Chapter 10
Griffin
We drive out to Billionaire Boulevard with what looks to be the Mount Everest of baked goods in the back.
“You baked all morning?”
I keep my eyes on the road. One look at her, and I’ll forget I’m even driving.
Her hair is down. First time I’ve seen it like that, and it’s shiny, like a waterfall running over her back in soft waves.
It’s enticing. I want to run my fingers through it to feel the softness against my dry, hardened hands.
She has on another flowing dress, and I realize she’s hiding her bump.
Not sure why. We all know she’s pregnant.
But I’m also not complaining, because these long, flowing dresses she wears have her breasts lifted like a feast for my eyes.
The dress also sways when she moves, her body flirting as she walks.
But even though she’s beautiful, she seems different. Her usual sparkle is a little dull.
“Yeah. I enjoy it. I find it therapeutic. Plus, I didn't want to turn up empty-handed.”
“You’ve left no doubt with what's on my back seat,” I grumble, taking the turn to where me and the other guys live.
“Did I go too far? I want to make a good impression. And after Tanner ate one of my terrible batches of buns, I feel like I need to redeem myself.” Her words rush out. It means a lot to her to ensure her bakery is a success. If I didn’t see it before, I see it now.
“You did fine.” We pull up and park, and I jump out quickly, going straight to her door, helping her slide out of my truck, which is too high for her, especially in her current condition. “Easy,” I warn her as she turns to slide down off the passenger seat.
She huffs. “I’m pregnant, not totally inept.”
I tame my grin at her feistiness as I help her out, my hands holding hers.
The feeling of her soft hands in mine is foreign, yet I like it.
I’ve noticed she’s increasingly coming out of her shell around me.
Around the bakery, she works quietly, and after our initial meeting, she was somewhat reserved.
Now she’s found a little confidence. And it looks good on her.
“Let me get the goods,” I tell her once she's on safe ground, not wanting her to lift a thing. Our eyes connect, and she doesn’t give me any pushback.
“You’re here. Welcome!” Hudson walks out to meet us, and a slew of kids follow him, chasing each other, throwing balls, and squealing. I cringe.
“Fucking kids,” I mumble, and Savannah huffs a laugh.
“What did you expect at a kids’ party?” Her lips quirk as she grabs one of the containers from my hands, as Hudson reaches out to grab another, and we follow him inside.
“Don’t mind him. He’s always the grumpy one,” Hudson jests, and Savannah's smile almost has me stumbling over the entry steps as we walk inside.
As predicted, everyone’s here, and it’s a fucking circus.
Kids screaming and running around. Parents mingling in different groups.
There’re a few faces I don't even know. Probably from school or sports or some shit.
I pass the containers to Lacy, who has her toddler on her hip, her mom helping her in the kitchen.
Meanwhile, Savannah is swooped up by the women; Victoria, Daisy, and Charlotte circle her like sharks who smell fresh blood in the water, all of them talking fast like a gaggle of geese, and I quickly move to the left out of their path before I get a headache.
“You turned up, huh?” Tanner comes to my side, passing me a drink.
He’s got his little girl on his hip. If I thought Victoria would make Tanner buckle, his little daughter has him completely on his knees.
Amber, who I have no doubt is named after his liquor, is a toddler, with cute pigtails and big blue eyes like her mother, who also has her mom’s unrelenting passion for the color pink.
“Uncy Gif.” She giggles at me, and despite my solid frame, it does soften me a bit.
“Hey, kiddo.”
She grins and claps as Tanner puts her down, and we watch her walk on wobbly legs over to the girls.
“Thought I better. I missed the last one.” It’s a fucking kids’ monsoon in here. Squealing and giggling from the girls and the boys roughhousing and throwing balls.
“I see you went to the bakery first…”
I don’t look at him, busy watching Savannah’s face light up with all the attention at making new friends. Amber walks right up to her and giggles, cuddling her knees as all the women swoon. I can feel Tanner’s gaze burning into the side of my head.
“She needed a lift.” Though my response is true, it gives me pause. I’m not even sure she has a vehicle, and I frown thinking about it.
“Are these ones safe to eat?” Connor leans in, grabbing a cupcake from the counter behind me, and I chuckle.
