19. Griffin
GRIFFIN
T he wide living room windows are open to the night sky, providing the perfect backdrop for our movie. The lights in the living room are dim; only a side lamp and a single kitchen light remain on.
I click on the TV above my mantel, illuminating the room with a blue glow. “What kind of movie are you up for? Action? Chick-flick? Horror?”
Tonight, Ashton has given me more encouragement in my career than I’ve gotten from my father in years.
She put a whole new spin on having side roles and making them stand out as key characters.
I kind of hate myself for striving so long to prove to my father that I’m not a B-list actor.
When really, he should have supported me all along, no matter what role I play.
Ashton clutches her water bottle in her hand and stares at the TV as I click through the apps. “Definitely not horror. I’ll have nightmares all night.”
I laugh. “Okay, got it. No horror. Here, how about you take the remote.” I stand and pass the remote to her. She clasps it in her hand, our fingertips grazing.
She shivers.
“Cold? Need a blanket?” Some extra body heat?
Easy, Griffin.
“A blanket would be great, thanks.”
I grab her one from a nearby basket and lay it atop her.
She wriggles into the couch cushions, smiling wide.
I want Ashton to feel comfortable in my home because I like her here. Not just tonight, but for longer than that. Now that I know more about her background, I understand why she’s been so hesitant to be around me. I want her to trust me.
“Wow. You have a ton of options here.” She navigates through the various apps.
“Do I? Can’t say I’ve gotten to use many.”
She looks at me. “Why?”
“I’m hardly home. This free time is rare for me.”
“I’m sorry. I can relate to that kind of demanding schedule.”
“Did you film often for Being the Blakes ?”
“Every day.”
“Ouch. That would be rough. Even when filming Malibu Shores , we get scheduled days off. Don’t get me wrong, I’m grateful. It’s just part of the gig.” Hopefully, I’ll continue to stay in the business. If things fall through with Wesley, there are no other options on the table.
Ashton angles her body more in my direction, the remote forgotten in her lap. “Would you still pursue the same career if you knew life would turn out this way?”
I rub the scruff on my cheek. “I don’t know. Acting is the only career I’ve known and the only connection I have to my dad. If it weren’t for my career, I’m not sure we’d have much of a relationship.”
“That can’t be true.”
“Sadly, I think it is. I do love acting though. There’s just a lot of extras that comes with it that I don’t particularly care for.”
“Like what?”
“Well, for one, your life is subjected to public scrutiny no matter how personal it is.”
She makes a face. “Trust me, I know that part all too well.”
“Is that why you left your family and the show?”
“Partially. And partially because of my toxic relationship with my mom. Her manipulation and control over my life wasn’t healthy. It took a couple of years of therapy to untangle that web.”
“I’m sorry to hear that.” Though her comment makes me question the health of my own relationship with my father.
“You do know you can keep your personal life more personal, right? You don’t have to put everything on social media. You even told me this, remember?” She arches an eyebrow and crosses her arms.
I raise my hands. “Fair point, but for my line of work, the public perception carries more sway than you’d think. They need to see me as a real person they can connect with and all that. Not just posts about my career.”
She sits up straighter. “I get that, but it doesn’t give people the right to dictate how you live. You’re allowed to have privacy.”
A part of me wants to argue, but given the fact that I barely have control over my personal life anymore, she has a point. I’m trapped in a fake relationship for crying out loud.
“You’re right. It’s something I need to work on. You share more, and I’ll share less.”
“Deal.”
I nod toward the TV screen. “Try that app. I think you’ll find plenty of options on it.”
Her gaze lingers on me for a few seconds longer, enough to make my skin prickle from her scrutiny. She opens her mouth as if to say something but changes her mind and turns back toward the TV.
The need to tell her about the fake dating contract presses against my throat, the secret needing to be let out. I never would have agreed to it if I’d known she was a possibility on the horizon. I’d just been solely focused on my career.
Is it too soon to mention it? Can I trust her with this secret? The key to the success or failure of my future career? Each person who finds out only heightens the risk of a leak, and my months of sacrifice to work with Wesley will come crumbling to pieces.
What if she doesn’t even feel that way about me?
Even if her feelings don’t match my own, our relationship will continue to teeter in a state of awkwardness until I come clean about everything.
“Oh, I love this one!”
Her excitement jolts me from my morose musings.
“Have you seen it?”
The screen displays Drew Barrymore in a…fairy costume. The title reads Ever After . “I’ve heard of it. Can’t say I’ve watched it.”
“Are you kidding me? This is a classic! A Cinderella retelling.”
“Of course. Silly me. Can there even be a more perfect option?”
Her gaze shoots to mine, eyes narrowing. “I hear your snark, young man, and it’s not appreciated.”
I laugh. “Sorry. I guess you’ve seen this?”
“Only a hundred times.”
“Wasn’t this made before you were born?”
“Barely, but that fact is inconsequential. This movie is timeless. Every woman needs to see this film in her lifetime.”
I raise my eyebrows. “Wow, high praise. I guess I have to watch it now for career research?—”
Before I finish my sentence, she’s already pressed play.
“Come on, Teddy.” She pats her blanketed lap. He hops up and settles half on her stomach and half on her side. She turns to me and winces. “I’m sorry. Is this okay? I kind of forgot where I was for a second.”
“Of course, I want you to make yourself at home.”
