Page 330 of Unexpected Ever After

I hurry down the stairs as Griggs checks in on the twins. I’m happy he did because I hope to run this person away before he can follow me to the front door.

Before I open it, I flip the foyer light on and straighten my clothes and hair. I grab the knob, yanking the door wide and stepping out onto the stoop before saying a word.

“What do you want?” I seethe at the sight standing in front of me.

He leans in, pushing my flyaway hair behind my ear. “To see you and the kids, baby. I miss y’all.”

“This isn’t the best time; the twins are in bed.” I grit my teeth, working hard to keep my voice down.

He presses me against the door, kissing me on the cheek. “More time for us.”

“Stop,” I force him away from me just as the door swings open, and I find myself in Griggs's arms again.

“Who the fuck is this?”

“Griggs Black,” Griggs steps between us. “how can we help you?”

Steve looks Griggs over, sizing him up. He knows he’s outmanned, so he goes low. “This is my damn house and my family.

“No, it isn’t.” I step around Griggs. “You need to leave.”

“You’re the one that invited me to visit.” Steve counters. Although he isn’t lying, it’s not the complete truth either.

I hold my hands up, trying to stay calm. “I did, but-”

“I see,” Griggs moves out of the way, working his way down the steps.

“Griggs, wait.” I glare at Steve. “You stay here and do not go inside my house.”

Griggs pauses long enough for me to rush over to him. “Please, I can explain.”

“I don’t think you need to; I understand better than you know.” Griggs leans in, kisses me sweetly, and then walks away.

Again.

Chapter 8

Griggs

FIVE MONTHS LATER

Around midnight, I roll back into Cherry Grove, hoping to evade prying eyes and gossip circles. When I left, it was on the worst possible terms, and I’m not proud of it because it makes the second time I’ve done it.

I couldn’t help myself; there was no way I could sit idly by while that mother fucker wormed his way back into Hunter, Mia, and Taylor’s life. I don’t care if he is their father; he was shit at it and being a husband.

I’ve learned my lesson this time and won’t be getting into the middle of Hunter’s life again. I’m leaving as soon as I meet with the realtor tomorrow and grab a few things I want to keep from my parents.

“Life’s too complicated as is without the drama of Steve coming into my world, I was an idiot for thinking Hunter and I could make another go of it,” I grumble as I pull up the house. “In and out, no looking back.”

Yes, I can admit that I’m licking my wounds from the last time I was here. I fell hard and fast for Hunter again, but I won’t be wasting my time on us this go around.

That’s until I catch a glimpse of her walking past her window. I grab my bag from my truck and sprint toward my front door. If anyone asks, I’ll tell them I was hurrying to the bathroom and not running away from a woman.

“Griggs?” Hunter’s voice trembles when she says my name, and my body responds to her similarly. Hunter will forever own me; there’s no running from that fact.

I take a deep breath, allowing it to burn before releasing it. “Yeah, it’s me.”

“I didn’t know you were coming home.” Her words are softer now, closer even. I lean back, looking over the hedges to find her standing at the edge of the lawn.

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