23. Griffin
CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE
GRIFFIN
F our days.
It’s been four fucking days since Layken came home and told me about this upcoming interview and hospital tour…in Miami fucking Florida.
And for some reason that I can’t put into words, it’s been the longest four days of my life. Though I’ve been busy with gym time, practices, and two games in those four days, it feels like I’m running on empty. Like, I’m just going through the motions to what I fear will be an inevitable loss.
She leaves tomorrow.
And the team leaves for Portland in two days and then we’re in Chicago the day after that.
The Red Tails have become our biggest personal rivalry over the last few years. Ever since Oliver’s sister married one of the birds, we’ve taken it upon ourselves to tease the hell out of them, ruffle their feathers, and then celebrate with them win or lose afterwards. We’re rivals and friends, as it should be, and I’m very much looking forward to seeing them, but there’s been an ache in my chest all day. A nagging feeling that my wife, the woman I’ve fallen head over heels for, is going to go to Miami and will fall in love with this new job opportunity and not ever care to look back.
I’m afraid she’ll leave me.
I’ve racked my brain for ideas, anything to subliminally show her that she loves it here and doesn’t want to leave.
But why would she stay?
Her family doesn’t give a shit about her, so other than me or Corrigan, she has no other ties to Anaheim.
She could start a fresh new life. Make a new best friend.
Marry some other guy…
I know I shouldn’t be putting myself into this depressive state, especially right before one of our biggest games of the season, but fuck if my fear isn’t grabbing a hold of my balls and squeezing the hell out of them.
All I want to do is love on Layken.
She’s all I’ve been thinking about for days.
We’ve had sex every single day since the moment I apologized to her for being an asshole the other night. The moment I closed the door to the bathroom and turned on the shower I regretted every word I said to her. She didn’t deserve any of it. I overreacted and I couldn’t stop myself even though I knew. I knew I was being an ass. So, I turned around and opened the door and fucking kissed her until she forgave me because I’m a fucking sucker for Layken Elizabeth Ollenberg.
Once she told me I was forgiven, I carried her right into the shower and pleasured her until she came.
Twice.
I can’t fucking get enough of her.
Her scent.
Her body.
Her voice.
The way she sighs when she’s coming down from her orgasm.
Fuck.
It’s the most melodious sound and I live for it.
I crave it.
I work for it.
And even though we’ve promised each other that no decisions will be made without talking about it first, the darkest parts of me are telling me her decision is already made and she’s going to leave me.
The bathroom door opens and she steps out wrapped in a towel after her bedtime shower. Inhaling a deep breath I watch her every move.
“Have I ever told you how beautiful you are?”
Her lips turn up into a smile. “Every single day, actually.”
I lie on my back, my hand rubbing over my stomach and chest. “Hmm. Really?”
“Mhmm.”
“Good. I need you to remember it.”
She turns toward me, combing her fingers through her golden wet tendrils, her brows coming together. “Why do I need to remember it?”
“You know.” I shrug lazily. “In case I’m ever not around to remind you.”
She turns out the overhead light to our room, casting us into the glow of the moon shining through the windows. Then she crawls onto the bed and over to my side where she pulls back the covers and shimmies over me until she’s straddling my naked body with her own. Well, she’s nearly naked.
Fuck me.
Her warm pussy pressed against my dick is a feeling I will never fucking tire of.
“And why wouldn’t you be around to remind me?” she asks pointedly. “Are you going somewhere?”
I reach up and slowly pull apart the towel wrapped around her and let it fall to the floor. This way I can see all of my wife.
God, she’s stunning like this.
So, fucking sexy.
“I’m not going anywhere, Naughty,” I tell her, softly trailing my fingers from the base of her collar bone, down her sternum, to her pelvis and then I feather them down her thigh. “But you’re flying in a different direction tomorrow and I just want you to remember how beautiful you are. And that I love you more than I can ever put into words.”
“Griffin.” She places her hands on my chest and looks me square in the eye. “I’m not leaving you. You know that, right?”
I swallow the lump in my throat and nod wordlessly because if I open my mouth right now I might very well beg her not to go tomorrow.
To resist the temptation.
Logistically, I can give her anything she desires.
She could live with me and never work a day in her life.
But I also know that wouldn’t make Layken happy.
