Page 59 of What If I See You

“I’m so sorry, Mom. Dad. We really never meant to hurt anyone by getting married so quickly we just?—”

“Is she pregnant, Griffin?” Mom’s words punch me right in the gut.

“What?” I shake my head adamantly, my brows pinched. “No. Mom she’s not…No.”

I can’t admit that we haven’t even properly consummated our marriage yet and she’s talking about pregnancy already. Jesus fuck, I’ve never been more grateful that my penis wasn’t working on our wedding night when I think about the fact I could’ve knocked her up and damned her to a life I never even asked if she wanted.

“Just thought maybe there was a more concrete reason for the haste is all.”

“I promise you there isn’t.”

We were just very drunk and super stupid.

She gives me a reassuring smile but it’s coupled with that look that says she knows something isn’t right. “We love you both no matter what, Griffin. You know that. And hey…” She rubs her hands together. “I’m ready for grandbabies whenever you are.”

I huff out a laugh. “Oh, good Lord.”

It’s late when we finally say goodbye to my family and head home.

“Your family is really great, Griffin,” Layken says, reflecting on the evening. She’s all bundled up in my hoodie looking as adorable as ever. I’ve watched her pull the collar up to her nose and inhale twice now, which makes me smile. “And oh, my God, that lasagna…mmm.” She rubs her stomach and leans her head back on the seat. “Soo damn good.”

“Right? I told you.”

“You did.”

“I think Gage is smitten with you.”

“Yeah?” She smiles. “He’s such a sweetheart.”

“Now don’t go getting any ideas about jumping ship and falling for my brother.”

“Oooh.” She giggles. “Now that’s a whole other tropey romance.”

“Really?” I turn my head for just a moment to glance at her. Her smile is beautiful even in the moonlight and now I wish I didn’t have to keep my eyes on the damn road the whole way home. “There are really books like that?”

“Oh, hell yeah.” She pats my leg. “But don’t you worry, I promise I won’t go running off.”

Tonight, I wish that were really true.

We talk for a while longer while I drive and then a peaceful silence falls between us. I want so badly to ask Layken what she’s thinking because I haven’t been able to stop thinking about how amazing she was with my family. Anyone looking in from the outside would’ve thought she had known us all for years.

Would they have seen the two of as two people madly in love with each other?

I don’t know.

My dad and Gage seemed smitten. That much I can tell very easily. But my gut tells me my mom knows something is up though she never said anything to the contrary.

There were times tonight that I wanted to look at Mom and Dad and tell them the truth. I know they won’t be upset if I just come clean to them. Hell, Dad would probably have a good laugh, but too many people know about what really happened already. I don’t want to risk getting Layken into any further trouble with her family. Not only that but watching her with my family today made me feel things I’ve never felt before. Seeing her bond over books with Mom and dancing in silly videos with Gage, she’s everything I had always hoped for.

She’s the kind of girl I always thought I would fall for.

I know this pipe dream of a marriage can’t really exist, but damn, what if it could?

“Do you think they liked me?”

Layken’s voice cuts through my thoughts and brings me back to reality.

“What?”

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