19. Chapter 18
Chapter 18
Kaitlyn
It’s weird how slowly time moves when you don’t have a full-time job to go to, but also how fast it flies by. In a matter of thirty-six hours, he stomped into my office, pounded his chest, essentially forced my hand in resigning, we had epic angry sex, he planned a trip to London with a pit stop in Virginia… and I got a new job.
I met with Tobias and Griffin formally about the new position I would be taking, and once I was pleased with my job description and salary, I signed on the dotted line. Poof. Suddenly I’m the newest contracts attorney for Orion Worldwide Investments.
By the time Saturday morning rolls around, I’m waiting for Griffin at my front door with two small carry-on sized rolling suitcases and a crossbody bag slung over my chest. Marilyn is settled in her cat carrier with her favorite blanket, working hard on her daily biscuit order. I couldn’t leave her behind. She quite literally hates everyone except Griffin and me. That thought makes me smile and feel things I shouldn’t be feeling. Get it together, Logan.
As nervous as I am about going to London with Griffin, and meeting his parents to sell this whole arrangement, that’s all being suppressed by my excitement to see my dad. It’s been too long.
At 9:00 a.m. on the dot, Griffin rings the buzzer and I press the button to let him up, and a few short moments later, he’s standing in my doorway.
“Your chariot awaits.”
“A chariot? How fancy. Rolling out the red carpets for us?” I giggle and offer him the cat carrier. “What time is our flight?”
He takes it from me, holding it up to his face and peering at Marilyn inside. She meows something that sounds like “Stop staring at me. I’m in a bad mood.”
“Our flight is being chartered privately. We can show up anytime we’d like, but I told them about an hour from now.”
“Privately? Just how rich are you?”
He doesn’t answer with words, only a huge, shit-eating grin that I want to kiss right off his face. “Let’s go, ladies.”
“No really. How rich are you?”
“Kaitlyn, haven’t your investigative skills told you all you need to know?”
“I…um…”
He laughs. “Don’t worry. There’s nothing you can’t ask. To answer your question more directly, I’ll make enough money to support the next three generations of my family in the next five years.”
I don’t know what to say. I don’t even know how much money that is. “Would it be weird for me to say thank you for acting like one of us peasants?” I say jokingly.
Griffin laughs so loud in the elevator; it echoes off of every wall and he nearly drops my cat. “Adorable, but not weird.” Griffin leans in with a kiss for my forehead. “Just so you’re not caught off guard, I took your idea to heart and there is a reporter in the limo with us. She will likely have questions for you, just answer them as honestly as you can. I will back you at every turn.”
“Shit, Griffin.” I lean my head back against the wall. “I wish I had more than thirty seconds to prepare for this.”
“I know it’s not ideal, but I promise you… you’re ready for this. I trust you. You just need to trust yourself.”
I take a breath and try my best to mentally prepare the whole way to the limo. Griffin’s driver helps with our bags and soon, I’m greeted by a petite redhead with a cell phone in her hand, ready to record our conversation.
“Kaitlyn, this is Alyssa Hayes. She’s a reporter with the New York Times ,” Griffin says.
“It’s so lovely to meet you, Kaitlyn.” She extends her hand to me and I shake it in kind.
“You too.”
We get comfortable in the seat as Marilyn quiets next to Griffin. “Isn’t she cute?” Alyssa adds.
“She’s quite the little princess, but we don’t mind, do we?” Griffin weaves his fingers with mine before pulling the back of my hand to his lips.
“Marilyn has been with me for about three years. She’s quite taken with her dad.”
Dad? What the fuck did I just say?
“Dad?” Alyssa quizzes.
Griffin laughs. “It’s a trial run for children.” He winks.
“Wow. Already having those conversations? Anything you’d like to announce?” the reporter digs.
“No. Of course not. If there was, we’d talk to our families first,” I say sharply, without meaning to sound so curt.
“Of course, Kaitlyn. However, I hear you’re on your way to stay with your family. You can see how one could make that leap.”
“We are simply going to visit family. I don’t think there’s anything else you could read into that.” I glance at Griffin and decide to lean in and lay it on thick. “Unless this one here is planning something special that I’m not privy to.”