She has a gift. A talent that reaches farther than just writing romance books. She’s an out-of-the-box thinker when it comes to raising money and helping people. Especially kids.
She needs to go to this interview.
She needs to do this for her.
And as much as it fucking sucks, I respect it.
I respect her.
Because I love her.
“And you know I’m going to fly into Chicago so I can be with you for the game, right? We’ll be apart for one weekend. That’s it.”
“Yeah.” I give her my best smile. “You won’t want to miss us killing the birds.”
She giggles. “I can’t wait.”
“And then you can tell me all about your interview while I’m ten inches deep inside you.”
She starts to laugh, nearly bursting out, but stops when she feels how hard I am underneath her.
“Did you have something to say, wife?”
She nods, still trying to stifle her giggle. “Yeah. I do.”
Good Lord, she’s going to emasculate me.
She likes to tease me. It’s one of the things I love about her. Her unwavering ability to poke fun at me to keep me grounded. She’s fucking good at it.
“Alright, out with it.”
She bends forward, her nipples brushing my chest and I gasp at the sensation and bring my hands to her ass on instinct. She lowers her lips to mine feathering her tongue against them and then whispers, “I think ten inches isn’t quite correct, husband.”
“No?”
Here it comes.
She’s good at teasing me about my cock.
I guess I bring it on myself.
She lifts up and wraps her hand around my cock, squeezing the base the way she knows I like. “It’s at least eleven,” she says, and then lowers herself on top of me, soaking my cock as I push inside of her.
“Fuck, Layken,” I moan at the tightness of her pussy. “So, fucking good.”
Her eyes lock with mine as she moves against me painstakingly slowly, feeling me stretch her, taking me in inch by inch. “I love you, Griffin,” she says, moving her hips backward and forwards with my cock inside her.
I bring my hands to her soft breasts, lifting up to suck a nipple into my mouth. She arches her back and I place a hand there to hold her steady while I circle her sensitive bud with my tongue, flicking, licking, sucking.
Flicking, licking, sucking.
And then I move to the other side and repeat my movements.
“Yes.” She sighs. Her hand slides through my hair holding me to her chest as she fucks me, sliding against my hardened shaft, seeking the pleasure she deserves.
The pleasure I want to give her every fucking day for as long we both shall live.
My arm wrapped around her, I roll us until she’s underneath me and I can feast my eyes on her beautiful face while our bodies connect in ways I never thought would actually mean something to me.
She arches her back when I sink inside her again, stretching her as she frames my cock in her warmth, in her arousal. “I love you too, Layken. Do you feel me?”
“Yes,” she hisses.
“I don’t ever want to lose this feeling with you, Lake,” I tell her, my eyes moving between her stare and the connection happening below us. “The way you take me.” I shake my head. “You’re perfect for me.” I push inside her even more until I’m balls deep and can’t go any farther. She gasps at the fullness. “So, fucking perfect.”
Her hands are on my back, her nails digging into my skin, marking me in what I’m positive will be visible scratch marks tomorrow. And I will wear every single one of them with pride.
“Griffin!” she cries, tears springing to her eyes. “You were made for me too. Me, and only me.”
“That’s right, Naughty.” I kiss her forehead as I rock my hips trying my damnedest to keep myself in control. I brush her tears away with my thumbs and then kiss her cheeks where they once were. “You and me. Forever.”
“Forever.”
I lift her legs and rest them on my shoulders and then reach down and palm her breasts.
“Come with me.”
It’s not a command as much as a question. A request.
“Yes,” she nods fervently. “Please, Griffin.”
She rocks her body as I piston my hips against her until we find the rhythm and speed we both need. I apply just enough pressure to her nipples that her mouth falls open and she gasps a breath.
“Oh God! Griffin! Yes!”
Her pussy clenches around my cock and I hasten my speed to get us both where we want to be. A spark ignites in my spine and I swear words come out of my mouth in a garbled mess of sounds as white-hot heat spread through my chest.
“Oh, fuck! Lake.”
“Yes! Please Griffin. Please!”
I bring my hand up her chest, wrapping it lightly around her throat and her wide heated eyes stare back at me. Our mouths open as we pant together. I thrust inside her once, twice, three more times and then she’s coming hard, her slick pussy clenching around me, squeezing me, holding me inside her like a prisoner.
