RIVAL: An Enemies to Lovers Why Choose Country Romance

Chapter 31

Walking into the church behind my father feels as if I’m walking toward judgment day. No, I don’t feel guilty for what’s transpired over the past week, not just with Mason, but also with Griffin. But I should, right?

Mrs. Danielson is standing near the entrance to the main hall of the church with the pews and podium where her husband will deliver this morning’s sermon. Her smile is warm and welcoming. As soon as she spies me behind my father, her eyes twinkle and I silently pray she won’t say a word about me befriending Jaxon and leaving early some days.

If she does, I won’t blame her. It’s not her fault, and I’d never ask her to lie. She just doesn’t know what it would mean for me.

After she says hello to my father, he moves past to find our regular seat. Just before she greets me, her eyes flick over my shoulder, and they light up with glee.

“Well, bless my heart! Mr. Thorton! You decided to come to church this mornin’?”

Whipping my head around, I actually feel my neck crack as I come face to face with my friend and secret crush. He looks...wow. He looks so stinking handsome that I can’t hold back my massive smile as he saunters up to the two of us.

“How are you lovely ladies doing this fine morning?” He seems in such a good mood, and I wish I could pull him outside to find out what’s got him happy and why he’s here. I’m also very much wanting to tell him about my week, but also not sure if I should. Not just because it’s personal, but I do find myself developing more than just friend feelings, and I don’t think I could handle hearing about his trysts with other women.

Mrs. Danielson titters and waves him off. “Why don’t you walk our Edith to her seat, Jaxon? Be a gentleman for me. And Edith, come find me before you leave. I’ve got your dishes from the other week when you brought cookies. I want to make sure you get them back.”

My eyes widen in panic, and I shake my head quickly. “No!” When both of them look at me, stunned by my outburst, I swallow and force out a smile. “I just mean that I need to use the restroom. I’ll go there, then grab them from the kitchen.” Glancing up at Jaxon, I ask, “Are you really staying for the service?”

He chuckles and looks apologetically at Ruth. “I’m not. I just stopped by to get an updated schedule from your husband and some new order forms for materials. I’m heading over to my parents’ place for lunch. Maybe next time, though?” He shrugs and gives her a megawatt smile which absolutely does the trick.

“Jesus will love you no matter if you come this Sunday or next. Josiah is probably in his office right now. Right through there.” She points toward the corner and with a quick wink at me, he disappears through the door.

The two of us watch him leave and I’m startled from my thoughts when she sighs loudly. “If only I were a few years younger.”

She sounds so sorrowful that I can’t stop the laughter from bursting out of me. I notice my father turning back to watch me through narrowed eyes, so I quickly rein myself in. Pressing a fast kiss to Ruth’s cheek, I scurry to the bathroom and wait a few minutes to collect myself, then slip out to join my father in the pew.

I can feel his eyes on me, but I keep my head down and remain frozen until Pastor Danielson speaks. Worrying my lip, I wonder if my father saw me speaking with Jaxon, but I honestly think if he had, we’d already be gone by now.

As the hour ticks by slowly, I grow more relaxed and allow my mind to wander. First, I examine the bit of guilt I’m feeling for not paying attention to the pastor, but I can’t help it. I’ve always felt there was something bigger than me out there. I also don’t think I’d be a regular church attendee if I wasn’t forced to be here.

Although, I do love seeing the Danielsons every week. No matter what they believe and what I believe, they’re still a lovely family and probably the most important to me outside of...

I frown when I can’t think of anyone more important to me than them. I am growing more and more attached to Jaxon and Mason. Griffin too, if I ignore the lack of contact with him, which pretty much tells me everything I need to know. I miss him terribly and I haven’t been able to pick up my favorite book since he left that morning.

Shifting in my seat, I move on to memories of this week. Every single day, Mason has found me somewhere during the morning and shown me things I didn’t think were possible. After the first time we were intimate and he didn’t kiss me, he’s definitely made up for it since.

His comment after the third time when I asked what all of this meant didn’t sit right with me, but at least he was honest. “Let’s just keep this simple. This doesn’t need a definition. We can have our fun.”

Fun is definitely the right word. Just yesterday, he laid me out on a hay bale and put his mouth—

“If you move one more time, I’m gonna drag you outta here and we’ll have words.” My father’s hissed warning is low, but I catch one of the members of the church glance back in our direction.

Embarrassed that I must have been squirming, I drop my head again and concentrate on staying still until we’re finished.

As I follow my father out of the building, barely having a chance to say goodbye to Ruth, I come up short when he swings around to face me.

“I’m goin’ into town. You’ll have to walk home. Corb’s comin’ over for the evenin’, so make somethin’ early.”

With that, he leaves me standing in the parking lot and a cloud of dust as soon as he peels out. Checking around me, I let my shoulders fall in relief that no one witnessed his dismissal and make my way toward the house.

My walk is uneventful and I spend the afternoon gathering food to prepare and settle on a lasagna for the night. I can’t help wondering if Griffin will be joining Corbin, and I’m not sure if I want him to. But I do miss him.

