Beyond the Team (Out of Reach 4)

“It’s nice to meet you as well, Peyton. We’ve heard a lot about you.” He winks as he takes my hand in his. “And you’re welcome. It was my pleasure. I’m glad that you and your family enjoyed it.”

I turn to look at Griffin, and he shrugs. “I’m not denying it.”

“All good, I hope,” I reply.

“Most definitely,” he assures me.

“It looks like you started without us,” Griffin says, eyeing the perfectly grilled steaks on the counter.

“I came downstairs, and you were both conked out, and we were starving. I figured as long as the steak was tender enough to cut with a fork, you would be okay with it,” his dad explains with a smile.

“I guess I’ll just have to cook for you next time,” Griffin says to me.

Next time. I have tonight and tomorrow with him, and after that, I don’t know when the next time will be. That causes my chest to tighten. “Everything looks great. Thank you for having me,” I say, pushing the words past the lump slowly forming in the back of my throat.

“Grab a plate,” Gary says, pointing at the stack. “It’s hot as hell outside, but we can eat out there or in here,” he tells us.

“I vote for the air-conditioning,” Griffin speaks up.

“Oh, thank God.” Anna sighs, and we all laugh.

After filling our plates with steak, baked potatoes, and salad, we head to the dining room. “What do you want to drink?” Griffin asks. He rattles off a whole list of options.

“Lemonade, please.”

“Coming right up.” He bends to kiss the top of my head and leaves me alone with his mom while he goes to help his dad gather drinks.

“Wow.” She smiles. “I’ve never seen him like this. It’s nice,” Anna confesses.

“Like what?” I have a pretty good idea of what she’s going to say, but a part of me wants to hear her say it. Maybe I need it just as much as I want it. He’s asking for more, and I’m still trying to decide whether we should try to make a go of this. I want to, but the distance holds me back.

“He’s never brought a girl home. Not just for him, that is. We’ve had get-togethers, and some of his classmates and friends bring girls, but never Griffin. He’s very… selective,” she says with a smile.

“We have that in common. It’s hard to find someone interested in me and not my family,” I say as Griffin and his dad come back into the room.

“Your dad plays baseball professionally, right?” Anna asks.

“He did. He’s retired now. However, my brother-in-law plays, and my middle sister, Parker, her future husband plays as well.”

“Wow.” She smiles. “You’re definitely a baseball family.”

“Peyton plays softball. Her sisters did too,” Griffin says, cutting into his steak with his fork. “It’s nice to talk to a girl who’s not trying to seduce me and can actually hold a conversation. And it’s mass bonus points that she knows the game.” He turns to look at me and nods to his fork that’s holding a piece of steak that he cut off with it. “You ready?” he asks.

Playfully, I roll my eyes and pick up my fork. I cut off a piece without a knife and hold it up to him. “Here goes nothing.” I take the bite and chew. The flavor explodes on my tongue, and the meat is tender. “So good,” I say, smiling. “That’s a first for me. Usually, I feel like I’m chewing on a piece of rubber when I eat steak.”

“You must not have a good steak house in Tennessee,” Gary says.

“We do, but I stopped ordering it a long time ago. I always just order chicken,” I confess.

“Now you’ve got us,” Griffin says.

My heart smiles and weeps at the same time. I have him for the rest of today and tomorrow, but then what? How can the idea of leaving someone I’ve known a handful of days make my heart hurt the way that it does?

The rest of dinner goes smoothly. Griffin’s parents are nice, and I can tell how close the three of them are by their teasing and banter. It reminds me of my family. It’s growing every day, adding Cameron, Jett, and the new baby, as well as Holden. It’s always a good time when we’re together. I can see Griffin there with us. He’s already proven he can fit in with our crowd.

Once my dad comes to terms with the fact that Griffin’s in my life, I know he will love him too. Cam and Holden, and even Uncle Drew, took to him easily enough. Parker’s on board. She texted me as soon as we left the restaurant, telling me he has her stamp of approval.

“Thank you for dinner,” I tell them as Griffin and his dad stand to clear our plates. I stand to help him, but his mom waves for me to sit.