Page 11 of Playing Hard to Hate
“Just routine lab work. I’m fine. Nothing to worry about.”
I nodded and took a seat at the table just as my father strolled in and sat at the head of the table while Mom sat to his right.
“Griffin, late as usual,” he greeted, picking up his whiskey and taking a sip.
“Traffic in the city, unfortunately.”
“Surprised you didn’t bring the blonde with you to dinner tonight.”
“She had other plans,” I snapped, hating that he was down my throat the second he saw me instead of congratulating me on yet another win.
“You being in the tabloids every other week isn’t good for my business, Griffin.”
“Not like I can control the paparazzi, Dad.”
“No, son…but you can control the situation and stop being seen with a different girl every week.”
“Wouldn’t want to follow in your footsteps, right?”
My father slammed his hands down on the table, and my mom jumped. He had been known as a notorious playboy in his youth, and I guess seeing his son do the same just wasn’t acceptable.
“You might not live under my roof, but you will respect me and your mother when you are in this house. What I did in the past before her is none of your concern.”
Rolling my eyes, I waited for my mom to start grace, and then we dug into the food.
“Still doing Pilates?” I asked Mom, trying to make small talk while my father glared at me.
“Yes, just joined a new studio actually. That girl, Millie Sacs, who you went to school with, opened one in town.”
I didn’t know Millie was still in town.
“Do you ever hear anything about Tate?” I asked, and Mom dropped her fork to her plate. Dad looked to her and then me.
“Why do you ask?”
“It’s been four years since her mom passed away, and I was just wondering what happened to Tate.”
My mom cleared her throat and looked away at the mention of Sarah Grace.
“From what I heard, she never left town, but she keeps to herself.”
“Does she have a boyfriend?”
Dad laughed at the question. “You think you can show her one night of fun, Griffin?”
“I just want to know that she’s not alone. She has no one.”
“She’s not your problem. Focus on your career because if you don’t quit this playboy act, they will not sign you again nextseason after your probation period, and then I guess you’ll be working for me at the law firm.”
“Even if that were to happen, there is no chance in hell I would ever work for you,” I sneered.
“That’s enough, you two. I want to enjoy the little time I have as my family is whole. If you have nothing nice to say, Charles, be quiet. Our son is home.” Mom never stood up to my dad. I had a feeling she would regret it later, but for now, there was silence, and we ate quietly.
I wondered the rest of the evening about Tatum Grace and figured the easiest way to her was through her best friend.
CHAPTER 7
TATUM
