by Elks, Carrie
“I think I hear a little jealousy in there,” Breck joined in, giving Jackson a grin. “Didn’t you have your eye on her when she first arrived in town?”
“Yeah, but I backed down when Griff made it clear he was interested. Even if it took him forever to admit it.”
“So what’s the plan?” Lucas asked. “Is she going to stay in town? When she first arrived, she was talking about hiring a manager once she’d made all the changes she wanted.”
“I don’t know,” Griff admitted.
“What do you mean you don’t know?” Jackson frowned. “Have you not talked about it? You guys are serious, right? Every time I see you, you’re either with her or going to meet her. This is more than the fling you talked about.”
Griff watched as Frank cut the ribbon at the end of the pier, and the crowd surged forward. The four of them stood back against the rail to let the excited children and their parents push past, their backs pressed against the iron until they got a little space again.
“We’re serious,” Griff said. “But we haven’t ironed out all the details yet.”
“Wait. You’re not going to New York with her, are you?” Jackson asked, frowning.
“We haven’t talked about that either.” He could see Autumn talking to Frank, Lydia standing next to her. Lydia turned around and spotted Griff, and waved madly at him, her face bright.
“Who’s that?” Jackson asked.
“Autumn’s sister.” He glanced at his friend from the corner of his eye. “And before you ask, the answer’s no.”
Lucas laughed at Jackson’s outraged expression.
“I didn’t say anything,” he protested.
“But you thought it.” Griff looked at him through narrowed eyes. “And if I’m batting above my average with Autumn, her sister is out of your stratosphere. So no, I’m not introducing you or putting in a good word for you, or doing anything that might encourage whatever crazy notions are going through your head.”
“I only asked who she was.” Jackson shook his head. “Man, you’re protective for a guy who doesn’t even know what his future plans with his girlfriend are.”
“It’s your future plans I’m worried about.” The thought of Jackson anywhere near Lydia made Griff shiver. Not because Lydia couldn’t handle herself, because god knew she’d probably eat Jackson for breakfast. No, it was something else. Something that made him question his own thoughts.
Jackson was a player, and he didn’t want him near Autumn’s sister.
Wasn’t that something, coming from the guy who never wanted strings attached? The man who didn’t mean to break hearts, but did it anyway – you only had to ask Carla Delmonico if you wanted to know more.
Yet here he was, worried about Lydia, because hurting her would mean hurting Autumn. And the thought of causing her any pain made his hands curl into fists.
His jaw ticked as he remembered the way she’d looked this morning, her breath tight, her body supple, as he’d pressed himself into her. Every time they made love, he felt like he was falling a little deeper. It was scary as hell, yet exhilarating.
He’d never felt anything like it. Some of that was because he’d been too afraid to open himself up. But the majority of it was because of her. She touched him in places he’d never let anybody see before, not since they’d been so badly bruised by his parents.
And now here he was, protecting her sister from a guy just like him. It was ironic.
“Come on, let’s go join the girls and enjoy the day,” Lucas said, inclining his head toward the stage, where Ember, Arthur, and all their friends were watching the band set up. “And Griff’s right. Leave Autumn’s sister alone, Jack. She’s completely out of your league.”
* * *
An hour later and the charity day was in full swing. Music from the band mingled with the excited squeals from the rollercoaster, and the air was full of loud chatter as old friends met, and new acquaintances were made.
Autumn was talking to Ember and Lydia about the old photos she’d had blown up when she felt an arm slide around her waist. She looked up to see Griff smiling down at her. He pressed his lips against her brow.
“You okay?” he asked her.
She grinned, the apples of her cheeks plumping. “I’m good. Thank you for all your hard work on the stage. Everybody’s loving the band.”
“Ah, I got Lucas and Breck to do most of it. And Jackson just bitched about breaking a nail.”
Ember coughed out a laugh, hiding her face in Arthur’s fluffy hair.
“Who’s Jackson?” Lydia asked.
