24. Griffin

" G ood morning, gorgeous," Lumi sings, handing Blair her usual cup of coffee from Cogsworth.

I was talking with Lumi the other day and gave him a gift card for the kiosk he always gets coffee from. I don't know what his financial situation looks like, but I never want him to struggle enough that he can't bring Blair her coffee. I would do that for her, but it's kind of their thing, and I don't want to impose. So, instead, I gave him a thousand-dollar gift card so that he wouldn't have to worry about it, and neither would I.

They fall into conversation about Paul as we walk down the cobblestones toward class.

"Hey." Blair bumps me with her shoulder as we enter the classroom. "You haven't asked me for a tutoring session lately."

Smiling, I look into the eyes of the reason why and tell her, "Because I don't need them anymore."

She squints her eyes at me and pinches her brows. "Really? Just like that?"

I chuckle. "Not quite. But in a way, yes. I found the root of my problems, and once that happened, everything sorted itself out."

"Huh … care to share more about your breakthrough?" she murmurs as more students file into class.

Reaching out, I tuck one of her loose, curly strands behind her ear. "One day. But it's because of you that I found it. I couldn't have done it without you."

Her cheeks burn, and she grins bashfully. "Well, that's because I'm an excellent tutor."

"You sure are." I lean down and kiss her forehead.

"Yuck. You lovebirds are giving me a cavity," Malik groans next to me and rubs his temples.

Smacking his hand, I scold him, "You remember what happened to the last guy who had shit to say about her?"

"What do you mean?" Blair asks.

Malik props his head in his hand and leans on his elbow on the desk, directing his full attention her way. But not before addressing me. "First off, I wasn't talking about her. I was referring to you mostly. The Beast seems more like a puppy dog nowadays."

I do my best to keep a straight face, but I can't, and I burst out laughing, along with Blair and Lumi.

He looks at Blair. "Secondly, you were at that game—the one where Griffin practically broke that guy's face. Well, that could be a few different games. But the last home game."

"That was about me?" she asks shyly, her eyes bulging.

Looking forward, I feel weirdly vulnerable at this moment. I might have kicked that guy's ass right in front of her, but she probably thought it was just some hockey fight.

Malik scoffs, "Are you kidding? The only times I've seen him go completely ballistic are when it's about you. He might have earned his nickname, but he's a whole other monster when it comes to defending you."

Dr. Schrute clears his throat and starts talking to the class about today's lecture.

Blair leans over and whispers in my ear, "My hero."

Now, my cheeks are the ones burning.

After class, Blair and I decide to grab a quick bite to eat at the café before we part ways for the afternoon. I've got to review previous game tapes with our team and coaching staff. Then take the ice for practice for a couple of hours.

As we walk across the campus to the library, I slide my hand over hers, intertwining our fingers. "I heard some stuff about Grant."

Her grip tightens in mine. "What's that?"

"Levi, who's friends with a few of the football players, said that he hasn't been showing up to any classes or practices since our little altercation."

She tenses immediately. "Why?"

"I wish I had an answer for you, but I have no idea, and neither did Levi," I tell her, hating how rigid she has become since I brought him up .

"He's been AWOL," I say, debating on whether telling her was a good idea, but I will never deliberately keep something from her.

"That's … concerning," she murmurs, and I hate the trembling fear in her voice.

"At least he's disappearing," I sigh, hoping it stays that way. Swinging our connected hands between us, I change the subject. "I want to take you on a date."

She snaps her head up at me, grinning. "You do?"

Nodding, I chuckle at her surprise. "Yes, I do. Like a real date. We get dressed up, go out to dinner or a movie, or both."

She becomes giddy, her words joyful. "That sounds amazing. When?"

"Tomorrow night?" I offer, wanting at least a day to plan something nice out.

She steps inside the library, and I follow behind her. "It's a date."

"Good."

She leads us through the silent library, through sky-high shelves and endless titles, until we reach a cozy corner of the gigantic room. She drops her backpack onto the table before turning to me.

"See you after practice?"

"Yeah. Should be done around four, and then I'll come straight here," I tell her, wishing that time would slow down a bit whenever I'm with her.

She stretches up onto her tiptoes, and I lean down, closing the distance, and kiss her, pulling her tighter against me with a hand around her waist.