserves. All because of Griffin.

Please tell me how I'm supposed to sit across the table from him this afternoon without thinking about our near kiss in the kitchen two nights ago. This will be the first time we've seen each other since then, and my stomach is churning at the thought.

Will he bring it up? Will he pretend it didn't happen? He was pretty drunk that night. Will he remember it at all?

Part of me is considering texting him and telling him I don't feel well, but unfortunately, I don't think that'd go over well since I'm a terrible liar—there's also the fact that he could literally walk into my bedroom and check on me and I'm indeed not sick.

The vibration of my phone gives me a second of reprieve, and I read Lumi's message.

Lumi: Do not under any circumstances make plans for tonight.

Oh God, what does he have up his sleeve?

Why?

Lumi: It's a surprise. Just be ready to leave by seven—hair, makeup, etc. Everything aside from your outfit.

This is bizarre, but it's hard to worry when it comes to Lumi. He always has everyone's best interests at heart.

Okay … I will. But again, I will ask you, why???

Lumi: To get you out of the house and have some fun. Don't you have a tutoring session you should be in right now?

Lumi, I will stay home if you don't tell me what you' re planning.

Lumi: You are no fun! There's a costume party at the baseball house tonight, and I'm bringing you as my plus-one.

Your plus-one? Who invited you?

Lumi: A baseball player from my Econ class.

Is he cute? Did he like invite you, invite you? Or was it more like, swing by if you're bored?

Lumi: A mix of both? I'm not sure. He's, like, a seven, but I'm hoping this is my in to meet a ten.

Wait, did you say costume party??

Lumi: Yes. Why? I can put together some cute outfits for us since I know you have a date with Griffin today.

It's not a date. It's a study session. And don't worry about putting something together for me. I can handle my own. I've got a ton of clothes from working at the club that can easily pass as a slutty costume.

Lumi: Okay, I can't wait to see what you come up with!

What are you dressing up as?

Lumi: A Ken doll.

Okay, but, like, that's actually perfect. You'd better send me pictures of yours! Do you already have your clothes picked out?

Lumi: Going shopping now.

Okay, I can't wait to see it!

Lumi: Me too, LOL.

As much as I love the idea of staying in bed and doing nothing but reading tonight, I wouldn't mind a night out to clear my head because being in the room across the hall from Griffin has my mind cloudy with thoughts, including flashbacks of him in nothing but a towel. Knowing he's feet away from me is aggravating because finishing what we started the other night would be so easy. But I can't. Dear God, I cannot do that. What if he fires me? After all, he got rid of his old tutor because she was hitting on him.

What if the other night was a test? What if he was seeing if I would let him touch me?

Whatever his intentions were, I would have, without a doubt, failed. I don't know when something changed between us, but I know that it's becoming impossible to ignore.

Griffin and I are meeting downstairs in our usual spot at the dining table in two hours, which means I will get to stay up here in my pretty little cage for a while longer.

A heaviness weighs on me today, knowing my dad is getting chemo treatment. He has everything he needs, aside from me, but that's okay. As long as he's getting better, that's all that matters. He's going to call me after he's done at his appointment today.

Setting my phone down, with the sound on so I can hear it ring, I grab my book and fall back onto the bed, holding it up above my face to read. As I get lost reading about Liam, singing a song he wrote for the girl he loves, who also happens to be his best friend's little sister, Avery, all of my stressors and problems happily float to the back of my mind.

I wish I could jump into this book and stay there for a while. Where my dad isn't sick and I don't have to make a deal with an annoyingly hot hockey player to stay in school and pay for my dad's treatment. But as my problems drift away and I relax more and more, my eyelids drift shut, and my nap consumes me.

A monstrous, hairy beast with long horns and sharp claws approaches me with soft hazel eyes and a shy smile. With a red rose—my favorite—clasped in its hand, it reaches out and brushes my hair out of my face. Hesitantly, it holds the rose out to me, and I take it. The beast scoops me into his arms, cradling me against his chest, and every worry falls away as he carries me into the dark castle.

As I begin to fall asleep in his warm arms, he shakes my shoulders, and I wish he would stop.

I don't want to get up yet.

"Blair, wake up," the beast growls, deep and vicious, rattling me to my bones.

He shakes my shoulders once more, and I gasp as I fly upright into reality, leaving the dreamworld behind and coming face-to-face with The Beast of the real world. Except this beast isn't scary looking at all. He's a six-foot-five giant with an alluring smile, eyes that you can't look away from, who has a soft demeanor that only shows when he thinks no one else is looking. I suppose, in his own way, he is scary. Or perhaps it's just me who is scared to know more.

"Hey, are you okay?" He reaches out and brushes my cheek.

