Chapter 20
CHAPTER TWENTY
APRICOT
My mind is a whirlwind, and I can’t stop worrying about what’s happening at the clubhouse. I knew Grimm wasn’t going to keep the letter to himself. He straight up told me last night over grilled cheese and ham sandwiches that he was informing the club.
I didn’t know how much time had passed while we were in the bedroom.
Time had all but ceased to exist during our sexual festivities.
I loved it, even the spanking. I never thought it could be so erotic.
I’d read about how good it could be, and I’m tempted to do something to have Grimm do it again.
But maybe not to the extent of him being infuriated.
While I fed Justice, he’d fixed us something to eat since we couldn’t order anything.
Afterward, he’d taken the second playpen box upstairs and set it up.
Justice sucked his bottle down, and I burped him.
I can’t get over how small he is and how sweet.
Looking at him, you can see the similarities between Grimm and Justice.
With the drastic age difference, you would easily think they were father and son instead of brothers.
I quickly changed Justice’s diaper and put him in a clean one-piece-footed sleeper. I grab a blanket, throw it over my shoulder, and carry Justice upstairs.
Now here I am in my shop and waiting to hear something, or at least, I hope I’ll hear from Grimm soon. I hate fretting about every little thing.
The bell over the front door dings, getting my attention. I twist on my stool to see who’s come in and smile at Nevaeh. “Hey, chick, what are you doing here?”
“I wanted to check on you. Peyton told me what happened at the clubhouse yesterday, so I figured I’d see for myself that you’re okay,” Nevaeh answered, closing the distance between us.
Nevaeh was one of the girls who’d been rescued when everything went down with Fawn, and the club helped her by not only giving her a place to live but a job at one of the restaurants.
“I’m good.” I hop off the stool and carry the flower arrangement I’d been fiddling with, putting it on the counter.
“Pretty,” she says, looking at the flower arrangement and then back to me. “That’s good you say that, but seriously, how are you?”
“Really, I’m good.” I nod, then sigh when she quirks a brow at me.
“Okay fine. It’s been a lot. Loads really.
I finally have Grimm as mine, and everything seems to want to go chaotic.
” I go on to tell her all that’s happened, pouring it all out.
Every detail about what happened with Tripp and Grimm, the part where he claimed me, even the sex. I don’t leave a single thing out.
“Holy shit, chickadee, talk about some serious shit you’ve had going on. And I’m taking it you haven’t talked to Fawn, Peyton, or Shyann about any of this?”
“I haven’t had time to. The times Fawn was in, it was with clients and, of course, at the clubhouse, I can’t since their men are always near them. There’s no way I’d talk about any of this where one of them could hear it.”
“I see your point.” She grimaces. “Well, how about we go to lunch? You and me, and we’ll go over everything, and I’ll also talk to you about maybe taking me on as an employee?”
I blink at her for a second, taken back by her asking for a job.
“You want to work here?” I point at the counter with my pointer finger. “At the flower shop?”
“Yeah, I need a change, and you could use some help.” She shrugs.
“I can’t pay much right now.” This is true, considering I just opened two days ago. But I could definitely use an extra set of hands.
“That’s okay. I have enough saved up to take a pay cut.”
“Then you’re hired.” I laugh, wanting to hug her.
“Awesome, now let’s go to lunch to celebrate.”
“You got it.” I step back from the counter and turn to grab my keys. I close the shop, flipping the sign to closed and lock the door, ready to spend some time with Nevaeh.
Nevaeh and I’ve been at lunch for well over an hour just laughing. I know I should return to the shop, but I’m having a great time. I check the time on my cell and see a text from Grimm.
“Grimm?” Nevaeh asks.
“Yeah.” I smile and look at the text.
Grimm: Where are you?
I quickly text him back.
Me: Cafe down the street having lunch with Nevaeh.
Grimm immediately texts back.
Grimm: Next time, text me if you’re leaving the shop. Don’t move until I get there.
I roll my eyes and drop my phone on the table, not worrying about responding.
“And what did your man have to say?” Nevaeh grins.
“That I’m not to move until he gets here.” I giggle and pick up another fry from my plate and pop it into my mouth. “He’s protective.”
“Oh, I can believe it. I’d seen him staring at you at the clubhouse when he and you were dancing around each other.”
“We weren’t dancing around each other.”
“Yeah, you were. You just didn’t know it.”
“Well, what about you and Maverick?” I ask, turning the conversation toward her.
She straightens in her seat and shakes her head. “Nothing to talk about.”
“Yeah, okay, if you say so.” I smirk.
I know she has a thing for Maverick, and the two of them are roommates along with Ryann. He’d moved in with them when Peyton started living with Ice.
Nevaeh opens her mouth to say something, only to shut it as she stares over my shoulder. I twist in my seat to see not only my man heading in our direction but Maverick. Oh, this should be good.
“I have to go,” Nevaeh says, moving to get up. Only it’s too late. The two men take seats next to us in the booth.
“Hey, roomie.” Maverick grins.
“What are you two doing here?” I ask, looking at Grimm. “And where’s Justice?”
“He’s at the clubhouse with your mom. Picking you up since you closed up shop already.” He leans in and presses a kiss to my lips, lingering there for a moment. “Don’t like you leaving there without telling me,” he says, brushing my lips once more and pulling away.
“I’ll let you know the next time,” I whisper softly.
“Good. You done here?” he asks, eyeing the table.
“Yeah.” I nod.
“Right, then, let’s go,” he says, pulling out two twenties from his wallet and placing the bills on the table. It was way more than what our food cost, but I didn’t say a word.
I look at Nevaeh and smile. “Come by the shop tomorrow and we’ll set your schedule.”
“What schedule?” Maverick asks, glancing between Nevaeh and me.
“Nevaeh is going to start working at the flower shop with me,” I announce, scooting out of my side of the booth as Grimm takes my hand, tugging me into his side.
“See you tomorrow,” Nevaeh says, shoving at Maverick to move. “Move, butthole.”
“Aww, baby, you know you love me. You’re just mad I used up all the hot water this morning.” Maverick smirks, wrapping an arm around Nevaeh’s shoulders.
“Whatever,” she grumbles.
I giggle and snuggle into Grimm, tilting my head back wanting to see his face. “Let’s go.”
Grimm guides me out of the cafe and straight to a large pickup truck.
“When did you get this?” I ask, surprised as he opens the passenger door.
“Bought it about an hour ago,” he says, lifting me and planting me in my seat. “Needed it for Justice and you to ride in when you’re with me.”
“I have a car.”
“Yeah, and it’s small as shit. I ain’t drivin’ it unless I have to. Prefer to get you a new damn car that’s not some wreckage waiting to happen.” Grimm closes my door before I have a chance to argue that point, but I have to admit he’s got a point. It is small.
Grimm hops in behind the wheel and starts the truck. “We’ll get your car later. Gotta get Justice and head to your place to grab some shit. Then we’re going to my place.”
“Your place?”
“Yeah.” He jerks his chin and puts the truck in reverse. “It’s more space and I haven’t been there in a while.”
I swallow nervously, thinking about how he’s going to take me to his place.
This is huge. Majorly huge and I don’t know what to do with it.
We’ve been going warp speed, and there are no brakes, not that I’d want any.
I guess it’s as if he’s giving me another piece of him.
At the thought, I smile and look out the window.
Maybe soon I’ll have all of Grimm since he holds all of me.