“Fuck! Layken. Oh, fuck!”
She reaches up and brings her mouth to mine, swallowing my words as I come inside her, filling her with my love.
My promise.
My vow.
“God, I’ll never not love you.”
I didn’t sleep a fucking wink last night.
Sleeping without my wife by my side might be the single worst thing I’ve ever tried to do. How did I become such a sucker for her? When did I become so attached that a night without her changes my whole damn attitude?
Layken left yesterday afternoon and I did nothing but wallow the entire rest of the day. My workout sucked. I sulked through our team meeting and then came home to an empty apartment. She called me from her hotel once she got settled in so it was nice to hear her voice but once she hung up to go to sleep all I did the rest of the night was think about her. Then I whipped out my iPad and did some online shopping ordering a bunch of pink sparkly home decorations to put around this place so she might feel like it’s more her and not just me who lives here. I ordered throw pillows and wall paintings and even a few sparkly vases with fake flowers that never die.
I purchased a new duvet in a more neutral color so it doesn’t look too masculine in my bedroom. Hell, I’d paint this whole place pink if she asked me to. When I woke up this morning with my cock in my hands, I got myself off to visions of her on top of me and then cleaned myself up, packed my shit, which included several copies of her new book, and made my way to the arena so I could talk to someone about an idea that came to me last night. If I can pull this off, with any luck, it will make her want to stay in California rather than move across the country.
A man can hope.
“Marlee!” I shout down the hall when I spot just the person I was hoping to see. Marlee Remington is the team’s Events and Operations manager. Where we go, she usually goes. Or at least she’s the one telling us where to go and when. Ledger’s had a crush on her for years and for some stupid reason hasn’t done a damn thing about it. Pity, because the more I talk to her around the arena the more I think she would fit in well with our little family of players and wags.
“Oh, hey Griffin. What’s up?”
Jogging down the hall, I come to a stop and hand her a book from my duffel. “First of all, here’s a gift for you.”
Her face pulls into a genuine smile. “Oh, my gosh! Is this Layken’s newest book? I’ve heard all about it but haven’t gotten to grab myself a copy yet.”
“Well now you’ve got one. Enjoy. Maybe take a picture or two of you reading it.” I shrug. “You know, if you want to. I mean social media reach is huge for an author, you know?”
Her eyes widen. “That’s a great idea and I absolutely will! Hell, I’ll take a pic of myself reading it on the plane.”
“Perfect.” I raise my hand and she gives me a high five.
“Now what can I do for you? Or did you just need to give me this?”
“Actually, I have something to run by you. An idea. Do you have a second?”
“For you? Of course! Can we walk and talk?”
I nod. “Yeah. Actually, I’m on my way to the team meeting so that would be great.”
“Okay, tell me your idea.”
“So, you know how Harrison has the summer camp for kids? That’s been his thing for years and he’s fucking good at it.”
“He is.” She nods, listening.
“It’s like the one big thing we do for kids.”
She bobs her head. “I mean yeah, but we do have other drives and things throughout the year for kids though.”
“Yeah, but we could do so much more. Not just for anyone in the community. I mean I know we give to food banks and veterans and homeless shelters and all that stuff but what if we had someone in our organization to spearhead community relations for the next generation?”
“Okay, tell me more.”
“So, I know we have a senior manager who heads our community relations department, but do you think the front office would go for creating a position in the organization specifically for a youth outreach coordinator?”
“Hmm.” Her brows lift and she nods her head. “That’s not a bad idea at all, Griffin.” She winks. “Let me guess, you know just the person for this job?”
I give her a bashful smirk. “Fucking right I do.”
We’re nearly to the airport and I haven’t heard from Layken. I know I shouldn’t be panicking but those insecure parts of me have me checking my phone every five minutes to see if she’s texted yet. Shuffling in my seat on the team bus, I write out one last text to her before we get out and board the plane.
Me
Hope your interview is fire! You’re going to knock ’em dead, I know it. I LOVE YOU!
“Dude,” August chuckles next to me. “I think she gets it. You love her.”
I lean my head against the back of the seat, exasperated. “I know. I know. I just can’t help myself. It’s been…” I glance at the clock on my phone. “Five hours since we last talked. I know she’s interviewing and stuff. I just thought I’d hear from her by now.”