He smiles. “I plead the Fifth.”
Alyssa’s eyes go wide. “Well then, if you don’t mind, I’ll set this to record and we can get started formally with the interview.” She holds up her phone and presses the big red button once we both agree. “Let’s start with something easy. How long have you two known each other and how long have you been together?”
“It seems like forever, doesn’t it, darling?”
Here come the pet names. A little thick, Griffin.
However, I play along. “It does. In calendar days, it’s not as long as some might think, but when you know something works, time doesn’t matter.”
Alyssa smiles, but moves on. “So you’re an attorney. I hear you just left your existing firm. Is it true you’re now mixing business and pleasure and have become Orion’s newest member of council?”
“That is true. I’m lucky I can spend time learning about the Shaw family business and hope I can contribute in a meaningful way to help Griffin achieve his dreams.”
Print the shit out of that, Alyssa.
“The Shaw family, especially Griffin,” she nods in his direction, “is frequent fodder for the media in not so pleasing ways. How are you handling the online chatter about your relationship? According to the Reddit threads, Facebook groups, and Instagram feeds, you’re not a very liked individual.”
My heart sinks into my stomach. I try not to let her see my genuine response to this news because I haven’t been looking online… I didn’t know what was being said about me.
Thankfully, Griffin speaks up before I can. “The internet, and most tabloids, are cesspools. The things they say are nothing more than unhappy keyboard warriors with nothing better to do with their time, which is why we called you, Alyssa. We want a true, honest representation of our relationship to be front and center.”
“That’s very well said,” Alyssa replies. “I appreciate you putting your faith in me and our publication to do right by you both.”
The ride to the tarmac at JFK takes longer than I expect it to. I have a feeling it’s because I want out of this limo and finished with this interview as quickly as possible. This is the first time we’ve properly had to sell our relationship directly to someone asking one hundred questions. It’s overwhelming.
I need air…. and liquor.
The car rolls to a stop and Griffin gives my thigh a squeeze. I think he’s telling me I did a good job. Praise from him is something I didn’t know I’d enjoy, but I really, really do.
“Well,” Alyssa says as she stops her recording. “I hope you have a lovely trip and if any exciting relationship status changes come up, I hope to get the exclusive.”
She exits the limo first, climbing into an awaiting car of her own. I don’t have the energy to speak again until we’re on board Griffin’s private passenger jet. Basically, it’s a house that can fly in the sky. My eyes wander as far as I can see, and there is everything one could need for a short flight or one that would travel the world.
My body sinks into one of the ultra-wide seats with Marilyn on the floor at my side near the outer wall. She settles nearly immediately, but I can’t seem to. I’m never a nervous flier. I guess today is a change on many levels. Griffin and I are intentionally public with our connection. We’re meeting the parents, and most of all, I am now painfully aware of how much money is at stake. I should have known from the beginning. I tried to ignore it. Now it’s slapping me like a tortilla across the face.
“Hey.” Griffin tenderly touches the top of my hand as he stands at my side. “You look pale. Are you all right?”
I take a deep breath then let it go. “Shit just got real is all.”
“Are you all right with that?”
I look his way and there’s something about his face, his presence, that settles me, so I nod. “Yes, I’m all right with that.”
He bends to kiss the top of my head. “Good.”
I watch him as he takes a seat directly across from me, rather than next to me, so we are facing one another with a shiny, dark-oak table between us. He speaks briefly with the flight attendant and pilot, introducing me to both, before he buckles up and takes a deep breath.
“Now you’re the one looking pale,” I say.
“I don’t enjoy flying. Not even a little.”
“Uh oh,” I try to tease him to lighten the mood. “So no mile-high club for us then?”
He smiles for a moment then shakes his head. “I don’t hate it that much.”
“I’m sure you fly a lot for work. Why does it make you so nervous?”
His lips turn downward and he scrubs his hand over the scruff of a five o’clock shadow rolling in. “My brother, Joseph, died in a crash. I haven’t been comfortable with it since.”
