Page 137 of What If I See You
“Hey,” I console him in a partial whisper, rubbing his back and then bringing my hand up to the back of his head as he keeps me in his grip. “You okay?”
“Yeah, I just…fuck, I missed you.” Finally, he sets me down and then presses his lips to mine, his hands holding my face as he takes control, his tongue slipping into my mouth and colliding with mine. For just a moment I allow myself to get lost in him forgetting that his family is in the same room.
His woodsy scent fills my senses with a familiarity I didn’t expect. Like I’m in my own home, where I am free to be me. Griffin is my family. My home. He’s all I’ve ever wanted. All I’ll ever need.
His protective hold gives me the reassurance I need that no matter where I go, he is with me. Helping me. Encouraging me. Keeping me safe. I am his and he is mine. He’s my partner for life.
His mouth against mine makes me feel wanted. Cherished. Desired and most of all, loved. This man loves me. I have no doubt. Which makes my decision to not look at Miami any further feel that much better.
When he pulls away, he slowly opens his eyes and stares at me. A coy smile spreads across his face. It’s not his regular happy-go-lucky good-humored smile, like when he’s goofing off with his teammates, but I’ll take it understanding the day he’s clearly had. Hearing his voicemail on my phone when I got off the plane damn near ripped my heart out. I could hear his fear and uncertainty dripping from his voice. I knew he needed me and did all I could to get the hospital as fast as possible.
“I missed you too, Griffin,” I whisper. “And I’m so sorry I wasn’t here for you when you needed me.”
He shakes his head. “No, I’m sorry, Lake. I know I should’ve called you earlier. I could’ve at least texted. I just…” He shakes his head again, this time pushing a hand through his hair. “I was kind of running on auto. I wasn’t thinking.”
“It’s okay. Corri called me. She knew you were radio silent. Apparently the guys had tried to text you a good bit but you weren’t answering and…” I shrug cautiously. “They were concerned.”
“So, you flew six hours just to check on me?”
“I’d do anything for you, Griffin.”
“How was the interview?” He eyes me. “I’m sorry I totally forgot to ask.”
“Oh.” I wave off his question. “I told them to fuck it.”
His eyes bulge, a baffled expression on his face. “You what?”
“Okay, so I didn’t say it in those words,” I explain to everyone, noticing Griffin’s parents listening to our conversation. “But I did tell them thanks but no thanks.”
Griffin’s shoulders fall slowly. “You did?”
“Yeah.” I nod.
“But why? Layken it was a dream job for you. I would follow you anywhere. If you want to call them back I’ll go with you. We can work something out. I want you to be happy.”
I place my hand tenderly on his cheek. “Then believe me when I say there is no place I would rather be than right here in California. With you and our friends.” I look around the hospital room at Gage and then Griffin’s parents. “And our family.”
I gesture to Gage. “Besides, if I move to Miami, when would I get to hang out with this handsome guy here and make social media videos with him?” I gesture to his mom. “And when would I get to ask your mom to go book shopping with me or have her teach me how to make the world’s best lasagna?” I step over to his dad. “And when would I get to hang with this loving guy to hear every sappy Griffin story from your childhood so I can fall in love with you all over again?”
Griffin’s dad laughs and wraps his arm around me, hugging me into his side. “Oh, I’m game for those chats any time you want, Layken.”
I turn back to Griffin, wrapping my arms around his torso as he hugs me against his chest. “And if we move to Miami, I’d never get to experience the cock verse wiener game with the guys and something tells me, it’s an experience I would never forget.”
“Oh, you have no idea,” Griffin chuckles, kissing the top of my head.
Just then Griffin’s phone dings in his pocket and he pulls it out to check who it’s from. Smiling at his phone he turns to show Gage a video of his teammates all wishing him well and telling him they can’t wait to see him at one of their home games as soon as he’s feeling up to it.
Gage is all smiles, as is Griffin and his parents.
Seeing the love in this room, including the love and encouragement from the guys on the team, it’s all I needed to see to breathe a huge sigh of relief that I’m making all the right decisions for me and for my future with Griffin.
This is the life I want.
A life with Griffin by my side.
A life with a loving, supportive family.
A life with the best friends I could ever be blessed to know.
