Page 116 of Tangled Kisses
Spotty service or not, Piper will see it eventually. And when she does, I’ll finally get some answers.
Until then, I’m not letting Reese out of my sight.
Chapter Twenty-Six
Reese
The pounding in my skull feels like a marching band took up residence behind my eyes. My mouth is dry as the Sahara, my stomach twisted into knots, and the hot shower I just crawled out of did nothing but steam up the mirror and remind me how much easier this used to be in my twenties. When I was Griffin’s age. Yet another reminder of why this whole love concept was a ridiculous idea—if it was ever an idea at all. Probably just one I conjured up in my head.
The room is quiet when I pad back out, towel wrapped around my hair. No sign of him. Figures. Maybe he finally came to his senses.
I’m halfway to convincing myself to explore town—or maybe just pack up and drive back to New York—when the door swings open. Griffin strolls in, balancing a paper bag and two coffees.
“Morning, belleza,” he says, flashing me a smile.
I squint at him, wincing. “Why are you awake? It’s not eight yet.”
He sets the bag on the little table by the window, sliding one cup toward me. “Because you needed breakfast. Figured you shouldn’t face the day on an empty stomach.”
I lift a hand as if I can turn down the volume of the world. “Please. Everything’s too loud right now.”
He presses a bottle of water and a couple of aspirin into my palm. “Got you covered.” His fingers brush the damp ends of my hair, skimming the nape of my neck, and it’s ridiculous how much that one touch steadies me.
I sink into the chair and nibble at the pancakes and bacon he sets in front of me. The food settles my stomach, but exhaustion drags me back under fast.
When I slump back in the chair, Griffin hooks a thumb toward the bed. “Come on. Lie down, get a few more hours of sleep.”
I hesitate. “Wait, are you leaving?”
He kicks off his boots, leaning against the dresser like he’s weighing it. “I was planning on catching a few hours myself. Unless you want me to go.”
“No, I’d like you to stay.” The words tumble out before I can second-guess them.
But I mean every one.
My heart aches as badly as my head, but right now, this tiny town in the Oregon wilderness feels too cold to face alone.
He nods once, quiet, then climbs onto the bed beside me, staying on top of the blankets. “Good. Because I’m not going anywhere.”
I feel almosthuman when I wake a couple of hours later. Not fully there, but at least the marching band has switched to a two-piece acoustic set. The TV hums softly in the background, some old spaghetti western playing.
I blink blearily toward the opposite side of the bed and catch Griffin studying me instead of the movie.
Dragging a hand over my face, I push my hair back. “How long was I out?”
“Two hours,” he says, an easy grin tugging at his mouth. “Are you feeling better? Almost human again?”
I snort. “That might be pushing it. Thanks for breakfast and letting me sleep.”
“Not a problem. You know I’d do anything for you.”
Yeah, for the right amount of money, you’ll play any part.
My chest tightens at the thought, but I shove it down. I know I need to speak to Griffin, confront him about his deal with my sister and let him know how much they both hurt me. But I’m not ready—not yet. Because once I hear the truth from his lips, it’s over.
No more fantasy.
No more pretending.
