Page 32 of Barely Breathing
“I’m at the hospital with a friend.She’s fine now, but I was worried for a bit.Made me realize what’s important and what’s not.”
“She?Is this the young lady Roman was telling me about?Honor?”
Leave it to his mother to pick up on theshe.
“Yeah.Honor.I’m sure you’ll meet her soon.”
“I can’t wait.She must be someone very special to have you realizing so much.”
“She is.She just doesn’t know it yet.”
“Well, I didn’t raise any fools.Besides you have the charm of your father.I’ve never seen a female you couldn’t sway.”
He thought of Honor and how different she was.Hell, she scoffed at him being a gentleman.Made jokes about him walking little old ladies across the street.He grinned.She was perfect.He hadn’t realized what he’d been looking for until she stood right in front of him, going nose-to-nose and telling him off.
“Thanks, Mom.”
“I love you.”The tears were still in her voice.
“I love you, too, Mom.Tell Roman I said goodnight.”
She gasped, not even trying to hide her surprise.It made Griff feel incredibly small to realize how awful he’d been to them both.There was no excuse for how he’d behaved.
“I will.I’ll see you soon?”she asked.
“Yes.Soon.”
“Bring your friend,” she said.“I can’t wait to meet her.”
“I will, Mom.’Night.”
“’Night.”
He disconnected and pushed off the wall to head toward the nurse’s station.He’d be lucky if Honor was still in the room when he returned.He doubted she cared if they released her or not.If she wanted to go, she’d go.He grinned.He doubted his life would ever have a dull moment with her around.That sounded perfect to him.
Chapter Eleven
Honor knew Griff was awake beside her, though he didn’t speak.She was loath to break the silence.It felt good to lie next to him with his arms around her.She could pretend this was her new normal, that they belonged together.Even if it was only for the moment.She had no idea how to casually mention staying in Legacy for a while and was afraid of how badly it would devastate her if he wasn’t interested.
The last two days had been hell.Her dad had been determined to cart her back with him to whatever his location was.She’d had to remind him he’d fired her and told her to go have a “normal” life.His glance had bounced between her and Griff, and the next thing she’d known, he’d been grilling Griff.
Luckily, Griff had taken it all in stride.He didn’t seem surprised by the questions.The moment her dad had agreed to leave without her.she’d known he approved of Griff.Otherwise, she’d be waking in a much different bed right now.Alone.
“Stace and Shep won’t be back until after the weekend.They called Jack and said they were staying another week with Chloe.He didn’t mention you or anything that happened here.”Griff’s lips brushed over the top of her head where it rested on his chest.
“She’ll be pissed later, but she has enough to deal with, right now.I hope Chloe is okay.Maybe, they’ll bring her back here with them.”
“I think Stace had plans along those lines.But Chloe seems to think she has to handle this on her own and feels as if she’s failing.She’s a tough girl, though,” Griff said.
“She is.”Honor cleared her throat.“Maybe, I should stick around until she gets back.See if there’s anything I can do to help.”
He tensed under her, and her heart started to break.He didn’t want her to stay.Pride had the next words spilling out.
“There are plenty of places I can stay while I’m in town.I can move into another place here, or I’m sure it would be safe to go back to a hotel.”
“Don’t.”One word and it was more vicious than a jagged blade to her heart.She would not fucking cry.
“Sorry.”She struggled to pull away from him, but his grip tightened.“Let go, Griff.If you don’t want me here, I’ll pack up and head out now.It’s been real.Thanks for a fucking good time.”She brayed out a harsh laugh at the double meaning.
