Griffin gestured to the couch, and Dustin hesitated for a moment before taking a seat, his posture stiff. Griffin took a seat across from him, folding his arms over his chest, his expression still unreadable.
“So let’s talk,” Griffin said, his voice unwavering, but there was an unmistakable edge of finality to it. He leaned forward, his hands clasped together, and began explainingeverything—the police report, the details of what went down with Damian, the panic, and the way everything spiraled out of control. His words were calm, but there was a fierceness in his tone that made it clear how deeply this situation was affecting him.
As Griffin talked, I felt like a shadow, barely present in the conversation. I stayed in the background, hovering just outside the chaos, nodding along in silence. I couldn’t find my voice, my thoughts too jumbled, too consumed by the events of the past few days. Everything felt like it was happening to someone else, someone distant and untouchable, and yet it was all too real.
Dustin listened intently, his eyes narrowing as Griffin talked about the police investigation, and then the two of them turned to discuss my condo. It was clear they were both thinking about my safety now, the reality of everything setting in.
“I think we need to sell the condo,” Griffin said, his gaze focused on Dustin. “Tate deserves a place where she can feel safe, somewhere with actual security.”
Dustin’s jaw tightened as he processed this. “I can get it done. I’ll make sure she’s protected,” he said with a finality that made me want to shrink even further into the background, feeling more like a bystander than a participant in my own life.
I watched them, but their words didn’t seem to register the way they should. They were discussing my future, my safety, and I was just here, in the corner of the room, listening to them make decisions for me. It wasn’t their fault. I knew they were trying to help.But I felt small.
It was all too much, too fast. A part of me wanted to speak up, to tell them that I was not a victim, that I could make my own decisions, but my throat tightened, and the words stuck. I just nodded again, a passive gesture, but one that felt like it was all I could do right now.
Just as theconversation between Griffin and Dustin started to settle, my phone buzzed on the kitchen counter. The vibration was a harsh break in the otherwise heavy silence, and I glanced at the screen, seeing Millie’s name flashing. My chest tightened instantly, and I grabbed the phone, knowing she’d been worrying about me, but I was not ready for the rush of emotions I knew would come with this call.
“Hello?” My voice cracked, a soft tremor I couldn’t hide.
“Tate, oh my god, are you okay? I’ve been trying to reach you for hours.” Millie’s frantic voice came through the speaker, and I could hear the panic in her tone.
I felt my heart racing. I wanted to reassure her, but the words wouldn’t come. Instead, I glanced at Griffin, who watched me closely, his expression unreadable but protective. I swallowed hard and tried to steady my breath.
“I…I’m fine,” I started, but even I didn’t believe it. “It’s…it’s been a lot. I’m okay, really. I just…I need a minute.”
“Bullshit,” Millie spat, her frustration clear. “You need more than a minute, Tate. I’m on my way over. You’re at Griffin’s place, right? I’ll be there in twenty minutes. You better not hang up until I’m there, do you hear me?”
My pulse quickened at the thought of seeing her face, her worry. I glanced at Griffin again, my chest heavy with everything unsaid between us.
“Please don’t come yet. Griffin is taking care of me, and Dustin is here too,” I whispered, my voice small.
The line went quiet for a beat, and I could almost hearMillie’s thoughts, but then she exhaled loudly, a long breath. “Fine. Call me if you need anything. Tate, I mean it.”
“I will,” I promised quietly before ending the call.
I looked down at the phone in my hand, the weight of the situation pressing down on me, and as I set it back on the kitchen counter, I knew nothing would ever be the same again.
CHAPTER 39
GRIFFIN
PRESENT
The morning light seeped through the curtains, casting a soft golden hue over the room. Tate was still curled up against me, her head resting on my chest, her breath warm against my skin. For the first time in two days, she looked peaceful.Safe. And I wanted to keep it that way.
I tightened my arm around her, pulling her closer as I pressed a slow, lingering kiss to the curve of her neck. She stirred slightly, letting out a sleepy hum but not waking up just yet.
Smirking, I did it again, dragging my lips up to her jaw, letting my stubble graze her soft skin. “Wake up, baby girl,” I murmured, my voice still rough from sleep.
She groaned, nuzzling deeper into my chest. “Too early,” she mumbled.
I chuckled. “It’s not that early. And I need to ask you something.”
Her lashes fluttered open, green eyes still heavy with sleep as she looked up at me. “What?”
I brushed a strand of hair out of her face, letting my fingers linger on her cheek. “Come to the game tonight.”
I saw the hesitation in her eyes before she glanced away, chewing on her bottom lip.