“You will, man. I’m sure she’s being wined and dined. This job she’s vying for is an important one. They’re going to want to know that she knows her shit. Could be any number of things.”
“She’s coming tomorrow, right?” Harrison asks me from across the aisle. “To Chicago?”
“Yeah.” I shrug my shoulder. “I mean she said she would.”
He furrows his brow. “And you really think for even a second that she won’t show up? The girl is crazy in love with you.”
“Ditto that,” Bear says chuckling. “She’s your fucking wife man. Calm your tits.”
“It’s not that, you guys. I know she’ll come back. She has to come back. Her shit is in my apartment.”
Ledger turns around in his seat in front of us. “Then what is it?”
I push my hand through my hair. “I’m just…I’m scared, okay? I’m scared.”
“Of?” Ledger curls his hand in a gesture that tells me to explain.
“I’m scared she’ll fall in love with fucking Miami and the idea of working for her old boss and she’ll want to try something long distance with me and then at some point we’ll both see that it isn’t working and she’ll leave me for real. Like a real fucking divorce. And then I’ll never see her again.”
Oliver turns around in his seat on the other side of the aisle too, his brows arching. “That was impressive.”
“Well, you asked.” I shrug again. “And I know I told her I would move anywhere with her, but also, my family is here. If I move, they’re going to want to move, and all Gage knows is here. In Anaheim. I mean I know he would adapt but asking him to do all that just for me? For Layken? It’s a lot, you know?”
The guys all nod.
“Not to mention I don’t want to fucking trade. I love it here. You guys are my family. You always have been.”
“Aww, we love you too, man.” Bodhi reaches in between my seat and August’s to pat my shoulder.
“But I’m crazy about Layken. She’s perfect for me. She’s…she’s my goddamn everything. So, what am I supposed to do? Right now, I’m nothing but a sitting duck until she decides what she wants.”
“Which will be by tonight, Griff,” August reminds me with a nudge. “We’re talking a mere possibly eight to ten-ish hours from now.”
I sigh. “I know. I’m just making myself crazy because I’m scared to hear how her day went and what she thinks about it all. I kind of wish she had never wanted to go.”
“Remember when I came to you panicking when Ella was on that date?” August reminds me.
“Yeah.”
“You and Ledge told me not to sweat it because I was the perfect one for Ella and that she just didn’t know it yet.”
Ella raises her hand a few seats in front of us. “And he was right. Thank you Griffin and Ledger!”
“You’re telling me Layken doesn’t know it yet that I’m the one for her?”
August bobs his head. “I think she knows it. Afraid to admit it maybe? Sure. But I have zero doubt she’ll come to the right conclusion. Give her a little time.”
Corrigan stands up a few seats in front of me with Ella and turns around. “Griffin, if it helps at all, she had the same worries about you when she got the initial text in the first place. Trust me. You’re going to be just fine whatever you both decide.”
“Thanks Corrigan.”
“And remember, butthole, I was her friend first. If anyone is going to lose something in this deal, it’s me losing a best friend.” She shrugs. “And I’m not worried so you shouldn’t be either.”
“You’re right.” I hold my hands up. “You’re right. Okay. I’ll try not to panic.”
Everyone nods and prepares to step off the bus to board the plane waiting for us. “But you all have your copies of Layken’s book right? Pictures! Post those pics to social media!”
“Got it!” August holds his copy in his hand.
Harrison pats his backpack. “Got it in my bag.”
“Already done, man.” Bodhi smirks. “I took a pic in the locker room this morning.”
“Perfect. Thanks.” I hike my duffel bag up onto my shoulder and step off the bus. Following in line, I’m behind August five stairs up when a voice shouts for me.
“Ollenberg!” I turn around slightly, one foot up on the next step when I see Coach Hicks jogging toward the plane with Marlee Remington at his side.
“Yeah, Coach?”
He motions for me to come down the steps, his expression void of emotion.
What the fuck?
What did I miss?
Did I leave my phone on the bus?
Does he not like the pajama pants I chose for today?
I’ve been wearing them since I walked into the arena.
He could’ve told me then.
The guys who hadn’t started up the stairs yet scoot over for me to get by as I step back down onto the tarmac.
“What’s up, Coach?”
His face ashen, he places a supportive hand on my shoulder and says, “It’s your brother, Griffin. There’s been an accident.”