“Nobody you need to know.” Griff lowered his mouth to whisper in Autumn’s ear. “He’s already asked whether your sister is single. You might want to warn her.”
“She’d eat Jackson for breakfast.” Autumn shook her head.
Griff looked stunned. “I had that exact same thought.”
“That’s because you two are nauseatingly in tune with each other,” Lydia told them. “And seriously, who’s Jackson and why do I want to eat him?”
Ember laughed again. “I’m going to let you two dig your way out of this one. And for what it’s worth, Jack’s a good guy. He just needs someone to tame him a little.”
“He’s wild?” Lydia asked, leaning in close to tickle Arthur’s pudgy cheeks. “Why do I like the sound of him already.”
“He’s not wild. He runs his own business. But he’s not great with women.” Griff sighed, deciding to change the subject. “Anybody want a drink?”
“I’d love one.” Lydia grinned. “Is it too early for champ…” Her voice trailed off, and she swallowed hard as she stared over Autumn’s shoulder. “Um, it’s okay. I’m not thirsty.” Her faced paled as she pulled her gaze to Autumn’s.
“What’s wrong?” Autumn asked her. “You never turn down champagne.”
“Did you invite Dad?” Lydia asked, her brows pinched together.
“No. Why would I?” Autumn smiled at the suggestion. “He wouldn’t have come if I did.”
“You might want to turn around.” Lydia’s voice was low. “Oh shit, is that Josh with him?”
“Who’s Josh?” Griff asked.
It was as if Autumn’s neck muscles had gone into spasm, as she stopped mid turn. Little goose bumps broke out across her skin. Without thinking, she stepped out of Griff’s embrace. His arm fell back to his side, and he looked down, as though he was surprised to see it there.
“Josh is my ex-husband,” Autumn said, before she finally managed to turn and look at the coming onslaught.
* * *
Autumn was as stiff as a board beside him. Griff leaned closer to check if she was actually breathing. Natural instinct made his arm want to curl back around her and pull her close, but he somehow resisted the urge.
He got the feeling it wouldn’t have been welcome.
“Why the hell are they here?” Lydia asked. “And who’s that man with them?”
“I have no idea.” Autumn’s voice was croaky. She glanced at her sister and then back at the three men walking toward them, as though she had no idea what to do next.
Griff wasn’t sure whether he should disappear or walk forward to shake her dad’s hand. Autumn was giving him no clues, so he licked his lips, watching as they approached.
“I should…” Autumn’s hand fluttered to her neck, “go talk to them.” Her wide eyes caught his. “I’ll catch you later, okay?”
No, it really didn’t feel okay. He felt invaded, like these men dressed in dark suits and sharp ties were here to stake a claim. His fists curled with the need to defend what was his.
God, he really was a caveman. Autumn was her own person and she didn’t need defending.
Yeah, well tell his body that.
Ember licked her lips, shifting Arthur in her arms. “Maybe we should go find Lucas?” she said to Griff, curling her lips in what looked like a smile. “Come on.”
“Are you okay?” he asked Autumn before she could walk away or Ember could pull h
im away. He wasn’t sure what he wanted the answer to be. Yes, he wanted her to be okay, but he also wanted her to want him to stay.
Christ, what a mess his head was.
“Yeah,” she said, not looking at him. “I just need to find out why they’re here.”
“You want me to stay here with you?”
Her eyes widened at his question. “No,” she said quickly. “I don’t think you should… Ember’s right, you should go.”
Her suggestion felt like a slap on the face.
“Autumn!” her father boomed. “We’ve been looking all over for you. What’s going on?” He looked around, a bemused expression on his face. “Why didn’t you answer your phone? I’ve been calling you all morning.” His eyes alighted on Lydia. “And you, too.”
Lydia shrugged. “I left my phone back at Griff’s place. And Autumn’s been a bit busy. She organized this whole event single handedly.”
“Not quite.” Autumn shook her head.
“Who’s Griff?” Josh asked.