Even in the dim lighting, I can see her cheeks are pinker. “Thank you.” She faces the TV screen, where instrumental music plays and a woman begins narrating.
I study Ashton’s expression from my peripheral.
A soft smile plays on her lips, her eyes slightly crinkle in the corners as she absentmindedly pets Teddy.
His eyes slowly droop closed. I have a feeling I’m witnessing a common occurrence between the two of them.
The thought gives me a sense of happiness.
After her chaotic and stressful day, she’s allowed herself some measure of peace.
The idea that I have had a small part in that gives me more pride than any accolade could.
It feels good to take care of someone else for a change.
Especially someone as deserving as Ashton—always caring for others. Her words from earlier filter back to me. The public’s perception of me shouldn’t matter so long as the people closest enjoy me for me . I only wish Dad saw it that way.
She’s right about Mom, too. I never call her. Relationships are a two-way street. If I want to have a connection to her, I have to put in the effort. It’s not fair for her to reach out to me all the time.
As the movie progresses, Ashton sinks further into the couch, her head coming to lie completely on the armrest. Her eyes blink more and more slowly.
“Do you think you’re like the prince?” Her voice is so soft, the question so slow, I’m not sure she’s even fully aware she’s asked it out loud.
“What do you mean?”
She yawns. “He feels restricted by his obligations to the kingdom. His parents dictate his life. Kind of like you with your career? And how your dad treats you?”
I’m a little confused, but I reply softly, “Uh huh,” prompting her forward.
“You need a friend. Like DaVinci. Someone to tell you it’s okay to let go of all those obligations and expectations.”
My lips quirk to the side, thinking she’s being facetious.
“Life can be so lonely without someone.” Her eyes drift closed.
Her offhand statement pierces something inside me.
Is she right? Am I allowing Dad to dictate my life too much? I’ve always followed what he says for the sake of my career. Has his control gone too far into my personal life? It’d be nice if my father actually acted like a dad, and my career was just a job that didn’t define me.
I look over to the playpen of pups asleep on top of one another and then to Roxy resting peacefully in her bed. She’s got some internal wounds that won’t heal overnight, but in time, with continuous love and affection, she’ll learn to trust me completely.
I turn my gaze to Ashton. Just maybe, we too can help heal a part of each other we didn’t realize was broken.
The credits begin to roll across the screen, darkening the room even further. Ashton’s breathing has slowed, telling me she’s fallen asleep. I hate to disturb her, but I can’t leave her on the couch. She’ll have one heck of a crick in her neck tomorrow.
I stand, and Teddy’s head lifts from Ashton’s stomach. “It’s okay, boy. I’m going to put her to bed. You can come too.”
At the word “ come ,” his ears perk and he hops off the couch. His sudden movement makes Ashton moan and shift slightly.
I lean toward her and whisper, “I’m gonna move you to the guest room so you’ll be more comfortable, okay?”
She mumbles something like, “Mm-hmm.”
I take that as a yes and scoop my hands underneath her knees and behind her back.
Her petite, lithe form is like nothing in my arms. Her head plops to the side, landing with a thump on my chest. I tilt my chin downward to encase her head and prevent it from jostling.
Her floral scent invades my nostrils. I indulge myself by inhaling deeper.
As I begin walking, she moans and wraps an arm around my neck, her other hand resting on my chest. The intimate contact has my heart thumping, its beat thundering in my ears.
Thankfully, the door to the guest room stands open.
I slip in sideways through the doorway. The front flowerbed spotlights shine through the window, providing enough light to navigate the darkness.
I gently place her onto the bed. She immediately curls into a tight ball on her side.
Teddy hops onto the bed and lays right next to her.
Her arm instinctually reaches around him.
The two make quite a pair. Though, she looks so fragile in this moment.
I’m curious how her relationship with her mom became dire enough that she ran away. I’ll be patient, though. She’ll tell me when she’s ready. But I do wonder, if she isn’t close to any of her family, who does she have to rely on?
Well, she now has me for however long she wants. In whatever capacity she needs. I’ll make sure she’s taken care of and valued for who she is.
Ashton’s curled form tightens around Teddy.
Idiot. She’s probably cold. I stupidly laid her on top of the comforter.
I slip off the blanket at the foot of the bed and pull it over her, tucking it under her chin. She burrows her nose underneath it.
While I enjoy admiring her, I don’t want to be standing here like a creeper, so I tiptoe back toward the door. As I’m about to exit, she murmurs something in her sleep. Unsure if she’s dreaming or talking to me, I halt, listening for more.
She mumbles again.
I straighten sure I heard her wrong, thinking she must be dreaming.
But she slurs the word again, “Stay.” And adds, “Here. With me.”
I stand frozen, debating. This has terrible idea written all over it, but she’s half asleep. How can I deny such an innocent request? I’ll stay just for a few minutes until I’m sure she’s fallen asleep, then I’ll slip out, back into my bed. It’ll appease her request and my conscience.
I ease onto the bed, trying not to disturb her too much, but my weight shifts the mattress.
She stirs but remains asleep. I lie on my back, staring at the ceiling, concentrating on how the light plays on its surface.
I don’t dare move a muscle, despite every instinct in my body craving to cuddle next to her—to curl around her, to embrace her, to protect her, to take away all the negativity she’s experienced in life and give her something good.
Something honest. Except for one problem…
I’m not good. Or honest. At least, not completely.
Because I have Scarlet.