Page 50 of Stealing Home

“This looks like a serious conversation for breakfast,” Griffin says.

“Shit, make some noise when you walk.” I exhale, I’m a bit more on edge than I realized. “Griffin Hale, This is my teammate Taylor Jenkins,” I introduce them.

“Demoted to just your teammate, huh?” Taylor complains.

Wren strolls over carrying a tray with our food. I jump up to take it from her. “You shouldn’t be carrying heavy things,” I chide.

“I keep fucking telling her that myself,” Griff grumbles.

Wren rolls her eyes. “Breakfast sandwiches and coffee aren’t that heavy.”

“The only thing you need to worry about carrying is my baby. Quit over doing it,” he demands.

“Yes, daddy,” she taunts him and rolls her eyes in my direction.

I hold up my hands. “Nope, don’t look to me for sympathy. I’ll be the same way. You’re already doing enough hard work.”

Griffin jabs his finger her direction. “See, I’m right and you know it. Now, go sit your ass down before I spank it.”

“Promises, promises,” she teases, but slides into the booth next to me.

Griff grunts his approval that she listens. Then he grabs a chair, flips it around and straddles it. The barista runs him over a cup of coffee. He turns his focus back to us. “Is everything okay?”

I know he’s asking if Coach is giving us trouble. “We had a difficult practice this morning,” I answer hoping he picks up on the subtext.

Taylor looks back and forth between us. “They know?”

I nod. Just because I don’t share all my secrets doesn’t mean I’ll straight up lie to him.

“Fucking great,” he snaps. “I guess I am just your teammate.”

He starts to get up, but I stop him. “Taylor, wait.” He sits back down. “I know you don’t understand this, but you’re my friend, and I could use your support.”

He shakes his head. “I can’t sit back and watch you blow up your life.”

“Who says that’s what he’s doing?” Griffin looks at Wren. “Love doesn’t always make sense. You think him falling for Harlow is wrong? Wren was married to my son. My best friend kept telling me to leave her alone, but that was impossible. Love doesn’t always make sense. If you’re really his friend you’ll support him.”

I hide my smirk by taking a drink from my coffee. Wren really didn’t carry anything too heavy, but if it were Harlow I’d be an overbearing ass. I’d probably bubble wrap her to be honest.

Thinking about her seems to draw her to me, and she comes into the cafe seconds later. She heads towards me, but freezes when she sees Taylor sitting here too.

Taylor scoffs. “Now I see why you chose this place.”

Harlow’s shoulders roll back and she comes the rest of the way to the table. Wren nudges Griffin. “C’mon, daddy, let’s give them some privacy.”

Taylor blinks. “Interesting friends you’ve made.” He shakes his head. “I don’t know who you are anymore.”

“I’m sorry you feel that way. I’m still the same guy,” I say to him.

Harlow takes a seat next to me. “Liam told me you were here.”

I glance up to the window, and Wren’s ex husband, current step-son, waves at me with a shit eating grin on his face. I’m glad I didn’t meet him before, because I like the guy he seems to be now. Someone who plays with his little brothers, watches over his daughter, and dotes on his wife and baby.

Harlow tips her head toward Taylor when she catches my attention back. “He knows about us, I take it.”

I take her hand and squeeze. “Yeah, he does.”

“Are you okay?” she whispers to me.

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