Page 60 of Griffin

Ivy rolls her eyes.

“Finlay.”

Shelby grins, and I turn back to the grill, turning the meat.

Ihaveto forget this shit with Ivy. Let her go out with boys her own age.

I can’t do anything with her, so why cause her drama?

It’s selfish; that’s what it is.

So, with that in mind, I close my eyes and take a deep breath.

If Finlay hurts Ivy, Kevin will kill him, and I’ll be there every step of the way.

I’m jealous of Finlay because he can do what I can’t. Take her on dates. Fuck her. Kiss her in front of the whole town.

“Where are you going?” Shelby asks excitedly, and I tune them out.

“Griffin?” Ivy calls my name, and I turn, refusing to rise to whatever she’s about to say. “Do you need me to look after Melody when you go out with Christina?”

There it is, the challenge. Ivy glares at me from behind her smile, and I realize this is how it has to be.

“If you don’t mind,” I say with a shrug.

Ivy’s hands ball into fists by her side, and I allow myself a small smile.

“Saturday night, alright?” I ask, enjoying the deathly silence that follows.

“Sure.” Ivy grits out. “No problem.”

Shelby looks confused, but I pretend not to notice. Soon enough, the meat is ready, and we all sit together, devouring our meal. The beers flow, and I relax as the sun sets. I miss Melody, but it’s nice to relax without wondering if she’s okay.

Ivy disappears to get dressed for herdate, and Shelby goes with her.

Kevin eyes me for a minute, then leans forward.

“I need to tell you something.”

I wait, swigging my beer as my gaze falls to Ivy’s bedroom window. Soft music and girly laughter seep into the yard, and I feel older than ever.

“Hmm?”

Kevin groans, dragging his fingers down his cheeks.

“I think I’m a pervert.”

I almost choke on my beer.

Kevin looks terrified.

“What?” I cough, a result of the beer making its way down the wrong hole.

Kevin glances back at the house, dropping his head into his hands.

A pervert? What the fuck has he done?

All kinds of thoughts fill my mind.

---