Page 97 of What If I See You

Gage on the other hand, gives his brother a nudge and then says, “Come on, let’s see it.”

“See what?” Griffin asks.

Gage gestures to Griffin’s shirt. “Lift it up and let’s see the injury. Is it badass?”

Gage is all grins. It’s cute to see he and Griffin interact together like the brothers they are. Like bruised ribs are nothing. All part of the game.

Battle scars.

Griffin chuckles lightly and then lifts his shirt, his entire left side clouded in shades of black, blue and purple. Gage nods in appreciation and then gives his brother a high five.

“That’s badass, bro.”

Griffin smiles. “You think so?”

“Yep. I think badass is your middle name.”

Hmm.

What is Griffin’s middle name?

I should probably know that.

“Well,” Gail says, rubbing her hands together and looking around. “What can we help you with while we’re here?”

“Absolutely nothing, Mom,” Griffin tells her, wrapping an arm over her shoulder. “I’m glad you guys are here and I have nothing on my agenda so you can relax and enjoy doing nothing right along with me.”

She glances around the living room, her brows furrowed. “Layken, there aren’t many things of yours around here. It’s all the same décor Griffin’s always had.” She brings her hands to her hips. “Is my son not letting you decorate the way you want to? Because if he’s giving you hard time because you like pink or something…”

“Yep.” Griffin nods, saving me from having to answer. “That’s it. Layken’s a sparkly pink girlie and I’m orange and blue all the way.” He holds his hand up in front of his mouth and loudly whispers to his mother, “Did you know she hates orange?”

He’s not wrong.

Orange is my least favorite color.

I am the pink sparkly girly type.

Probably another reason we don’t really mix.

Like how he’s a celebrity athlete and I don’t athlete at all.

Or how he’s a millionaire and I’m…well, currently unemployed.

“I don’t hate orange,” I remind Griffin, blushing, a bit embarrassed. “It’s just…not as shiny as pink. But to answer your question Mrs. Ollenberg, no, Griffin told me I could do literally whatever I wanted to the place to spruce it up a bit and bring a little of me into the space. I just wanted to live in it a bit first before I decide what feels right.”

My eyes move to Griffin who winks at me and then gestures in my direction.

“See, Mom? I can’t help it if Layken is a lazy mooch and hasn’t brought anything pink in here yet.”

My jaw drops and I laugh out loud at Griffin’s audacity, as does his mother. “Son, if you didn’t already have a set of finely bruised ribs, you certainly would now with a comment like that.”

Griffin steps over to me chuckling. “Nah, Lake knows I’m kidding.” He leans in and kisses my cheek, wrapping me in a hug. “She knows I love her.”

I kiss Griffin’s cheek in response and continue smiling on the outside even though on the inside I’m frozen in place with my jaw on the floor.

Did he just say he loves me?

I sentGriffin out of the kitchen to visit with his family while I clean up dinner. He doesn’t need to be up on his feet moving around so much and if that means I’m babying him a little, then so be it. He wants to get back out on the ice and I just want him to be happy. He doesn’t get to see his family as often as he wishes, especially during the busy season and my heart hurts for him when I see how happy he is hanging out with them. I know he wishes he was able to see them every day. Especially Gage. It shouldn’t take an injury and required time off for him to take the time to be with his family. Not when they’re as close as they are.

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