32. Chapter 32
Chapter thirty-two
G riffin and Wyatt both advanced from the sweet sixteen, to the top eight, and then the final four without having to compete against each other. When they were paired up for the last two rounds, our whole team was a little on edge. It was inevitable that this would happen eventually, but for some reason this scenario had not come into play during the California Circuit. I guess with both of our drivers doing so well and advancing into the top ranks at each race, it would eventually become the norm.
Of course, Charlie Sweeten and Mason Bauer had to be the drivers that rounded out the rest of the final four. Thankfully, they raced before Griffin and Wyatt, and Mason came out on top. It gives me endless amounts of satisfaction that Charlie won’t be going against either of our guys. Mason, however, is a phenomenal driver and a good dude from what I can tell. Griffin having competed against him previously makes me a little more comfortable, so I’m definitely playing favorites for the S it was a freak accident, but everyone’s stories will vary on who is to blame and what exactly happened. I would not want to be in their position right now.
“That should hold you for now. It’s not as deep as I thought, so unless you want to go to the ER, I don’t think you need to,” Griffin says, smoothing the edges of a large bandage on the front of my shin. His hand wanders up to cup the back of my knee, his thumb tracing a light path along my thigh. He can’t stop touching me. It sends warm shivers through my whole body, momentarily replacing the pain.
“Where should we go out to now? Anyone feel like dancing?” I ask, looking around me at the team .
Paul glances up from his phone, probably texting Marny, and studies me for a second before shaking his head no. I look at Ryan and Cole, who are leaning against the truck nearby. They both shrug their shoulders without committing either way. I look for Wyatt, but don’t see him around. Movement catches my eye behind the trailer, so I lean forward and see him talking to a very familiar, very scary bald man. Mike Alves is here. Shit. I never figured out what to do about his debt. I grit my teeth and get ready to march over there to make sure he’s not threatening Wyatt again. Griffin places his hands on the tops of my thighs to hold me in place as he catches me staring.
“We should get you back to the hotel to rest. No dancing for you tonight with that cut.” There is a finality to his statement that refuses argument. His eyes tell me he knows exactly why I wanted to get up just now and warn me to stay put.
I widen my eyes at him as my mouth clamps shut. I hope he’s good at reading the unspoken “What the fuck?” I’m sending him. He knows better than to tell me what to do, and I kind of need to make sure things are settled with Wyatt after neglecting this issue.
The stare-down Griffin and I are in is broken by Ezra as he rumbles up in the Black Sheep. That seems to snap everyone out of their hovering, the team bursting into action to get it on the trailer and packed up for the night. Griffin helps me to the cab of the truck and gets me settled inside. I wave off his help several times, but he refuses to let me walk without aid.
“I need to check on Wyatt. I saw him talking to a bad dude. I’m afraid he’s in trouble again, or there’s more he didn’t tell us about last week. ”
“Everything was settled last week. There’s no need for you to go anywhere near that guy. He’s dangerous. I’ll talk to Wyatt and see what’s up.”
I look at Griffin, wondering how he could know it was settled. We never talked about it when he came to my room in San Jose and then shit hit the fan the next morning, so there was no way to have that conversation. Realization dawns on me. “What did you do?”
“I took care of it. End of story.” Griffin runs his hands through his hair in agitation, unable to meet my eyes.
Shock has my mouth falling open. “Y-you paid his debt?” I whisper. “Twenty grand?”
“You said you needed me. You said Wyatt was in trouble. I figured shit out so there wouldn’t be any more trouble.”
“But, how...why? I didn’t expect you to pay it yourself. I guess I just needed help figuring out what to do.” I feel so lame. I asked him to help, so he’s out that small fortune because of me. I drop my head into my hands.
“Why does it matter how? It’s done and over with now. If Wyatt is getting himself into more trouble, that’s on him. You don’t have to worry about it. I’ll go check on him. You stay here.” He raises my chin with his finger and nods at me when we make eye contact.
Watching Griffin slip away, I am reminded about the side of him he rarely shows. He’s not just a cocky asshole, he’s sensitive. He’s not just an unfiltered idiot, he’s caring. He isn’t just standoffish, he’s a provider. He doesn’t just have my body; he has my whole heart.