“Yeah, she has her taste back. Best I’ve ever eaten.” I watch as he shoves a bite into his mouth and chews before his eyes widen comically.
“Oh, damn. Sooo good,” he mumbles with his mouth full, and my chest puffs, pride shining through.
“Told you.” I still haven't looked at Tanner, whose gaze hasn’t moved from my face.
“Uncle Griff, come play, come play.” The birthday boy, Harvey, runs up to me, a glove and ball in his hand. Fuck.
“Yeah, come! You never play!” Sawyer’s boy, Kevin, backs him up.
I take a deep breath. I usually say no. Playing with kids isn’t really my thing.
Kids in general aren’t really my thing. Too loud.
Too boisterous. Reminds me too much of my past, so much so, my heart hurts.
But I look over to Savannah and catch her watching me, taking in all the kids who now surround me.
Swallowing hard, I pass my drink to Tanner and roll my shoulders.
“Alright… let’s go.”
The kids yell in excitement, attracting the attention of everyone around us, and as I follow them outside, I meet Savannah’s surprised gaze. I keep my face like stone as I walk past, yet I’m basking in the way she’s looking at me.
“What the hell are you doing? You never play with the kids,” Sutton, Hollywood celebrity, one of the newer locals and my neighbor here in Whispers, asks as I walk past.
I shake my head, having no real idea what the hell I’ve agreed to. My body still hurts from sleeping on the hardwood floor last night, my mind forgetting I’m not in my twenties anymore, my forties a whole different ball game.
“Batter up!” I yell as I grab one of the kids’ baseball bats, and all the boys and girls run around and get into position. Tanner, Connor, and Hudson, along with Sawyer and Sutton, all stand at the side, watching me like I’ve grown a second head.
“Have you been drinking this morning?” Sawyer frowns.
“Just coffee.”
“I think he’s having a midlife crisis…” I hear Sutton say to his brother, and I roll my eyes before finally meeting Tanner's gaze, the silent intrigue making me move them away almost instantly.
Harvey throws the ball, and I hit it, the ball going for miles as we all watch it fly straight over to the fields. The kids screech and all run together to go and find it as I stand and watch, my friends all shaking their heads.
I last about thirty minutes, but it feels like all day as the kids decide Uncle Griff is their new plaything. Baseball is not my sport of choice; I prefer football, but it’s easy enough, although my back may prove otherwise tomorrow.
“Alright, I’m done.” I throw them the ball. I’ve had an audience the whole time. Probably because I never play with the kids for this long. I never partake in any kind of group activities. Rarely make an appearance at these kinds of parties.
“Noooo!” Harvey yells, running to me.
“Come back!” Preston shouts right behind him.
“Not yet!” Kevin races to me, and before I know it, Harvey, Kevin, Preston, and what feels like twenty of their friends jump on me, all trying to drag me back to the grassy lawn where they’re playing.
Kids hang off my arms and legs, and I walk slowly toward my friends, dragging all of them along the grass like I’m the Hulk, which seems to heighten their excitement and does little to help the stiffness in my back. I’m too old for this shit.
“Looks like you have some new fans.” Tanner’s analyzing my every move, unable to hide his amusement.
“What’s up with you?” Sutton looks me up and down like he hasn’t seen me before. He hasn’t. Not like this.
“He’s been working at the bakery…” Tanner drops, and Sutton looks over to the gaggle of women before he looks back at me and nods.
“Ah. Makes sense.”
“What does?” The kids jump off me, no longer interested as they run toward the farm animals off to the side.
He narrows his eyes. “You’re different. Trying to impress someone.”
“Am not.” My shoulders tighten.
“Oh, so she’s available, then? Because my security guy Jackson is looking—”
“She’s not his type.” The words rush out quickly, and I don’t miss when he rolls his lips. My frown deepens.
“Hmmm, alright… whatever you say…” Sutton grins, walking back inside, and Tanner and I follow. As I make my way toward Savannah, she looks up and gives me a smile, and I immediately stand ten feet taller, my back ache suddenly barely noticeable.
As the kids swarm me again, I feel out of my element. Sutton's right. This isn’t me.
But her grin widens at the sight, so I find myself picking up Harvey, throwing him over my shoulder, and running back down to the lawn to play again.
All because it makes her smile. And the warmth I feel from her attention is one I haven't felt for decades.