“Who is he?” I hear the newcomer ask, and groan when I recognize the voice as Cameron, my brother-in-law.
“Parker,” I hiss.
“What? He stopped to see me. They had a quick break, and Cam wanted to switch out his cleats and left them in his room. I didn’t know,” she replies.
Hot tears prick my eyes. It’s ridiculous that I’m upset, but I really like Griffin. I just wanted him for me. Just this once, I wanted to be Peyton. Not Peyton Monroe.
“Hi, I’m Griffin,” he announces to Cameron, offering him his hand that again is not holding mine. I try to step away from him, but he tightens his hold and turns to me. “What’s wrong?” He must see it in my eyes because his hands cradle my cheeks instantly, and he bends so that we’re eye to eye. “What is it?”
“Nothing. I’m fine. Let’s just go.”
“We can’t let you just leave with him,” Cameron says. His reply is much like Holden’s.
“You’re not my father. Either of you. I’m an adult. I can do what I want.”
“You’re our sister,” they both reply at the same time, making me groan, and my heart melts with love for the two of them at the same time. I’m a mess.
“What can I do?” Griffin asks.
“Get me out of here.” I know the chances of him defying two Major League baseball players is slim to none, but I find myself hoping he takes me seriously.
Griffin presses his lips to my forehead, slides his arm around my waist, and faces my family. “I’ll gladly send you my address of where we’re going to be. I promise you that I won’t let anything happen to her, and I will personally deliver her to this room when she’s ready to come home.”
His words have the tears threatening to fall. I didn’t expect his reply. Who am I kidding? I didn’t expect him either, but here we are.
“Do you know who we are?” Cameron asks, crossing his muscled arms over his chest.
“Yes.”
“So you know we have connections?” Holden adds.
Great, here we go. “Guys, just stop. We’re leaving,” I say, pulling on Griffin’s hand.
“You won’t need them,” Griffin says, his voice firm.
“You make sure that we won’t,” Cameron replies.
“Okay, boys, that’s enough. Obviously, you’re not scaring him, but I think you’re going to cause Peyton to lose her shit. Let them go.” Parker steps toward me and wraps me in a hug. “Be safe, little sister. I love you.”
“Love you too,” I tell her, hugging her back with one arm because Griffin refuses to release my hand.
“Now,” she says, stepping back, “I would appreciate it if you would send me his address. Just in case.”
“Send her my license,” Griffin chimes in.
“You all are aware how ridiculous this is, right?” I ask, rolling my eyes.
“Just keeping you safe, Peyton,” Holden says gently.
“What’s the point of having big brothers if we can’t give your dates shit?” Cameron asks.
“By marriage,” I counter. And then I turn to Holden. “And you’re not even married yet.”
Holden turns to Parker. “We need to do something about that,” he tells her, and she smiles.
“I love you, all three of you, but we’re leaving. I’ll text you where I am.”
“Be safe,” Parker calls out.
This time, Griffin lets me drag him out of the room. As soon as the door shuts behind us, he’s pulling me into his embrace.
“I don’t know what that was, but I’m sorry if I caused problems with your family. I just wanted to do this right.”
“You didn’t. I just… never mind. Can we go?”
“We’re going to have to talk about this,” he says, leading me toward the elevator.
“Why?”
“Because it obviously upset you.”
“It’s not your job to take care of me.”
“Yeah,” he agrees. “But what if I want it to be?”
“You barely know me.”
“I want to know everything about you, Peyton.”
“We’re early. Karina’s probably not ready yet.”
“That’s fine. Let’s take a walk around the grounds.”
I lace my fingers with his and let him lead me outside. I get lost in my thoughts, and he lets me. It didn’t seem to faze him at all that Cameron and Holden were in my suite. I don’t know what to think about that. Is he pretending? Does he really not care? I guess only time will tell.
CHAPTER 4
Griffin
Holy fuck. My hand grips Peyton’s tightly as we walk around the hotel. It’s a small path that I’ve seen many guests use to run on. Today, it’s serving as a route for a leisurely stroll with a beautiful girl.
A beautiful girl who is so deeply connected to the game that I love… and I’m not sure how to process it. Cameron Taylor and Holden Bailey are her family. From what I gather, one is married to a sister, and the other is about to be?
I can’t believe I was just standing there with two of the greats, and I basically told them to fuck off with my attitude. I get it. I know they’re worried about her, but I’m not that guy. Sure, they don’t know that, but she’s an adult. She can make her own choices. And, damn, they need to let her breathe a little.
We stop next to the hotel entrance, and Peyton turns to face me. “I’m sorry about that. They’re… protective. It’s a curse being the youngest.”
“You have nothing to be sorry for,” I say, tucking a flyaway hair behind her ear.
She nods and steps to the side, taking a seat on the bench. “Cameron Taylor is my brother-in-law. He’s married to my eldest sister, Paisley.”
“I caught that,” I tease, bumping my arm into hers.
“And Holden, he and my sister Parker are dating. Well, more than dating, but they’re not married.”
“Caught that too.”
“I’m sorry I didn’t tell you.” Her words are soft, and I can feel the regret rolling off her in waves. At least, I think it’s regret.
“Hey.” I turn and place my index finger under her chin and lift her eyes to mine. “You had no responsibility to tell me about your sisters’ husband and boyfriend.”
“But you love baseball, and you want to go pro.” She pauses, and when I open my mouth to speak, she beats me to it. “Even though I’m sure you’ve figured it out, I guess I should also confess that my dad is Easton Monroe.”
Fuck. I assumed when I learned her sister was married to Cameron Taylor. I know he was married to Easton Monroe’s eldest daughter. They were all over the sports news stations when they first got together.
“I kind of put two and two together.”
“Yeah,” she says sadly.
“Hey.” I wait for her to look at me. “What’s going on in that pretty little head of yours?”
“I wanted you for me,” she murmurs.
“What?” I hear her, but I’m not sure I understand what she’s trying to say.