Page 142 of Stick It
“If I can salvage what we had, then fuck no.” He tilts his chin toward the ceiling. “What about Finn?”
“Pretty sure he’s just up there grappling with his come-to-Jesus moment. He’s been so busy denying his feelings for her, using excuse after excuse to build a wall between them.”
“And now that wall’s just been bulldozed.”
“Yup.”
“So, assuming she forgives us, are the four of us just going to…share her?” Jax sounds curious more than anything, his gaze staring off with a slight furrow between his brows like he’s trying to envision that future.
“I mean, we’re used to working as a team,” I say. I’ve been giving the situation a lot of thought this past twenty-four hours. “We’re stronger together. Yeah, I wasn’t sure how Griffin fit in, but after yesterday, I can see that Dylan needs him.”
“Are we planning on fucking up that often?” Jax retorts with a hint of a teasing smile. “We’re going to get real good at groveling if that’s the case.”
“Griffin proved himself yesterday. To be honest, he earned my respect when he unquestioningly stood by her. When he ushered her out of that locker room and took care of her.”
Jax nods his agreement. “He didn’t have to invite us to the Timberwolves game,” he adds, cringing as he rubs the back of his neck. “I don’t think I even would have thought of inviting you guys if I had the opportunity to get her all to myself for a night.”
I huff a chuckle, but I totally get it. It’s a rarity to have Dylan alone. I’m not sure I’d have been so eager to share her with anyone else either. That night, Griffin had the chance to take her out, just the two of them. He could have used that opportunity to keep her for himself, to put a wedge between her and us, and yet, he hadn’t. For a possessive asshole, he sure seems open to sharing the one person who has come to mean the most to all of us.
The sound of the front door being opened has me jumping to my feet, Jax straightening as our heads whip toward thesound. My breath lodges in my throat as I wait in hope for Dylan to appear. To see with my own eyes that she’s safe.
“Oh, it’s you.” Jax physically deflates as Griffin stomps into the room, looking like a man possessed. My own shoulders deflate in disappointment.
He doesn’t acknowledge Jax’s words, doesn’t so much as slow down as he storms toward us. “Tell me what the fuck you’re going to do to fix this, ’cause if I have to look at Dylan’s tearstained face one more time, I’m going to castrate each and every one of you, and I’ll fucking enjoy doing it.”
Jax looks like he’s been slapped. “She’s been crying?” He cringes, his hand coming up to rub at his chest.
“She never cries,” I muse aloud, voice quiet, devastated.
“Only when the people she thought she could trust throw her away like she’s dog shit,” Griffin snarls, sounding feral. Stopping in front of us, he crosses his arms over his chest. He’s wearing his standard all black gear, the muscles of his forearms straining against the seams of his leather jacket. “So tell me how the fuck you’re planning on fixing it.”
Jax and I share a look. One that makes Griffin growl in irritation.
“Do I need to go get a knife from the kitchen?” he snarls. His body is strung so tight that I’d well believe he’s a split second’s hesitation away from following through on that threat.
Undeterred, Jax rolls his eyes. “Don’t be so dramatic.”
It’s apparently the wrong thing to say. Any self-control he possessed is obliterated. Griffin’s eyes flash with menace as he takes a threatening step toward Jax, who abruptly stands, planting his feet and squaring his shoulders. Before I can intervene, Griffin’s lip curls back and he hisses, “Dramatic? I can guarantee, you’d be feeling downrightmurderoustoo if you’d spent the morning with the woman who is a mere fuckingshellof who she was yesterday. And if you didn’t,” he continues,looking Jax over with contempt, “then you never fucking deserved her.”
Well, holy shit. I think it’s safe to say Griffin Price is in love.
And it’s downright terrifying.
“So either you dipshits have a plan or I’m packing up her room and she’s moving in with me.”
“Dylan isn’t going anywhere.” We all turn as Finn appears at the bottom of the stairs, a trash bag thrown over his shoulder and another dangling from his hand. He drops them on the ground by the door, planting his hands on his hips. “Kyle is.”
And now I know what’s in the bags.
“Look who finally pulled his head out of his ass.” Griffin slow claps.
Ignoring him, Finn’s gaze slides to mine. “Dylan can’t live under the same roof as him. Not after the shit he pulled last night.”
Griffin snarls, but wisely keeps his mouth shut. I know what he’s thinking. She shouldn’t have had to endure living under the same roof as him after he attacked her. There’s no point in bringing that up now, though. Finn is finally seeing Kyle for who he is; is finally onboard with protecting Dylan. I’m not about to argue with that.
“I agree.” I look Jax’s way.
“So do I,” he says, face lined with resolve.