"What?" I mumble, realizing I've been staring at him this entire time and not saying a single word. "Yeah. I'm fine. W-why are you in my room?"

Crossing my arms, I sit back, pulling out of his touch. I can't ignore the pained look that seems to strike him like a jolt of electricity, his eyes widening and brows furrowing.

He hurries off of my bed and stands up, looking anywhere but at me. "We were supposed to meet downstairs, but you didn't show."

Shit .

"After a few minutes, I just came to check on you." He steps back and turns to walk away, and my heart drops. "But we can reschedule. You should rest."

"Wait. Umm … what time is it?" My mouth is dry as I stall him from leaving, not ready to say goodbye so soon.

He runs his hand through his hair. "A little after four p.m."

Jumping out of bed, I straighten my HEAU hoodie that twisted itself up when I was asleep and adjust my leggings, tugging them back up on my hips. "Dammit. I'm sorry, Griffin. I didn't mean to fall asleep. We can start right now."

He walks around my bed, not stopping until he's only a couple of feet away from me, and finally meets my stare, looking almost straight down into my eyes. "Don't worry about it. I'm feeling pretty good about the assignments anyway. I'll just need your help with editing and formatting next week's essay. I've got it drafted already." He smiles before adding, "Please make it not sound like complete garbage."

"I have a hard time believing that it will sound bad at all. Your other ones have been excellent," I admit, telling him the truth.

Are they perfect? No. But they are definitely passing grade material.

"Yeah, you have to say that." He smirks, rocking forward on the balls of his feet and bringing us even closer together.

I grin. "Actually, you pay me to tell you the truth, and if your essays were terrible, trust me, I would tell you. I might even enjoy doing it."

Humor dances in his smile and eyes as he murmurs, his voice deep and smooth, "Oh, I'm sure you would."

Biting the inside of my cheek, I attempt to kill any blush from warming my face, but I'm afraid I fail miserably. With a hesitant step, I drift toward the door and lean against the eloquent trim of the wall.

He follows me, dragging his feet until he stands in the open threshold. Yawning, he stretches his arms over his head, resting one arm against the doorframe and caging me in ever so slightly. Immediately, I'm reminded of what it felt like to be pressed against the kitchen island, wanting nothing more than for him to touch me.

Forcing my gaze away from him, I stare at my book on the bed, waiting for him to say something … anything. But as each second ticks by, we seem to drift closer together, an d I don't trust myself not to do something about the butterflies he is stirring up inside of me.

"I'm going out tonight, by the way," I announce rather abruptly. Looking up at him again, I watch his hooded eyes widen, and his parted lips seal shut and thin. "So, I probably won't be home until late."

His tongue swipes his bottom lip before he bites down on it. "Oh, really?" he asks, his voice suddenly louder and a little shaky, almost sounding like … jealousy. "And what if I need emergency tutoring?"

The corner of his lips tips up, and a twinkle glimmers in his eyes.

Is he … flirting with me?

Pursing my lips, I challenge him, nervous about pushing it in case this is a real test of my professionalism. "Then, you can call or text me. Although I'm sure whatever you might need can wait until morning."

He shrugs. He looks over my shoulder, and his jaw tics. "What are your plans?"

Sneering with a grin, I roll my eyes. "That is none of your business."

Sighing, he drags his gaze back to me, painstakingly slow until he meets my eyes again, and I inhale sharply at the intensity of his stare and the tightness in his jaw.

"Well, my little prisoner, I'm making it my business. Where are you going?"

Tightening my arms across my chest, I protest, "Like I said, Griffin, it's none of your concern. I don't owe you an explanation."

His jaw tics again, and I can't help but grin at his frustration .

He steps toward me and slides his fingers along my waist, his touch burning an imprint into my skin. He tugs me toward him, and warmth ignites in my core, spreading throughout my entire body.

"Is it a date?"

I swallow hard. I swear it just got fifty degrees hotter in here.

My voice is a weak whisper. "Maybe."

Lowering himself inch by inch, he begins to close the distance between us, and I feel like giggling, screaming, running, and staying in place, all at the same time.

He chuckles deeply. "Oh, yeah? Who is it?"

Standing my ground, I hide any nervousness from my words. "You know him actually. He's nice, funny, easy to get along with, and hot as hell."

He inhales sharply and forces his exhale through gritted teeth. He huffs, breathing heavier than before, and I can't help but feel proud that I'm affecting him at all.

His breath hits my lips. "I'll drive you."

"No need," I pant, my entire body tingling from his nearness, desperate for his touch. "He's picking me up."

His jaw clenches, and anger flashes in his eyes. "Over my dead body. You just give out our address to random guys, huh?"