A muted meow drags me from my thoughts and since my father hasn’t returned yet, I hurry to the back door, only to find Billy sitting there looking sad and anxious. The moment he sees me, his cries grow louder, and I push open the door to scoop him up into my arms.

“Why are you here, buddy?” I murmur, trying to calm him as he wiggles in my arms to get closer. His purrs are so loud I have to remind myself the sound isn’t the engine of my father’s van.

As he knocks his head against my chin, I giggle and press my cheek to him. I need to take him back to Mason’s, but I’m not sure how to do that.

I hear doors slam and anxiously look around, trying to figure out where to put Billy. If I set him outside, I know he’ll just cry at the door and my father will find him. Making a quick decision, I run out with him cradled against me, then around the side of the house.

Peering around the corner, I see my father with both Corbin and Griffin, and my heart shoots up to my throat. So, he did come.

I know Griffin left under awkward terms, but I ignore that and attempt to catch his attention. As they walk toward the front of the house, he finally notices me and raises his brows.

Murmuring something to the other two, he starts back toward his truck, then makes a path directly toward me as soon as they’re inside.

“What are you doin’, darlin’?”

I wince at his use of that nickname for me. His face shutters at my reaction and we both silently stare until I blurt out, “Would you help me? My father isn’t a fan of pets, and this little guy isn’t supposed to be here.”

Griffin eyes the kitten bouncing around in my arms. “What do you need me to do?”

With relief that he’s willing to help, I bite the corner of my lip and ask, “Would you take him over to the Coopers? There’s a barn the kittens are staying in, but Billy must have snuck out.”

“Billy?” He huffs out a laugh, but when I don’t return it, he sobers up. “You just want me to take him over there for you?”

Nodding quickly, I shove the kitten into his arms. Thankfully, Billy takes immediately to Griffin, purring up a storm and trying to lick his chin. “Mr. and Mrs. Cooper should be home. If you just knock and ask if you can run him back to the hay barn, I’m sure they’d let you. It’s the one that’s closest to the house. There are two other kittens in there as well, so if you just set him inside, he’ll be fine.”

He doesn’t look thrilled but agrees anyway.

Then, a thought occurs to me. “Were you planning on staying today? Will they think it’s weird if you leave for a few minutes?”

Looking sheepish, he avoids my eyes. “I was just dropping off my brother since now his truck is fucked up. Just in time for mine to get fixed after their little road trip.”

I deflate.

“Well, I’m, umm… I’m sorry if you don’t feel comfortable coming by because of—”

“It has nothin’ to do with you, darlin’. I promise. I really do have shit I need to do tonight before the week starts.” He pauses, then asks, “Are you doin’ okay? You know, after everythin’? I feel like things weren’t right between us when I left.”

Standing up straight, I smile at him even though I agree. It didn’t feel good being pushed aside, but like Jaxon said, he has a right to decide who he’s around and wants to spend time with.

“I’m doing okay, Griffin. I hope you don’t feel like you can’t be here because of that. It’s not like I’m hanging around, anyway.”

He scowls at me. “Why is that, by the way? Why don’t you spend time downstairs when everyone is here?”

Uncomfortable with his line of questioning, I internally scold myself for even saying something. “I don’t really know your brother, and I didn’t know you until recently. I just try to respect my father and give him time to himself without me underfoot.”

“But you cook.”

I cock my head at him. “I do.”

Scowling harder, he says, “But if you’re cookin’, you ought to at least eat your meal in the kitchen. You don’t even do that unless your dad is passed out in his chair.”

I’m not sure what he wants from me, so I redirect. “You don’t mind taking Billy back over to the Coopers’ for me?”

“No, I don’t mind. Although I’m not a fan of their son, but I’ll do it. Hold him a minute and I’ll go let them know I’m leavin’.” Setting Billy back into my arms, he leaves me at the side of the house feeling as if I’ve pissed him off. Worrying myself won’t fix anything, but I wish I knew how to navigate this new “we’ve had sex and now we aren’t” situation.

It’s only a few minutes before he’s heading back and taking Billy from me. “I’ll get him over there. Your dad’s lookin’ for you, by the way.”

Eyeing the house with trepidation, I nod. “I really appreciate your help.”

“Darlin’,” he calls out when I turn to leave. Pausing, I glance over my shoulder at him, waiting until he tells me what he needed. “Are you really doin’ okay? I’m feelin’ all sorts of wrong about leavin’ the way I did.”

“I’m fine, Griffin. You don’t need to feel any obligations toward me.” Hesitating, I add, “But I do wish we could have finished our book.”

With that, I turn and leave him standing in the yard with a little kitten crawling up to his shoulder.

Faintly, I hear him murmur, “We’re gonna damn well finish our book.” I’m not going to hold out any hope.

Entering the kitchen, I drop my shoulders when I hear Griffin pull out of the drive and stick my head into the living room where Corbin and my father are fully settled in. My father notices me and asks, “When’s dinner?”

“About half an hour. I’ll let you know when it’s ready.”

Corbin throws out a quick thanks and I nod once before slipping back into the kitchen. Everything is already baking, so I just need to wait quietly until it’s done, then I can escape to my room and keep quiet until my father is asleep.