Chapter 26
CHAPTER 26
WE LOOK OUT FOR OUR NEIGHBORS.
Griffin
I’m living in hell.
And next door to the only woman who has ever twisted my head in a way that’s driving me absolutely insane for the last week.
I know I should have stopped myself. But she was tempting me.
I’m not delusional. She’s absolutely breathtaking.
But now that I’ve had a taste, I want more, even though she made it clear on the awkward car ride home that it can’t happen again. It’s what she wanted to happen though, isn’t it? She was behind my bar when I came out from the kitchen, ready to leave. She had the whiskey in her hand.
The ride home told me otherwise.
She wasn’t herself in a way. Her constant need for questions and talking non-stop used to annoy the shit out of me because I didn’t want her talking to me, and then the one time I do want it, she shuts down on me.
Needless to say, my poor dick has never been so worn out. That night, and every night since, the only thing on my mind when I lay my head down at night is the way she looked lying across my bar top. The way she looked in nothing but those panties and cowgirl boots.
Fuck .
The thoughts consuming me are too much to handle.
I’ve tried to come up with a reason to walk over to her house and do something about it. I’ve stopped myself every single one of those times. Instead, I’ve just been working and spending more time at the ranch. I’ve moved my morning porch coffee inside to avoid seeing her leaving or returning from her morning runs. A few of the days, I even left early for work just so I didn’t have to see her watering her plants outside.
One fucking taste, and now I’m a ruined man.
Blair threw me off my schedule this morning when she went for a run later than usual. It’s disgusting that I’ve memorized her routine. It makes me want to pull my hair out.
While I was doing dishes in my kitchen sink shortly after watching her leave, I spotted something out of the corner of my eye, and it was Blair coming back from her run.
She seemed off.
She didn’t look the way she normally does when she gets back. She’s usually gone for much longer and always has more of a pep in her step. I’ve learned she’s one of those people who gets a high from running and comes back more energized than before she left. I’ll never understand it, because if I were to run down the block, I would need to take a nap at the street sign.
Today, she was slouched over, dragging her feet and a frown on her face. She didn’t even bother to sit on her deck and enjoy the new patio furniture she set up a few days ago. Telling me something wasn’t right, and I make a mental note to possibly check on her when I leave the bar today.
I say possibly because I don’t know what the hell I’m doing here.
The bell over the front door chimes, and I groan. I could have sworn I had Tucker disconnect that ridiculous thing before karaoke night .
“Hey, Griff,” Poppy greets me with a smile.
“Hey, Pop. What brings you in today?” I ask, turning to look at the clock on the wall. “Aren’t you in the middle of the school day?”
“I am, but I stopped by Batter Up to grab some treats for the kids this afternoon because we have a birthday in the class.”
She was made to be a first grade teacher. Every single one of her students is lucky to have her because she doesn’t just teach. She cares about them with everything inside of her. If one of them is sick, she stops by their house, brings them soup, and makes sure they are okay. She has the most caring heart I’ve ever known. I’ve always looked up to her, even with her being five years younger than me.
“That’s nice of you,” I tell her honestly. “I know I say this all the time, but they’re lucky to have you as their teacher.”
“I’ll never tire of you telling me that.” She laughs. “But I appreciate it. You know how much I love my job and these kids. Some days, I feel like all eighteen of them are mine.”
I nod. “So, what brings you in here? I know you didn’t come in for an afternoon cocktail.”
She shakes her head with a laugh. “I had a reason for this quick visit…” she starts, but pauses, looking down at her hands before clasping them together on top of the bar. “I was wondering if you heard anything about the new rumor in town?”
“Rumor?” I ask, feeling my heart rate pick up.
Is she about to ask me about Blair?
Did someone see us at the bar that night and word got out?
She looks back up at me. “I don’t know if it’s Nan trying to stir up the rumor mill, but she claims someone new is coming to town. Someone with a big name. And I saw her walking the property next door to me. I’m not sure I want whoever it is on my street.”
I roll my eyes. “You know her, it’s probably nobody.”
She laughs, but it comes out more nervous. “You’re probably right. Oh, by the way, did you see Blair at the house when you left?” she questions.
My nerves shift instantly the second I hear her say Blair’s name.
Why is she bringing her up?
“Yeah? Why?” I abruptly spit out.
Why do I sound all nervous and guilty about something?
Oh, maybe because my head was between her legs a week ago on this very bar.
Poppy’s face wrinkles in confusion. “Is she okay?”
I shrug. “How would I know? I don’t stalk her or watch her,” I lie.
Maybe I have been.
She’s turning me into an addict. She’s a drug I want more of but shouldn’t have—can’t have.
“Okay, Mr. Defensive.” She smiles widely. “Is there something you need to tell me? If there is, you know your secret is safe with me. I know Lily can be a little overbearing about things.”
I should tell her.
I need to tell someone to get this off my chest.
And between my sisters, I trust Poppy the most.
I open my mouth to confess, but the bell over the door chimes again, and I turn to see Nan walking in.
“Anyone know where I can hide a dead body?” she shouts, making her way in our direction.
Tucker walks in right behind her.
“Who did you murder?” I ask flatly, rolling my eyes.
“It’s ’bout to be this one,” she states, hiking a thumb over her shoulder where Tucker stands.
“I didn’t do shit,” Tucker defends.
Nan cranes her neck and glares at Tucker.
“Is that Nan’s angry face?” Poppy whispers to me, keeping her eyes on the two of them.
“I think so,” I whisper back .
“You bought the last three bags of the seasoned pretzel twists,” she snaps at him.