I feel like an asshole. Here I am so worried about an article that will line cat boxes soon and he’s going through real trauma right now. “I’m so sorry. Of course.” I take hold of his hand tightly. “What can I do to help you?”
His thumb glides slowly in rhythm across the back of my knuckles. “You’re doing it for now. Once we hit cruising speed, I’ll take curling up with you and the kitten on the bed in the back. I promise we’ll just stay close. No other motives.”
“I don’t mind either way.” We stare into each other’s eyes silently for a few minutes. The only sounds are that of the plane and anytime the pilot comes over the intercom. Once we get the all clear to move about the cabin, I can see the tension visibly leave Griffin’s body. “Show me the way?”
He smiles a wicked grin and unbuckles before rising to his feet. Sometimes it’s easy to forget just how tall he is. He’s like a tree I really, really like climbing. He tells the attendant we’ll be retiring to the bedroom for a while then he takes my hand in one of his, and scoops up Marilyn with the other. “Shall we?”
“I thought you’d never ask.”
I’m not sure how long we’ve been sleeping when I finally open my eyes again after settling into his arms. He moved to his back at some point and I rolled over to snuggle into the crook of his arm, and Marilyn is curled up against his leg. That little bitch is trying to steal him from me. I just know it.
I freeze at the thought. Steal him? If something really isn’t yours, it can’t be stolen. I shake the realization away and gasp when a little turbulence rocks the jet.
“Holy fuck,” I whisper to myself.
Griffin’s arms wrap tighter around me. “Mountain range.”
My body relaxes a little with the subtle stroke of his touch. “I always forget. How was your nap?”
“I don’t usually nap, so this was unexpectedly nice.”
“How will we survive nine hours from my dad’s to London?”
“Well, we could nap again…or not.”
“Griffin, with all that time we could do both twice.”
“Should I take that as a challenge?” he smirks.
Being on the ground and within fifteen minutes from home has made me happier than I thought possible. I have the window down so I can soak in not only the sun, but the smells of the countryside. Everything is so lush and green. It beats the hell out of my tiny little hydroponic garden I have to settle for.
“I should probably warn you about my dad,” I tell Griffin as I slide my hands over the plush leather of the luxurious Range Rover he rented for our time here.
“He’s not going to threaten me or anything, right?”
“I can’t really guarantee that either way, but he loves to talk. He will tell you every story he can think of about me, and if you bring up something he has vague knowledge of, he will pick your brain.”
“Sounds like my kind of man. I have a feeling we will be fast friends.”
I scoff, “Not if he knew all the dirty things you did to his daughter the other day.”
“Careful,” he says as he turns off the highway and onto one of the many long, curvy backroads. “I’ll pull over and do them all again before we get there because I’m not going to touch you under your father’s roof.”
“What? I’m not sixteen anymore, Griffin.”
“It’s a respect thing, darling.”
I consider the fact that I’ve not brought anyone home since Martin. That was nearly five years ago. I wouldn’t have dreamed of staying with him in the same room under my father’s roof. So, now why does it bother me when Griffin says it?
“Kaitlyn? Why does your face read like I’ve just pulled Marilyn’s tail?”
“It’s nothing.”
“We’re lying to pretty much everyone else. Can we keep the lies out between us at least?”
“I guess that’s part of it. Griffin, it’s going to be really hard lying to him for now. I might need that time with someone at night where the veil can come off and I can’t do that alone. Fine, no sex,” I roll my eyes, “but at least stay with me in my room so we can talk before we go to bed.”
“If that’s what you want, that’s what we’ll do, but I do have to say, you look sexy when you pout.”
Griffin
I’ll be the first to admit, I’m not typically the type of man you bring home to meet the parents. In fact, I’d go as far as to say that I usually avoid anything this serious. It’s easier that way.
So why the hell am I actually nervous to meet Kaitlyn’s father when our relationship isn’t even real? It’s supposed to be a ruse, but you couldn’t convince my heart of that.
“If I turn GPS off, can you show me the way?” I ask her. “I want to be shown around from your perspective.”
