Page 61 of Griffin

“Bud … I think Shelby is fucking beautiful.”

I relax, easing back into my chair.

Thank fuck, that’s all it is.

“So? She is.”

Kevin glares at me, and I wonder what made him mad.

“She’s young enough to be my daughter.”

I swig on my beer, wondering what he’d say if he knew what I did to his daughter last night.

“Come on, it isn’t like you’ve done anything with her.” I try to pacify him, but he drops his gaze, his eyes closing.

Wait.

What the fuck?

“Kev?” I half-whisper, wondering how it’s possible he may be in the same situation as me.

No way.

“I nearly kissed her.”

Oh.

“Okay … ”

“I wanted to kiss her so fucking bad.”

I don’t know what to say.

“She’s twenty-one, man.”

“Kev—”

“It’s disgusting,” Kevin snaps, shaking his head. “I’m disgusting. Taking advantage of her when she’s here seeing my daughter.”

My insides ice over.

“I don’t think it’s like that; she’s liked you forever.”

My argument is shit.

“She’s a kid.”

I shake my head, refusing to listen to him.

“She’s twenty-one, barely a kid.”

Kevin snaps his head to me, his eyes wild.

“Why do you sound like you know how I feel?” He says slowly as the girls come downstairs.

“I don’t,” I say hurriedly, my heart breaking when Ivy stands in the doorway in a flowery dress and heels. She looks like a fucking angel. “But age shouldn’t stop you. If you feel something for Shelby … ”

“I’m going,” Ivy calls out, her eyes on her dad.

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