Chapter 25
Cricket
Staring at my notes, I tick each item that’s handled.
Bartenders is the only item left glaring at me.
“Savvy, can you get someone to walk the bartenders through the rosé versus sparkling wine, which is which, and the protocol for tonight when serving each type? Remember when they didn’t know the difference?
I had to run the bar for two hours that night. What a mess.”
I’m ready to tick the box as soon as she accepts the delegation of duty. But her silence has me lifting my eyes to find her staring at me. “You had sex.”
“Good God, Sav. We don’t have to say everything that crosses our mind.”
She laughs and then comes closer to whisper and singsong in my ear, “Cricket had sex.” She steps back with her all-knowing grin and points at my face.
“Look at that glow.” She goes quiet when a golf cart of servers drives by, but as soon as they pass, she adds, “I have to say, dear cousin, I’m impressed that you got you some after four years of self-inflicted celibacy with the same man who rocked your world the last time. ”
If she didn’t look so impressed, I might be amused.
Just a bit, but I would have. Lowering my phone since she’s clearly not going to allow me the hit of dopamine I get when I check a box, I watch the last row of seats being set up as the florist hurries down the aisle, tying ribbons to the ends of each side.
“You’ve got your facts wrong. Trust me, it wasn’t self-inflicted. ”
“Have you looked in the mirror, like ever?” She comes to stand next to me.
If I know her, and I do very well, her gaze is noting the setup over at the bar, though she still won’t give me the reward of marking it off my list. “You could walk into a Brookshire Brothers Grocers and hook up. So, trust me, it was by choice. Almost like you were saving yourself. Aww. How romantic for someone who has always claimed she’s the opposite. ”
Our gazes slide to each other at the same time. “Oh wow.” The notion settles into my psyche. “That’s what happened, isn’t it?”
“According to you, not on purpose.” A smirk slips out before she says, “I’m off to work with the bartenders.”
I pull up my phone and check the box. I don’t get the instant gratification hit I thought I would, but for some reason, it doesn’t matter. I had sex today with an incredible man who made sure to check all my boxes. I’ll be riding this high all night.
The ceremony was perfect. The reception is going off without a hitch.
I even got a quick hug good night from Jacob between the two events.
Seeing him, even for a few minutes looking all cute in his jammies made my night.
When he asked if he was going to see Griffin again because he was nice made my heart melt on the spot. What an amazing day.
I still can’t stop thinking about the significance of seeing them together at the park.
My worries were totally unfounded. There was not an ounce of jealousy.
Not one iota of fear that Griffin was going to flip our lives upside down for custody.
It’s early days, but I don’t think that’s going to happen.
Not that he won’t want time with him, or that he doesn’t deserve it, but more like it was okay to allow the idea in for the first time.
Griffin isn’t a threat to me by stepping into Jacob’s life.
He’s not replacing me. He genuinely seems to want to give Jacob the dad he deserves.
I think back to the pizzeria when I met Griffin’s dad.
He was the nicest guy who had this playful rapport with Griffin.
There was respect flowing both ways between them.
He’s had a good role model. They’re still very close and put family first. What more could I want for my son?
Happiness is the most important thing I can give him.
I see my brother standing on the outskirts of the open-sided white tent where the party has another hour before closing. I walk over to stand next to him. “What brings you by? Spying for our parents?”
He laughs, looking down at me. “Why would our parents send a spy to check on you, Buggy?” That name is the worst. Will I never outgrow it?
I’ll assume that’s rhetorical since we both already know the answer. “I heard you did big things in France?”
Turning toward me, he scratches his temple and then looks around like someone is watching him. “A few deals were closed.” He looks at me, and says, “I’m thinking about moving there.”
Blindsided, I rock back on my heels. “Will? Why? How? What do you mean?” We’ve not always been on the best of terms. He’s inherited some of my parents’ bad habits when it comes to me, but he’s also my brother, and he’s gone to bat for me when I was under fire.
I stare into his eyes in his silence. A message he doesn’t seem to be able to verbalize is written in the irises. He finally says, “Being born a Dover doesn’t obligate me to a life on this property.”
“Have you told our parents?”