That finally makes her smile. “Absolutely.” She reaches forward and presses the large X on the screen that takes up most of the dashboard. “We’ll stay on this road a bit longer before we make a left by a huge red barn.”
There are so many things that seem familiar about this drive. I’ve spent many an afternoon, or overnight, just driving through the English countryside. It has that feel to it, yet something better, more full of awe. Just as I’m about to ask how much longer until the red barn, it comes into view. Then it dawns on me. The countryside of England and Scotland are filled with stone. The countryside here is filled with old wood. That wood holds the stories of people who left England for their freedom. Maybe that’s how I need to look at my time here.
I’m free. We’re free.
People know I’m here, but they won’t stake out the farm. I won’t have to have an eye roaming for the lenses and what those lenses might see. This is just about me being me with a lovely lady and her family. Look at it as a gift, Griffin. You’ve not had this in forever, if ever.
“Okay, you’ll see a huge lake on your right. Once we pass that, you’ll take the next left and you’ll see a super-long driveway and my father’s house and barn in the distance.”
“You grew up here? It’s beautiful.”
“I think I took it for granted. When I was a teenager, I wanted out of here so badly. In fact, I want to say the words ‘backwood, redneck shithole’ came out of my mouth once or twice.” She scrunches her nose. “Not my finest hour.”
“We all said stupid things when we were young and hormonal. We were always right, remember? Our parents didn’t know a thing.”
I take the turn as directed and I immediately see the large white farmhouse up on the hill and a faded, blue barn settled off to the right. I’m thrust with images in my head of Kaitlyn riding her horse all over these grounds, with her blond hair flowing in the breeze and that million-dollar smile sparkling in the sunshine.
Shit, when did I become a romantic?
What I can only assume is her father’s truck is in a spot in front of the white picket fence alongside a dueling Range Rover, only in white. “Looks like Hilary is here too.”
“Remind me who Hilary is again?”
“She’s my father’s girlfriend. She’s an obstetrician at Roanoke General. She loves my father so much. Gilly and I really like her.” As I pull around the far side of the truck, I see an imposing figure, and a stunning petite blonde, both rising from a porch swing on the far side of the wraparound.
“How did I know he’d be out front?” Kaitlyn giggles, before she’s out of the car with Marilyn’s carrier in her hand. Her door is left wide open as she jogs up the path into her father’s waiting arms. For a fraction of a second, a pang of jealousy waves through my core as I watch them.
I allow them a moment of privacy before I climb from the car and wait patiently for her to finish her reunion with her father. I can’t hear what they are saying, but it doesn’t take long for his gaze to pass over her shoulder, landing straight on me.
Kaitlyn leaves Marilyn’s carrier on the porch, locking her arm through her father’s as they head down the steps toward me. She smiles and squints her eyes, letting me know I don’t need to be nervous.
“Dad, this is my boyfriend, Griffin Shaw,” she says, introducing us.
I extend my hand his way. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, sir.”
He takes my hand and shakes it firmly. It’s tough, strong, and I know immediately he doesn’t take any shit. “Griffin. I’m Samuel Logan. You can call me Mr. Logan.”
Kaitlyn nudges his side. “Daddy.” She giggles and rolls her eyes.
“I’m just kidding, son. You can call me Sam. I wouldn’t be a father if I didn’t embarrass Katie in front of her new beau.”
“Katie?” I look toward Kaitlyn with a raised eyebrow.
“Daddy. I stopped liking Katie when I was like twelve.”
“All right, how about Pixie then? I get one or the other. You can’t expect me to give up both.”
“Pixie? Well then. Should we vote? I know which I’d rather like to be the one that stays,” I add.
“Great. I didn’t realize the both of you would gang up on me so fast.”
“You didn’t? Oh, Kaitlyn. I saw this one coming before you even got on the flight. How are you, sweetheart?” Hilary leans in with a big hug for her.
“I’m good. Glad you’re here for many reasons. Hilary, Griffin. Griffin, this is Hilary.”
“It’s a pleasure to finally meet you both. I’ve heard a few stories and can’t wait to hear a few more.”
“You came to the right house, and the right family for that one.” Hilary smiles.