Page 66 of Accepting Fate

“Yup. Forgot about that.” I didn’t realize he still had my keys, but he unlocks the Jeep, walks over, and puts his stuff in the back.

I go to the driver's side and debate the best way to get in without hurting my back more.

Grayson places his hand on the door, stopping me from getting in. “Nope. Passenger side. You’re not driving.”

I go to protest but he gives me a look that lets me know he’s serious.

“Grayson, you cannot drive my car.”

“Says who? Now get to walking, slow poke.”

I want to argue but that hot tub is calling my name. I go to the passenger side and Grayson lifts me into the seat. I watch as he heads over to his bike and pushes it to the side of the house under the awning.

He joins me in the Jeep. “Fuck, you’re short. Can you see over the steering wheel?” he asks as he readjusts everything to fit his giant body.

“Yes, asshole. Now can you tell me where this magical hot tub is?”

Once he’s situated, he backs out and heads down the driveway.

“Don’t freak out but my family has a house we all share. We call it The Hideout. It started out as a place for my brothers and me to ride our bikes and not tear up my mom’s flower beds. Now we use it as a place for cookouts and whatever else we want to do.”

Nervousness hits me. “Grayson, I cannot meet your family today. I feel like shit, and I would make a horrible first impression. Plus, I told you I want to take it slow, meeting the family isn’t slow.”

Grayson reaches over and places his hand over my knee. “Relax, Angel. Everyone is either busy or out of town. No one is going to be there. You will meet them one day, but I want you to myself for a little while.”

My insecurities bubble to the surface and I have to ask. “Are you hiding me because you think they won’t like me?”

Geez, Logan. Talk about emotional whiplash, I say to myself.

His head snaps to me and then back to the road. “What? No. They will love you. I just don’t want them to steal you away from me. It’s selfish but I want to be with you without them calling me every free minute and asking me to bring you over.”

Relaxing slightly, I let out a sigh. “Okay. If you say so.”

“I promise, Angel. Now stop freaking out. We're almost there.”

Grayson keeps his hand on my knee the entire drive. I think I could get used to having someone drive me around. I never get to take in the scenery around me when I’m driving by myself.

I’ve lived here for years now, and I don’t think I will ever get over how peaceful it is here. I understand seasonal depression from the time I lived in New York and being stuck in the snow. But I don’t feel like that here. It’s like a never-ending sound machine.

It doesn’t take long before we turn onto a long winding driveway. I’m speechless when the house comes into view. I assumed it was going to be a tiny cabin with a hot tub but this place is the complete opposite.

It looks like a warehouse turned into a house. It’s stunning and I can see why Gray and his family like to come here.

Grayson turns off the Jeep and hops out, quickly making his way to my side. He opens my door and gently picks me up. Careful not to jostle around too much, he squats and sets my legs on the ground.

“You know, I could have done that myself," I inform him

He gives me a quick kiss and turns me around to start walking towards the house. “I know but I like having you in my arms.”

Butterflies fill my stomach at his words. No one has ever treated me this way.

We reach the covered concrete porch. In the corner next to the driveway is a metal fire pit surrounded by hunter-green Adirondack chairs. A big grill rests against the wall of the house next to the door.

I’m about to poke fun and ask if the hot tub is inside and then I spot it. It sits in the far corner, facing the wall of trees on the backside of the house. From where I stand, it looks like it can fit at least ten people or more. Which makes sense because it needs to be big enough to fit three other Grayson-sized men plus his parents.

Grayson taps my arms and motions for me to follow him into the house. The inside is just as impressive. He takes me on a quick tour pointing out the bathroom, basement, and storage room. Luckily, he skips the upstairs portion of the tour.

Tugging me to his chest, he mutters in my ear, “I’m going to get changed and grab us towels. Don’t you fucking dare get undressed without me. Grab a beer or whatever you want from the fridge. I’ll be right back.”

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