He chuckles like I told a joke. “They’re going to be upset,” I say, telling the truth. I laugh a little just to down play the dramatics, though.
Taking hold of my upper arms, he says, “You have Jacob and . . . Savvy—”
“Oh wow. You’re giving me Savvy.” I roll my eyes, knowing I’m lucky to have her whether I ever marry or not.
“You know what I mean.” He lowers his arms and glances at the reception festivities as they do the Cotton-Eyed Joe.
“You mean since I don’t have a man in my life?”
The guests yelling, “Bullshit,” while they dance and sing is quite the statement as we muddle through our own conversation.
Will says, “Didn’t look that way the other day in your office.”
He’s not wrong. Griffin has captivated almost every thought I’ve had this week.
Before he returned, he was still a frequent mind visitor.
The tides have turned from fantasy to reality in such a short time.
He’s here. He’s real and appears to be staying, at least for the time being.
And the anxiety I had leading up to him finding out about Jacob has all but disappeared.
I’m okay taking this journey with Griffin.
“You’re right, and I don’t want to hide from you guys. ”
“Why would you have to?” His smile sinks into something more suspicious. “Is it because he’s a Greene?”
My heart shouldn’t drop to the bottom of my stomach, but it does. “Greene isn’t a dirty word.”
“It is around here.”
The party is going swimmingly. I flip my full attention to him and cross my arms over my chest. “And why is that exactly?”
“Shit, whatever happened, it was long before we were a thought.”
“That’s the thing. No one seems to know what happened a generation, two, or even three ago, but people around town reference it like it was some great war with no details.
” I look at him, wondering if I can trust him.
Such a horrible thing to believe about your brother, but sometimes I’m not sure where his loyalties lie.
And that’s the real issue, right? Our family is divided.
We’re rarely on the same side. Except apparently, hating the Greene family is supposed to unite us.
Jacob’s a Greene as much as he is a Dover. It makes me question if that changes how my family will feel about him. Maybe Will is right, and it’s time to leave instead of feeling responsible for fulfilling the obligations of our parents’ demands.
How has everything changed so fast? It’s a whirlwind of emotions. I think I need to take one thing at a time. My top priority is Jacob and talking to him about his father.
There’s only one way to see if trust still exists between us. I won’t tell him anything about Jacob until it’s solidified, but I do have other information to drop. “Will?” When his eyes greet me, I ask, “Will you keep Griffin’s last name a secret?”
“Not wise, Buggy. They’re going to find out. Wouldn’t you rather be the one who tells them?”
“No, I wouldn’t, if I’m being honest. Nothing will change their reaction, so my trying to convince them he’s a good person won’t put a dent in their aggravation.”
I can see the moment his eyes get over shadowed by deviousness. He grins, and then says, “You help soften the blow about me moving to France full-time, and I won’t say a word about your boyfriend.”
Boyfriend?
I’ve never thought of him as a boyfriend before.
That might fit someone else I just started dating, but it doesn’t encapsulate what Griffin and I are together.
Everything is bigger and better with him.
We’re even co-parents, for God’s sake. The thought alone has me smiling, though that secret is staying under lock and key for the time being.
So yeah, boyfriend just won’t do for what he means to me. Or my son.
But this isn’t relevant for the deal being struck. His silence is, though. “When are you breaking the news to them?”
“Not sure. I’m taking suggestions.”
“Hmm.” I glance over at him but don’t stare.
My brother was a big hit in high school with my friends.
Annoying. He’s always been the golden child to my parents.
Their first and proudest accomplishment.
This news will send them to an early grave.
Maybe that’s his plan. Will always had a slightly evil side to him, which has me asking, “How did you know Griffin’s last name was Greene? ”
Shaking his head like it’s obvious, he replies, “They used to have a billboard off Ranch Road 23. Peachtree Pass’s pride and joy, all-star baseball player. Don’t you know, it’s the home of the great pro-baller?”
“I didn’t know that. I don’t even know where Ranch Road 23 is. Why were you in Greene County back then?”
“The girls were hotter over there in high school, and I’m not related to them.”
I snort. “It’s hard to escape the family in this county.”
“Or get away with anything.”
“Good point.” Same one Griffin once made. And a billboard? Can’t wait to ask him about that. I bet his ego loved that.