“I am.” Griff’s jaw was tight as his gaze met her ex-husband’s.
“And you’re dating Lydia?” He laughed. “Oh man, I don’t know whether to hug you or stage an intervention.”
“We’re not dating.” Lydia frowned. “I’ve only been here a few days.”
“Doesn’t usually stop you,” Josh murmured.
Lydia shot him a dirty look. “I just remembered why I’m glad you’re Autumn’s ex. And for the record, it’s not me Griff’s dating, it’s Autumn. If you can call hot sex at all hours of the day dating.”
26
“Okay, I really think we should get out of here.” Ember hitched Arthur into the crook of her right arm and slid her left into Griff’s as they watched Autumn take her father, her ex-husband, and the other man into her office. Before she closed the door, Autumn shot Griff a look that he couldn’t quite translate.
Whatever it was, he didn’t like it. He gritted his teeth at the thought of her in that room with the father who always tried to railroad her, and the husband who’d hurt her. Gently pulling his arm from Ember’s, he turned to walk over to the office.
“Griff, don’t.” Lydia put her hand on his substantial chest, her eyebrows rising up as though she was surprised at the muscles there. “Ember’s right, you should go. Be cool and let Autumn handle this.”
“I’m not going anywhere until they leave. Who was that other guy with them?”
“I don’t know,” Lydia admitted. “I’ve never seen him before.”
“Then I guess there’s only one way to find out.” He started walking toward the office, his strides so long that Lydia had to break into a fast jog to keep up with him.
“Seriously, Griff, let Autumn manage this. She’ll be mortified if you go in there all guns blazing.”
“But what if she needs some support?” He slowed down to look at Lydia. Her cheeks were pink, her mouth open as she panted.
“I’ll tell you what,” Lydia said, sliding between Griff and the office door. “Let me go in. I’ll find out who that man is and what the hell Josh is doing here. Autumn’s had enough of guys thinking they know best for her. Let her sort this out herself.”
“I don’t like it.”
“I get that. I don’t like it much either.” Lydia gave him a worried smile. “Just give me a few minutes, okay?”
He looked through the grimy windows of the office. The sun was shining too bright for him to make out anything more than the shadows of the people inside. All he could see was himself, his jaw set straight, his arms hanging at his side, and his hands forming two formidable fists.
Lydia opened the door, and he tried to see past her, but she pulled it closed too fast. But he heard the raised voices, and they made him grit his teeth.
“What’s going on?” Carla asked, coming to a stop beside him. “I heard yelling.”
“Nothing,” Griff said through his clenched jaw. “Go back to the restaurant.”
“Why are you hanging around here staring at the office like you want to kill somebody?” Carla tried to peer around him.
“No reason.” He wanted to swat her off like a fly.
“Are you okay?” she asked him, laying a hand on his arm. The edge of concern in her voice made him feel like an asshole. “Is there a problem with Autumn?”
“No.” Would she just leave already? He could feel the fire burning inside him, heating up the fear and anger laying right below the surface.
The office door opened, and Lydia stepped out, pulling her bottom lip between her teeth the same way he’d seen Autumn do a hundred times. She looked at Carla with a wary expression, then sighed and walked toward them. “Okay, we should go,” Lydia said, inclining her head to the passage between the office and the restaurant.
“Is Autumn okay?” Griff turned his back on Carla.
“Um…”
“Have you found out who the other guy is?” he asked, nodding his head at the door.
“His name’s Carlsson. He’s a property developer from L.A.”
“What’s a property developer doing here?” Carla frowned.
“I’m sorry, who are you?” Lydia asked her, though Griff was perfectly aware that she knew exactly who Carla was.
Carla squared her shoulders. “You know who I am. My dad owns this restaurant. So who’s the property developer? Why is he here? Are they talking about changes to the pier?”
The door opened again, and the three of them looked at it expectantly. But instead of Autumn walking out, it was Josh. He gave Lydia a huge grin. To Griff’s satisfaction, she gave him a scowl in return.