A giggle slips past my mouth.

"Only cute ones," I whisper, taunting him.

"Blair." He says my name as a warning.

But I can't stop. I love watching the jealousy torment him.

He narrows his eyes at me, and bubbling laughter breaks free .

"What's so funny?" he murmurs and presses his body against mine.

I gasp at the contact as a jolt of pleasure strikes my core, any laughter immediately dissipating. If I don't look away right now, I'm afraid I might launch myself at him. I force my gaze to his chest. But apparently, he doesn't like that.

He grabs my chin and lifts my head up, leaving me no choice but to look directly into his eyes.

"Are you messing with me?" he whispers, his words brushing my lips, taunting me to lean up just two inches more.

Biting back my grin, I answer him in a sultry tone, watching him hang on every word. "I have a hot date tonight … with Lumi."

I see every part of our conversation play back in his mind as his face and body relax.

"Lumi. Hmm." His tight lips break into a grin, and he chuckles. "What an interesting way you chose to explain that to me. Almost like you wanted to get a rise out of me," he teases.

Shrugging, I place my hands on his chest and softly guide him away from me. "Maybe I was. Maybe I wasn't. But I do have a date with Lumi, and I need to get ready. So, if you'll excuse me …"

He doesn't move an inch, he just studies me with darkened eyes. "What are you guys going to do?"

He takes a step back, and I inhale, feeling like I can finally start to breathe again.

"A party on campus. He got invited and is bringing me as his plus-one. "

He rubs his jaw, and his tone cools. "What party?"

Rolling my eyes, I hold my hand out, pointing toward the door, gesturing for him to leave. "Some baseball one. Any other questions, warden?"

"Baseball one," he mutters under his breath. "That will be all, my little prisoner. See you later."

Without another word, he strides out of the room with pep in his step. I don't have time to read into that right now. I need to get ready. Lumi will be here soon, and I don't even have my costume picked out.

But thankfully, working at the club has left me with all the pieces I could ever need to put together a tastefully slutty costume, and I do just that. An outfit that has me feeling confident, cute, and sexy, all at the same time. I finish my look with smoky eye makeup and a bright red lip.

I wish Griffin could see me in this.

Perhaps in another life, our situation would be different. Maybe it still can. But for tonight, none of that matters. I am just going to go have fun with my friend.

In case I run into Mrs. Potts or Chip downstairs, I throw on a long coat and cinch it at my waist before strolling out of Hawthorne Manor.

After a short show-and-tell of our outfits, Lumi and I head to the party, arriving fashionably late.

As we walk into the brick baseball house, I can't help but feel slightly on edge. I know a lot of the baseball team is close to the football team, and the last thing I want tonight is to run into Grant.

"Oh my God, that's the guy who invited me," Lumi murmurs into my ear. "I'm going to casually go get a drink next to him. Be right back. Do you want one?"

Nodding, I can't even get a word in before he's walking away and heading to the cute guy by the keg. Awkwardly, I find a wall and tuck myself against it, out of the way. I'll just wait here until Lumi comes back.

To pass the time, I pull my phone out and scroll through socials. A notification pops up at the top of my screen, and I see a text from Grant. My stomach drops.

Grant: What are you doing here?

I type my answer as fast as I can while my rage starts growing inside of me, unfurling into every finger and toe. After tonight, I'm blocking him for good. But in case he is extra crazy, I'm not doing it until I'm at home if he decides to murder me for doing it. It might seem dramatic, but men have killed for less, especially the insane and possessive ones.

Trying to have fun. Why are you texting me? I don't need your permission to be here.

His fingers must be sore from how fast he types out his next message.

Grant: Nor do you need my permission to dress like a whore, but here we are.

Glancing above my phone, I scan the room and search each face, trying to find him. Tucking my phone into my chest bag, I try to ignore him while I keep a keen eye on the room, wondering what corner he's lurking in.

I left my coat in Lumi's car, and now, I feel so exposed, knowing that Grant is watching me. Any stranger looking at me right now is fine, but not him. It makes me feel all icky.

"There you are!" Lumi startles me, and I jump a little as he holds a cup out for me. "Whoa. What's wrong?"

"It's Grant," I grumble.

His eyes widen. "He's here?! It's starting to be real fucking horrifying, Blair. What the hell is his deal?"

Running my hand down my face and my neck, I sigh. "I don't know. But I've decided to block him when I get back to Griffin's."

"Good. As you should because he's a creep." Lumi's face twists with disgust.

Nodding, I take a sip of the beer and do my best to push Grant out of my mind. But it's tough when I can't ignore the aching pit in my stomach that is warning me to run.