Total pages in book: 88
Estimated words: 84227 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 421(@200wpm)___ 337(@250wpm)___ 281(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 84227 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 421(@200wpm)___ 337(@250wpm)___ 281(@300wpm)
“I missed my brother too,” I told him.
We shared a beer and talked about life. I told him about my four years in the Marines in more detail than I’d done in our phone calls over the years. I’d ended up in San Diego, then went to the police academy. We’d only seen one another a handful of times since I left—Griff always coming out to see me, of course, but we talked on the phone regularly.
“What in the hell are you doing back here?” Griff asked with a laugh.
“Family.” I shrugged. We both knew I wasn’t talking about my father.
“Yeah, I get it. At least you got out for a while. I sure as shit never will, not that I mind. Havenwood is home. Plus, you know how my overprotective ass is. I couldn’t leave Kell, even though he wants to kill me for it most of the time.”
I took a long swallow of my beer and shifted uncomfortably on the barstool. “Yeah…yeah, I get it. But he is twenty-eight now.”
“And he still has a habit of getting himself into trouble. The latest was a catfishing situation. He didn’t send the guy money or anything, but he wasn’t who he said he was, and Kellan was devastated.”
My muscles tightened at that. I hated the thought of Kellan getting hurt as much as Griffin did. “Shit, man. I’m sorry.”
Griff waved it off. “Nah, don’t worry. He makes me crazy, but I’m proud as hell of him. He owns a little shop in town. Sells his art and teaches all levels of classes. He’s good, real good. Just don’t tell him I said that. He’s got this buddy too—Josh. He’s newish to town, owns the gym. He’s a good guy.”
“They dating?” I asked, curious, even though I shouldn’t be.
“No, not that I know of. He might be someone I’d actually approve of, though.” Griff chuckled. “I think Josh helps him feel more comfortable here. Like I said, Kell’s doing great, but he still doesn’t always fit in, ya know? A little too wild and different for a lot of the folks around here, and they don’t always refrain from showing it. The problem is, I like Josh, and that scares me because if he ever hurt Kellan, I’d have to hate him.” Griffin laughed.
There was nothing about what he said that surprised me. Griff had always made it his responsibility to run Kellan’s life. “Not sure it’s your decision to make.”
“Probably not, but that doesn’t mean I won’t try. Kellan doesn’t always make the best decisions.”
That made me frown. Sure, he’d always been a little quirky and impulsive—I mean, the kid had kissed and blown me—but it sounded like he was doing well, outside of the catfishing thing. I couldn’t imagine the Kellan I remembered doing anything too drastic, and I sure as shit knew he wouldn’t appreciate Griff still treating him like a kid.
“What about you?” I asked him. “Anyone in your life?”
“Nah, not really. Got my bar, got my family, go out on a few dates from time to time. Nothing serious. That’s all I need. What about you?”
My skin suddenly felt itchy and almost like it was too tight, which pissed me off. I’d made peace with who I was a long time ago. My bisexuality wasn’t something I hid anymore, and I’d made sure the station knew before I came back to town. Still, the thought of telling someone I cared about was scary as fuck, and considering there wasn’t really anyone I cared about more than Griff, I was sweating bullets. But again, I wouldn’t hide it either.
“Same, really. You know how I roll, not looking to get serious.” My parents had been too volatile, and the way mom had left…fuck, I wasn’t putting myself in the position to get left. Ever. Not that my father hadn’t deserved it, because he had. Just wished she hadn’t left me in the process. “There have been a few women…and men over the years. Get laid when I need to, but that’s all I want.”
Griff smiled, didn’t miss a beat, and I could tell he didn’t give a shit. Not that I was surprised. He’d never considered not accepting Kellan. Worry about him? Yeah. Care that he was gay? Fuck no.
“Bi, huh?”
“Yep.”
“Keep your dick away from Kellan. I’m pretty sure he used to have a crush on you,” he said on a laugh, then playfully shoved my arm. “I’m giving you shit, Chase. He’s like a kid brother to you. I know you’d never touch him.”
But I had touched him, hadn’t I? Then I’d left town and never spoken to him again.
“Get me another drink, will ya?” Dad said, his eyes drooping, his words slurred. My hands fisted. I hated him. I hated him so much—for drinking all the time, for being mean. For yelling at Mom and calling her names until she couldn’t take it anymore and left. Then taking it out on me, calling me all the names and making me watch him drink himself stupid every night.