“You want me to point you to the airport?” she asked him.
“Hi, I’m Carla Delmonico.” Carla pushed past Griff and Lydia to offer Josh her hand. “A friend of Autumn’s. I don’t think we’ve been introduced.”
Josh’s eyes lit up. “Hey Carla, it’s good to meet you.”
“And you are?” Carla prompted.
Griff looked at Lydia, and she lifted her shoulders back at him. It was like watching a train wreck. If two exes meet, does the universe implode?
“I’m Josh Garner. Autumn’s husband.”
“Ex-husband,” Lydia corrected him, and Josh turned to look at her.
“Sorry,” he said, that inane grin never wavering. “It’s been such a short time, I forget about that.”
“I didn’t know Autumn was married.” Carla’s gaze slid to Griff. “Did you know?” she asked him. He hated the way her expression was full of compassion.
“Yeah,” he said roughly. “I know all about the divorce.”
“You must be Gruff. The whaleboat captain. Autumn’s dad has told me all about you.”
“It’s Griffin,” He shook the man’s hand, trying not to smile as his grip made Josh wince.
“Of course it is. Though Gruff rhymes with rough, which kind of suits you, right?”
“Sorry, can we get back to the property developer that Autumn’s talking to?” Carla said. “I didn’t know she had plans to develop this place.”
“Oh, she doesn’t,” Josh said casually. “She wants to sell it to him.”
It felt like a punch in Griff’s gut. “She’s selling the pier?” he asked, frowning as he tried to take it in.
“His offer’s too good to refuse,” Josh carried on. “I should know, I’m the one who found him. She’s one lucky son of a gun to find someone willing to pay that much money. Especially since she was completely hammered when she clicked the buy button.”
“She was?” Carla’s mouth dropped open. “As in drunk?”
“To her eyeballs.” Josh grinned. “Didn’t she tell you the story? She woke up to the listing on her browser. Couldn’t even remember sending an offer in, but she did. If it had been me, I’d have rescinded right away, but you know Autumn.” He shook his head, chuckling. “She has this sense of duty and felt she had to do her best for the place.”
The way Josh was talking about Autumn, as though she was still his wife, mad
e Griff’s teeth grind together.
“How do you know all of this?” Lydia asked Josh, her face even redder than when she’d run after Griff.
“Well from you, of course,” Josh said, shaking his head as if she’d just told the funniest joke. “Via your dad. He said you told him it was all a drunken mistake.”
“I didn’t say that,” Lydia muttered. “Not in those words, anyway. You’re twisting them.” She turned her head, her eyes catching Griff’s. “It wasn’t a mistake. It never has been. She wanted to come here.”
“She wanted to hurt her dad. And probably me, too. God knows I hurt her enough.” For the first time, the smile slid from Josh’s lips. “I’m just hoping I can make it up to her and get her to come home with her head held high.” He shrugged. “I can’t help but feel this is all my fault.”
“So that’s why you’re here? To make up for being such an asshole?” Lydia’s laugh was short. “When did you die and become Mother Teresa?”
“Isn’t Mother Teresa dead?” Carla asked, frowning.
Griff’s nails dug into the hard skin on his palms. Not that he felt it, not really. He was too damn confused for all that.
Autumn bought this place as a mistake? Though he’d never asked her outright why she’d purchased the pier and come to Angel Sands, it still felt like a lie. The kind of story she should have told him while they were curled up in bed together, their voices heavy with sated desire.
So why didn’t she tell him? He could understand her being a little embarrassed about it, but they’d been naked together so many times, for god’s sake. They were way beyond being embarrassed about things they’d done.
He swallowed hard, remembering something she’d said to him after the first time they’d kissed at the top of the cliff.
I’m making bad decisions left, right, and center at the moment.
She’d been talking about buying the pier, he was certain of it now. But not just about the pier. More than one decision. At least two.
The second one was kissing him.
You were a mistake. You always have been. The voice in his head sounded exactly like his mom’s.