Chapter 40
CHAPTER FORTY
Piper
Class didn’t go as well as I’d hoped tonight. That’s because Cameron’s cock stole the show. Every woman was practically salivating in her seat and all the men, including Griffin, wouldn’t look in Cameron’s direction.
He has a very large dick.
Before class, he whispered to me that he was feeling a draft.
I whispered back that’s why I pay him so much.
Unfortunately, Cameron’s not going to get rich taking on side jobs like the one he’s doing for me. It’s pocket change compared to what he could be making in print or magazine ads.
He’s incredibly attractive, but the only man I’m interested in is currently sitting across a table from me, nervously tapping his fingers on his chin.
We’re at Jo’s diner.
I didn’t want to take this conversation to a bar because I would have been tempted to order a drink. Since I haven’t eaten much today, I know I’d feel a buzz straight away and I want a clear mind while we talk.
He looks down at the mug of coffee in front of him. “My family went through a rough patch years ago. We’re still trying to sort through that.”
I thought there would be some small talk before we got to the core of what happened last week, but I’m not complaining. I want him to open up even if we end tonight as just friends. I know that he’s a good guy. He has to be if he dropped his entire life to run to the aid of his family.
I’d do the same for my parents if they needed me, so I can’t fault him for that.
“Do you want to talk about it?” I offer.
He shakes his head, the corner of his lip twitching. “My mom has these panic attacks, and she’s had a heart attack. Sometimes she can’t tell what’s bearing down on her so she’ll call me.”
“Which was it last week?”
He purses his lips. “Both. It wasn’t a full-blown heart attack but her blood pressure spiked. It was sorted at the hospital pretty quickly.”
I breathe a sigh of relief. My dad had a procedure two years ago to clear a small blockage in one of his arteries.
It was found during a routine test and the doctor said it was the proactive thing to do.
I was still scared, even though I had every reassurance from my dad, my mom and the cardiologist that everything would be fine.
“How is she doing now?” I move to take a sip of coffee.
He follows my movements with his gaze. “She’s doing better. She’s back at home.”
I jump at the chance to know more about his family. “Does she live in New York?”
“Connecticut,” he answers quickly. “I drove up with Draven. My brother, Draven, has a truck. He drove me to see her.”
He mentioned his brother earlier; my interest is piqued again. “You said that you spent the weekend with him? At the hospital?”
“No.” He exhales harshly. “We stayed at my mom’s house. Draven has a daughter. She took the trip with us, so we hung out with her and my mom once she was released and back home.”
“What about your dad?”
He hesitates briefly before he answers. “My folks are divorced. He dropped out of the picture years ago. ”
I blink a few times, imagining him with his family. I can’t help but wonder what they’re like.
“I should have kept in touch with you.” He leans back in the wooden chair. “I’ve always been the glue for my family. They look to me for strength. I don’t have time to think when I’m trying to put out their fires.”
I see the weariness in his face and I hear it in his voice. There’s more to tell. I know there is. He’s on the cusp of opening up, but it’s too soon. We’ve only known each other a few weeks.
“I understand,” I say softly, genuinely. “I was worried. I was curious too. That’s the only reason I went to your office after you didn’t show up at the café. I wanted to know what you meant when you said we should talk.”
“You were at my office?” His brows perk. “I didn’t know that.”
I’m surprised that he didn’t hear about it from Dylan or Joyce. I told them I’d talk to him myself, but I thought they’d at least mention my visit to him.
“Griffin,” I take a breath before I continue, looking for strength. “I got a little freaked out when I was there. Maybe, a lot freaked out.”
“Because I wasn’t there?”
“No.” I shake my head. “My sketch wasn’t there. It had been taken down. I thought…”
“Jesus, Piper.” He moves forward, his hands reaching across the table to cover mine. “You thought I was done with you? Is that it? I was a no-show for coffee and then you see your sketch is gone. You must have thought I was a no-good asshole who dumped you by ghosting.”
My lips slide into a smile. “I would leave out the no-good asshole part, but I did wonder if it was over.”
“This,” he begins before he tugs on my hands. “This is the best part of my life. I need this. I need you.”
I need him too. I want him to mean what he’s saying.
“I could have been there for you,” I say even though I know the words don’t carry a lot of weight considering the fact that we haven’t even defined what we are to one another. “I know this thing between us is new, but I’m a good friend.”
“You’re a great girlfriend,“ he corrects me with a wink.
My breath catches in my throat. That’s a big step. “I’m your girlfriend?”
“I want you to be,” he says quietly. “I mean I feel like we were heading in that direction until I took that left turn and drove this off the track.”
“We can get back on track if you promise me something.”
“Anything.” He squeezes my hands. “I’ll promise you anything.”
“The next time you take a left turn, make sure I’m beside you. Don’t leave me behind.”
He gives me a wicked smile. “I’ll keep that promise.”
I pull back my hand, grateful that this isn’t ending tonight. I want more time with him. I want to explore where this is going, what it could potentially be.
“I’ll stop by the gallery tomorrow afternoon to buy another sketch.” He finishes off his coffee.
“Another one?” I can’t mask my grin.
He nods. “I gave the one in my office to mom. I told her the most incredible woman I’ve ever met drew it.”
I dip my chin to hide the emotion I know is in my eyes. “Did she like it?”
When he doesn’t answer immediately, I look up to find him with a tear in the corner of his eye. “She loved it, Piper.”