“Couldn’t let him hurt you,” he said, and I leaned against his chest, listening to his voice as he talked to the other players. I sipped on the water he gave me and then the coffee, feeling the blurry edges of reality slip away and everything come back into focus.
Griffin had just protected me from someone he didn’t even know. He didn’t bat an eye or hesitate in the slightest.
Was I seeing everything correctly?
Was he really this good to me, or did he want something in return?
Was I really going to question his motives right now after he so selflessly saved me?
Why am I like this?
I should get out of here now while I can. After all, this was Griffin’s night, the night the rookie beat all odds, and I wasn’t taking that away from him.
“I’m good to go home now,” I told him, slipping off the barstool, and he shook his head.
“You’ve had too much to drink, and I’m not letting you take an Uber home in that.”
I wanted to argue, but I knew he was right.
“So…what’s your bright idea?”
“I’ll drive you home.”
“How much have you had to drink?”
“I don’t drink.” He helped me stand and then rested a hand on the small of my back, escorting me out of the restaurant and then down the elevator to the valet.
“My car,” I told him, and he nodded.
“Need you to hold a car overnight. You can charge my account,” he said, and then he helped me into the passenger side of a big black Escalade.
“I don’t need you to pay for me,” I whispered as I settled in, feeling sleep pull at me. I always got sleepy when I drank.
“I owe you more than covering a night of parking, Grace.”
He woke me once we entered town, and I guided him to my condo.
“Where are you going to sleep? It’s late. You can’t drive all the way back.”
“Probably my car.”
That would be so bad for his back.
“You can sleep in Dustin’s room. The sheets are fresh. Nothing fancy, though.”
“You don’t need to do that.”
“Do what?”
“Be nice to me. I don’t deserve any kindness from you.”
“I’m tired, Griff. I don’t feel like being mean right now.”
He followed me inside and helped me unlock the door after I failed twice, still tipsy after the water and little bit of coffee I managed to sip. He looked around the place and smiled. I kickedoff the stupid heels and let my toes sink into the soft carpet with a delighted sigh.I hated high heels.
“It looks like you.”
“You don’t know me anymore,” I pointed out and then led him to Dustin’s room. “Everything you need is there. There’s only one bathroom, and it’s in my room, so give me ten minutes, and then you can come shower.” I left before he could say anything.
