Page 26 of Shadows of Timber Creek

“They do know I’m deaf, right?” I ask. “I mean, obviously I can hear with my hearing aids, but it’s who I am, Blaine.”

“Don’t get upset.” He pulls me in for a hug. “Yes, they know. I told them today.”

“Today?” I croak.

“Yes. It wasn’t a huge concern for me, but I did let them know in case they had questions.”

I lean back, stepping away from his hold. “Why do I feel like you’re ashamed?”

“I’m not.” His brows crease. “And I don’t want to discuss this any further. We are having a nice family dinner. You’re dressed appropriately now. Let's go inside, keep your hands to yourself, and let’s make a good impression.”

He spins on his loafers and my jaw drops. Not because I have never seen this side of him before, but because Greyson stood just a few feet away.

And he was seething.

Chapter 19

Greyson

This motherfucker.

I was shaking so much with rage that Jace’s face pales when I step into the restaurant.

“You alright man?” He lays a hand on my shoulder.

Jace was dating Tilly’s sister Camille, and he worked with Easton and Adam at the station.

“I need a drink,” I grit out.

I was three seconds away from wiping Blaine’s face across the pavement. I would never do it in front of Tilly though. I would never want to scare her.

Imperfection.

The word alone has me clenching my fists. The fact he wouldn’t even defend her to his own mother shows me exactly what kind of a man he his.

The bartender sets a glass down in front of me. I don’t even ask what it is, I just gulp it down. The back of my hand swipes across my mouth and I feel a strong hand on my back.

“Long time no see, son.” Richard chuckles.

“Cap.” I smile and give him a hug, clapping him on the shoulder.

Richard Harper was the dad I never had. My father had the right intentions, he just lost sight. He tried to live through me, instead of allowing me to live my own life. Although we shared the love of the game, at one point, it became something I dreaded, instead of something I enjoyed. When that didn’t fulfill him anymore, he knocked up his twenty year old mistress. Asshole.

“I heard about what happened with your dad.” He shakes his head. “You need anything let me know.”

I know he means the altercation. Who hasn’t heard by now?

“I appreciate it.” I nod.

He blends in with the crowd, and I turn, my eyes helplessly tracking Tilly as she glides across the room. Her dress shows off her curves, but it was nothing like what she would normally wear. Her hair was curled and pinned to one side at her temple. She was gorgeous, but something about the way she carried herself told me she hated it. She was a jeans and t-shirt kind of girl and I had yet to see another female take my breath away in just an oversized sweatshirt and a ball cap.

Blaine guides her to the table at the back that’s reserved for all of us. I’m sure she thinks I’m just at the bar for a drink. She’s about to be in for a pleasant surprise.

“He’s a piece of work, isn’t he?” I hear from beside me.

I glance down at Bekka who wraps an arm around my waist for a quick hug. “As far as Tilly is concerned, I’m supposed to hate you,” she whispers. “But I know our girl is making a mistake.”

Our girl.

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