“No matter what, Grim. I won’t leave you, no matter what.”
“I want us to have a place away from here.”
“Why?”
“I just . . . I’d feel better having our own space. Away from the drama.”
“But this is your home. With your brothers. Just sleep on it, Grim. You’re tired, and you’ve been gone all night.” It’s the only explanation I have for his desperate plea of reassurance.
He nods. “Stay.”
I bite my lower lip. I’ve been so distracted lately, I’m behind at work. “I guess I could work from home today.” He smiles with relief, and I follow him back to the bed, where he lies down. I settle beside him and open my laptop. I make a decision to speak to Mav about Grim, he knows him better than anyone and might know what’s really going on. Maybe a place of our own wouldn’t be so bad, but I’d miss being here with all the noise and craziness.
“It’s early days, Hads, but I think I’m falling for you,” he mumbles sleepily.
I gently run my fingers through his hair, and he closes his eyes. “Same,” I whisper.
Later, I leave Grim sleeping and head downstairs to find Mav. He’s in his office looking just as exhausted as Grim did earlier. I go in and shut the door, taking a seat. “Come in,” he mutters sarcastically. “Make yourself comfortable.”
“I’m worried about Grim,” I state, and he drops his pen down and looks at me.
“That makes two of us.”
“He was acting crazy today. Did something happen last night?”
Mav shakes his head. “No. He’s been off for days. Last night, Arthur severed ties with a man he’s been trying to get on side for weeks. He did that for this club, to help Grim because I thought the stress of having Cambridge put a target on his back was getting to him.” He pinches the bridge of his nose. “But he didn’t seem any less stressed when I told him. And all the business with his mum isn’t helping.”
“He wants us to get a place together.” Mav doesn’t bother to hide his shocked expression. “I know,” I mutter, smirking. “Imagine, an actual man who wants to live with me.”
“It’s not that, Hads. Grim loves being around the guys. I know he gets itchy feet sometimes and talks about hitting the road, but he’d always come back for the brothers. Living away from us? It’s not like him.”
“Maybe,” I grin, “he’s fallen madly in love with me, and I’ve changed him.”
“Or maybe he’s worrying about something? Something we don’t know about. He wants to run. He’s been telling me as much for the last few months.” Mav falls silent, trying hard to work out what Grim would be running from.
“Do you think he’s worried about the brothers finding out about us?”
Mav shakes his head. “No. They already know.”
“What?”
“I accidentally let it slip last night.”
“He never said.”
“Why the secret anyway?”
I shrug. “We just liked our little bubble. Then Meli happened, so we decided to wait.”
“Well, Meli is feeling much better today. I’m sure she’ll be up and about later. There’s no reason to keep it hidden. Let’s get it out there and celebrate, see if that helps him relax.”
I nod in agreement. “I think I’ll tell her first. She’s not his biggest fan, and I’m sure she’ll have plenty to say.”
“Maybe while you’re there, you can ask her who the fuck got her pregnant,” Mav suggests, looking pissed. “I can’t kill a shadow.” I nod, just as curious to know.
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
HADLEY
Meli smiles, pleased to see me when I go into her room. “You look much better,” I tell her, taking a seat.
“I’m bored out of my mind. Mum won’t let me move from the bed, and she’s driving me insane.”
“You gave us a fright yesterday,” I remind her. “Meli, why didn’t you tell me?”
“I don’t know,” she admits. “I only found out two weeks ago, and you were busy with work. I just didn’t want to bother you.”
I don’t correct her. I was too busy with Grim hiding in my room, and I feel guilty as hell. “And the father?”
“A one-night stand,” she mutters, and my eyes widen. “I know, okay, I’m not proud of it.”
“You have to stop this destructive behaviour, Meli. Since Rosey came back, you’ve been worse.”
“Don’t blame Rosey. I’m an adult. She’s fun to be around and she’s there for me.”
I narrow my eyes, and she looks guilty all of a sudden. “You told her?”
Meli shrugs. “She was around.”
“You told Rosey and not me!”
“Let’s not fight,” she mutters. “We’re always fighting.”
“Is it any wonder? What did I do wrong? She knew about Ripper, and now, she knows this, so what other secrets do you run to her with?”
“It’s not like that. She’s my friend.”
“We’re twins, we’re supposed to share everything.” As the words fall from my mouth, Grim and our own little secret comes to mind, and I press my lips together in a tight line. I stand. “Seeing as we’re full of secrets lately, I’ll tell you mine. I’m in a relationship.”
Meli sits up straighter, smiling. “Wow. Hads, that’s great.” Then her smile fades. “With who?” she asks, suspiciously. I hesitate and she takes a deep, calming breath. “Tell me it’s not Grim.”
“We like each other. It’s early days and we’re taking it slow, but we’re adults. And it’s nothing to do with you, so I’d appreciate if you kept your negative thoughts to yourself.”
She surprises me by bursting into tears. I stare for a second before reacting, rushing over and wrapping my arms around her. “Are you okay?”
“I’m shocked,” she says between sniffles. “Grim?”
I smile, tucking her hair behind her ear. “I know you hate him, but you’ve always known how I feel about him, and finally, he sees me! I’ve waited so long for that.”
She gives me a sad smile. “I miss us spending time together. I’m sorry I didn’t tell you.”
I kiss her cheek. “I’m sorry I haven’t been around much. I’ll make more of an effort.”
GRIM
Something wet splashes over my face and I sit up in shock, gasping for breath while wiping the ice water from my eyes. “Fuck!”
“You and fucking Hadley,” hisses Meli before she proceeds to pound her fists against my chest.
I grab her wrists. “Meli, stop! Stop!”
“How could you?”
“I tried to tell you. It just happened. I couldn’t stop my feelings for her.”
“Bullshit! Fucking bullshit, Grim! You’re in her bed. In her fucking bed!” She grips her head like she can’t process any of it. “You better tell her.”