Some of the party goers have started taking off their ties and shoes to get down on the dance floor.
This is when I usually take my leave after a long day of making sure everything turns out perfect for the newlyweds and their guests.
I stand on my tiptoes to look for Savvy, but don’t see her.
“Listen, I need to wrap some stuff up. I’ve been here since ten this morning, and we’re just past eleven.
I’m exhausted. Let me think about things, and let’s talk this week. You’re not in a hurry, right?”
“I’m not unhurried either.” That changes things and is highly interesting. My brother doesn’t act on whims. He’s honestly the most uptight guy after my father. For him to be making what must feel like a rash decision, my mind lands on a theory.
“You’re seeing someone. In France.” Cocking an eyebrow up at him, I challenge, “Tell me I’m wrong.
” He laughs, but it’s faker than fake, and all for show to throw me off the scent.
“Oh brother, I can see right through this ruse.” Grinning like Sherlock Holmes after solving a case, I say, “She must be something special for you to risk the wrath of the Dovers to make this move.” I start to laugh.
“She is.”
It’s then that I see the brother I used to know so well. Maybe he’s been there all along, but villainous was never a good look on him. Though I must admit, he played the role well. I take a step to the side and bump against him before nudging him with my elbow. “You got yourself a deal.”
His arm comes around my shoulders, and he jostles me at his side. “I knew I could count on you, Buggy.”
“About the Buggy . . . let’s end that, okay?”
“You hate it that much, huh?”
“With a passion. It’s cutesy, but it was never used that way when I was little. It was used to make fun of me.”
This time, his side embrace feels genuine. “Consider it retired.”
“Thanks.” With him contemplating a move across the world to be with someone, it has me wondering if I’d move across county lines to be with Griffin. It’s fun to think about, but not something that’s on the table. It’s way too soon for that.
Is it too soon to see him again, though?
Knowing Judy is at the house for the night, I check the time on my watch.
Is it too late to contact him? For all I know, he could already be asleep.
Selfishly, I’m willing to take the chance.
But first, I pull the phone from my pocket to text Savvy, requesting her location.
My brother says, “You go on. I can cover with the crew. What do they have, an hour left?”
“Just under.” A text pops up from my cousin. “Savvy is restocking bottled water, but she’s here as well. She can handle it easily if you don’t want to.”
“I’ll stay. It’s been a long time since I’ve been a part of the events at the winery. It’s good to know all the ins and outs.”
I reply to Savvy and let her know I’m taking off. I also text: I’m going to see if I can get lucky. Again.
Her text pops up quickly: I knew it. Kidding aside, you have fun. You deserve all this good coming your way, cuz.
That built-in family best friend really worked out for us. I type: Thank you. Love you.
She replies: Love you.
When I pocket my phone again, I look up at my big brother. “Hey?”
“Yes?” he replies with a chuckle.
“Thank you.”
With a casual shrug, he nods. “It’s good to know all parts of the business.”
“That’s not what I was referring to.” I put my arm around his back because my immediate family of Dovers aren’t really huggers. But my intentions are good.
His arm comes around me as well. “I know,” he says, his eyes trained on the party. “Now get out of here, kid. Get some rest.”
I walk away, feeling good about our conversation. It’s the first time in years I feel we connected as humans, as siblings, even as equals. I smile. As soon as I reach my car, I send a text to Judy to let her know I’ll be out later. Then I send one to Griffin: You awake?
I don’t see an immediate response, but then the three dots rolling across the screen have me grinning. A reply pops up: Wide awake. You?
I type, holding my breath, and then hit send. I was thinking maybe we could knock another one of those to-dos off your list. What do you think?
I just know he’s already smirking. I can see it so clearly in my head, it’s like he’s here next to me. His message pops onto the screen: How fast can you get over to the Riggins’s house?
Me: Twenty minutes.
Him: If you’re speeding.
I remember joking with him about this very thing. So I text: A few speed limits will be broken, but all for a good cause.
Griffin: For a good cause indeed. We need to knock out this to-do list.
You’d think we hadn’t seen each other in weeks or even months. But even the hours from this morning have been too long without him in them. I send one more text before starting my SUV. I can’t wait to see you again.