Page 114 of Playing Hard to Hate
The words sliced through me, but I refused to flinch. Instead, I lifted my chin, meeting his gaze head-on.
Griffin, however, wasn’t so composed. His chair scraped back slightly as he leaned forward, his voice cold. “Excuse me?”
Charles sighed, exasperated. “Come on, Griffin. You have your whole career ahead of you. A wedding? That’s a distraction. And the kind of distraction you don’t need.” His tone darkened, eyes narrowing. “Especially not with someone like her.”
Evelyn sucked in a breath, looking mortified. “Charles.”
Griffin’s hands curled into fists on the table, his entire body stiff with restrained anger. “Someone like her?” His voice was dangerously low.
I could feel my pulse pounding in my ears, but I refused to let Charles see how much his words affected me. Instead, I smiled a sharp, practiced smile. “You’re right, Mr. Silver. I’m probably not what you envisioned for your son.”
Charles huffed. “I think we can both agree on that.”
Griffin shot up from his seat, his chair scraping against the floor. “Enough.” His voice was pure steel. “I don’t need your approval. I never have.”
For the first time, something flickered in Charles’s expression, something like surprise, maybe even a hint of respect.
But it didn’t matter. Because the damage had already been done.
And suddenly, that warm feeling I’d had when I first stepped inside this house? It was long gone.
CHAPTER 41
GRIFFIN
PRESENT
Breaking News: Griffin Silver Named New Ace Pitcher for the Atlanta Braves!
The Atlanta Braves are wasting no time preparing for the upcoming season, and they’ve just made a blockbuster announcement. Griffin Silver is stepping up as the team’s new starting pitcher!
After a championship-winning season and an unforgettable playoff run, the Braves are looking to keep their momentum alive, and handing the mound over to Silver is a bold move. Best known for his dominant performance in center field, Silver has proven to be a powerhouse player with an arm that could send rockets into orbit.
With longtime team leader and pitcher Jaxon Dexter officially retiring, the Braves needed someone who could fill the void, and Silver is more than ready for the challenge. According to sources inside the organization, Silver has been working closely with the coaching staff during the offseason, perfecting his pitching mechanics and preparing to take on this new role.
“Griffin is an incredible athlete and one of the most dedicated players I’ve ever coached,” said manager Doug Kessler in a statement. “He’s got the arm, the discipline, and the leadership we need on the mound. This transition was a natural fit.”
The decision to move Silver to starting pitcher might surprise some fans, but insiders say it’s been in the works for months. With a fastball that clocks in at the high 90s and an ability to read the game like a veteran, Silver could be the secret weapon the Braves need to dominate next season.
And let’s not forget Silver thrives under pressure. Whether it’s hitting a walk-off homer or pulling off a game-saving catch, the guy knows how to deliver. Now, he’ll be doing it from the mound, where the stakes are even higher.
What does this mean for the Braves?
A fresh, young ace to lead the rotation. Andhigh expectations for back-to-back championships.
With spring training just a few months away, all eyes will be on Silver as he prepares for one of the biggest transitions of his career.
Can he live up to the pressure? Can he bring another championship home?
Stay tuned for exclusive interviews, inside scoops, and everything you need to know about the Braves’ upcoming season!
Dragging a tired hand down my face, I let out a slow breath, frustration simmering beneath my skin. The tabloids had turned me into their favorite clickbait, and I was getting really damn sick of it. It wasn’t enough that they speculated about every game, every move I made on the field, but now they were obsessed with my personal life, spinning wild stories about Tate and me heading down the aisle.
A week.We’d been dating a week, and somehow, they already had us picking out wedding colors. All because of a damn jewelry campaign. The shoot had done wonders for Tate’s career, though, with booked-out schedules, major brand deals, and enough income to move out of that old condo into a new place right here in the city.
We weren’t an hour apart anymore.
She missed Millie. I would be a fool if I hadn’t noticed that, but they still saw each other every weekend, and as for me? I got to see Tateevery single night.