He holds his arms out wide. “You know they’re my favorite.”
“Mine too! You only left me with those honey mustard ones. I can’t eat those. They leave my fingers all messy,” Nan explains.
Tucker rolls his eyes. “God forbid. That’s what napkins are for.”
Nan grits her teeth, rearing her arm back as if she’s actually going to punch him.
“Hold on,” Poppy interrupts, stepping between them before she actually throws a fist in his face. I wouldn’t put it past her. “This argument is over pretzels?”
“Yes,” Nan and Tucker shout in unison.
Poppy turns to face Tucker. “You bought three bags, right?” He nods. “Why don’t you give her just one? And when more come in, we can get you some bags for your stash.”
“Why must you be so reasonable?” Tucker whines, stomping a foot on the ground like a petulant child.
I lift my hands to rub my temples. “I can’t believe this is happening right now. Is anyone here for lunch, or are we just here to bullshit?”
Poppy looks down at her watch. “Actually, I have to get back to the school.” She grabs her purse to leave, but she stops before she reaches the door and turns around. “Can you just check on Blair for us when you leave here, Griff?”
Tucker’s gaze bounces between Poppy and me. “What’s wrong with my girl?”
“Your girl?” I question.
“She’s sick,” Nan answers, saving Tucker’s ass from getting beat by me this time.
“She is?” I ask Nan.
I think about how I saw her this morning. Something definitely wasn’t right with her, and this might explain it. I didn’t even consider that she might have been sick. I guess I just assumed she ran a little too hard .
Nan takes a seat on a stool. “Yeah, she called out for the day at the bakery. She’s got the flu, or the stomach bug, or the plague. Hell if I know, but Lily said she didn’t sound good.”
I turn to look at the clock on the wall.
Another two hours before I’m out of here.
I’m fighting the urge to run out of here to make sure she’s okay. I don’t understand why, because she’s not mine to worry about.
“That’s a shame,” I finally say.
A knowing grin spreads across Nan’s face, but she says nothing.
Tucker notices and looks back at me. “Anything you want to tell us?” he asks, only adding fuel to the fire. But before I can respond, his eyes widen. “Wait a second. Are you finally getting some action with City Chick?”
“Stop calling her that,” I snap. I pick up the dishrag and start wiping down the already clean bar top to keep busy.
Nan snaps her fingers before pointing toward me. “He’s not denying it!”
I drop the rag on the counter, place both palms down in front of me, and stare at Nan. “Nothing is happening between us,” I say, before turning my gaze on Tucker. “And nothing will,” I lie again.
“Why did your voice just sound all squeaky with those last words.” Nan laughs.
“I’m fine,” I say as I grab the discarded dishrag to wipe the counter again.
“Something’s totally happening,” Tucker barks out a laugh. “That came out squeaky too.”
“Nothing is. Now, both of you drop it. I’m not having this discussion again,” I snap. I look at the clock again, and then at Tucker. “Aren’t you supposed to be at work anyway?”
He looks down at his watch. “Shit. Yeah.”
I shake my head. “Let me guess, a fifteen-minute break?”
“Yep.” He turns on his heel to make his way out the door. “ Going on thirty-five minutes,” he shouts over his shoulder and is out the door.
Leaving me alone with Nan.
The one person in the world who never lets anything go.
I finally face her, and she just sits there with her hands crossed on the bar, staring at me. In all the years I’ve known her, I know she can read someone like a book.
“You care about her.” She breaks the silence.
“She’s my neighbor,” I scoff.
“And?”
“ And… we look out for our neighbors.”
She tilts her head to the side, staring at me like I’m full of shit. “But you care about her more than that.”
This time, I have nothing to say.
Because I think I do—No, I know I do.
Nan reaches across the bar, resting her small hands on top of mine.
“I won’t say anything, Griffin. I may be the town gossip, but this is different.”
“How so?”
“I can’t explain it, but it’s different. And listen,” she says, sitting up taller in her chair with her hands up in defense. “You don’t have to tell me or admit anything. I’ll drop it right here if you want me to. But I just need you to know that it’s okay if you care about her.”
I remain silent, only offering her a curt nod.
Part of me wants to drop this conversation quicker than a bad habit, but I know she’s about to keep going.
“I might be a smart ass one hundred percent of the time,” she continues. “But I mean it when I tell you it’s okay to have these feelings. It’s scary and probably feels new. You’re unsure because of your past. And you know”— she points a sharp finger my way—“I can tell when people are bad. I call it out immediately with no regrets and no bullshit. I don’t get those vibes from Blair. ”
Hearing her name only makes this conversation feel more real.
“I believe she’s fuckin’ good, Griff,” Nan emphasizes. “I knew the moment I laid eyes on her and got to talkin’ to her that she would be good for you .”
“So, this was all a setup?” I ask, slightly offended.
She shakes her head quickly. “No. Absolutely not. I promise you that. But I knew when you were ready to give someone a chance again, to get over your past and finally move on, that she might be a good fit for you.”
I stand there shocked, unable to speak.
Nan stares at me for a moment longer before standing up from the stool. She pats her hand on the counter.
“I’m gonna head out. Think about what I said,” she says before turning to leave. “Oh, and call your mother,” she shouts as she walks away with a pointer finger swirling in the air. “She wants you over for dinner sometime this century.” She laughs, pushes the doors open, and walks out.
Leaving me alone in my bar.
No customers. Just me and these thoughts consuming me.
I can’t shake the thought that Nan is right that this might be the time to give someone a chance again.