Page 5 of Griffin

“My hands … ” She stammers, biting her lip.

Don’t look at her.

“Yeah, I knew what you meant.” I force a smile before tearing my eyes away from her full mouth and wide eyes roaming over my body.

Away from the nipples that are hardening beneath her shirt.

“I’ll go and shower.” I turn to walk away when she calls my name.

“Thanks for your help.”

I smile, wishing she wasn’t so fucking cute.

“No worries.”

3

GRIFFIN

Working outside in the summer has its perks, but in the blistering heat like today, it’s enough to make you want to quit. I’m surprised my clothes haven’t caught on fire. I’m about to drop a load of bricks across the yard when my phone rings, taking me by surprise.

I fish it out of my pocket, squinting at the screen.

Unknown number.

I answer, glancing around me to make sure no one is listening. You never know.

“Griffin? It’s Martha, Angelica’s Mom.”

Jesus.Martha is my daughter’s maternal grandmother.

“Hey, Martha —”

“I don’t know how to say this, but …”

I pause, my brow furrowing.

“What’s happened?”

My stomach clenches, and I exhale heavily.

Please let Melody be okay.But if she wasn’t, Angelica would be calling me, right?

“Is it Melody?”

The time it takes Martha to confirm my daughter’s well-being is enough to make my head spin. Angelica isn’t the best mother in the world, but she wouldn’t hurt Melody.

“Melody is fine. It’s Angelica.”

Her voice catches, and she sobs.

My stomach drops.

“What about her?”

“There was an accident, Griffin.”

Loud sniff. Deep breath.

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