Page 48 of The Check Down

A thrill zips down my spine.

Griffin

This Gethin character. He’s my favorite.

I huff a laugh. Of course he’s a fan of the brooding, mysterious knight.

Griffin

Need I point out that Gethin and Griffin are VERY similar names? The similarities don’t stop there either. We’re both dark-haired and devastatingly handsome.

The name literally translates to ‘dark and swarthy’ [eye roll emoji]

You and your name translations. What does Griffin mean, I wonder?

Pain in the ass.

You wound me, Hill. I’ve already looked it up. Feel free to call me Lord or Prince anytime.

That one pulls a snort-laugh from me. Sitting up, I type my response.

Hill, huh? I think I’ll stick with Racy for you.

Griffin

If you must, not-a-hill. Don’t worry, I won’t tell anyone that I’m the inspiration for your hot, charming, badass warrior knight.

I started writing that before I met you, so…

Feel free to reveal my contributions in the acknowledgments. You know, when this becomes a real book. Because it’s really fucking good, Brynn.

My heart pangs, and the phone screen blurs in front of me. I have to blink several times to make out his next message.

Griffin

I mean it. It’s so damn fun and exciting. It’s got high-stakes adventure, cool-ass dragons, and a touch of romance. I couldn’t put it down. Beau had to drag me from my seat on the plane when we landed. I had just gotten to the part where Eleri makes the deal with Aethon for the sword, and I didn’t want to stop. I love it. Please keep going.

Really?!?! I’m so happy you like it! [smiling face emoji]

For real. I made it to their first kiss scene after dinner, but stopped because my head is killing me. I’ll get back into it tomorrow on the ride home.

Griff! Why are you texting me if you feel bad? Go to sleep. Hope you feel better when you wake up.

No worries. I sometimes get stress headaches the night before big games. I’ll rally.

You’re going to kick ass, Lord and Prince of Football. Sweet dreams.

Putting Lord and Prince of Football on all my social media. Be good, professor. See you tomorrow night.

I return my phone to the charging pad on the table and snuggle into my pillow. With a smile and Barnaby’s soft, worn wings between my fingers, soothing me, I drift off.

Turns out, denial is a powerful sedative.

Chapter ten

Brynn

The following morning, I let myself luxuriate in bed longer than usual. Enjoying the quiet, I sink deeper into the warmth of the bedcovers and think back to the discovery I made last Sunday when Griff was in New York:

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