“Yep. Parker even sent me the video,” I tell him.
“I just have a hard time with my girls growing up. As the youngest, you’re my baby, and I thought I had more time before someone took you away from me.”
“He’s not taking me away, Dad.”
“I know that too.” He grins. “But I liked being the only man in your life. All of your lives, and I know that this is the progression of life, but I don’t have to like it.”
“You’ve adjusted well with Cameron and even Holden. Just wait. In a few years, you’ll have a house full of grandkids to spoil, and you’ll be glad we all found men who will love us the way that you love Mom.”
“Do you love him, lady?”
“I do. He doesn’t know that yet, but I do.”
He nods. “Then you have to follow your heart, but he needs to remember that I loved you first.”
“You can tell him that when you see him.”
“I think I will.” He laughs. “Come on, let’s go say hi to your mom.” He stands and offers me his hand to help me off the couch. I fold the blanket I was using and clean up my mess before following him upstairs to see my mom before heading back to my apartment.
“You killed it!” I tell Griffin a couple of hours later on the phone.
“Thanks, babe.”
“I saw that interview too.” I toss that out there.
“I was hoping you would.”
“I’m excited that I get to come and see you this weekend. My game should be over around three on Friday, and my flight leaves at six.”
“Are you sad the season is over?”
“Yes and no. I hate that we lost more than we won, but we’re a young team.”
“You’ll get them next year.”
“Maybe. Maybe not. It doesn’t hold the strong appeal as it did when I was younger. I love it, don’t get me wrong, and the sport will always be in my blood, but I have no plans to pursue it after college.”
“You’re close to the team, though, right?”
“Kind of. They all know my family, or who my family is rather. They’re all fake as hell, if I’m being honest. I hate that. I just want to be me.”
“I’m sorry.”
“It is what it is. But you. You and your team are kicking ass. I’m excited to get to see you play.”
“Me too. Although, I just hope I can focus knowing you’re in the stands watching.” He chuckles. “Did Karina decide if she’s coming with you?”
“She’s not. Not this time. She said she doesn’t want to be the third wheel.”
“Ollie will be around. You know he’s into her, right?”
“Oh, I know. She’s into him too, but neither of them has confessed yet.”
“I’ll have to tell him he needs to put it out there.”
“They’ll figure it out. We did.”
“I guess you’re right,” he agrees.
“Why do three weeks seem longer than five?” I ask him.
“I miss you too,” he replies.
“You sound beat.”
“I am, but I want to watch a movie with you.”
“We don’t have to. Get some rest. You pitched one hell of a game and with no relief. I know you’re exhausted.”
“Peyton, yes, I’m tired, but baby, I’m never too tired to spend time with you,” he says over a yawn.
“Good night, Griffin,” I say sweetly. “Just two more days and I’m hopping on a plane to see you. I need to pack anyway.”
“Okay. I can’t wait to see you.”
“Me too. Night.”
“Night.”
Ending the call, I get to work packing my bag. I’m skipping classes on Monday and Tuesday to stay and watch his game. It’s the first one I’ll be able to watch in person. Then I’ll fly home on Tuesday late afternoon. My grades are good, and I’m bringing what I need to study while I’m there for my finals in two weeks. I’ll get to spend three full days with him, other than when he’s at practice, and I can’t wait. Saturday night is his parents’ wedding anniversary, and we’re taking them to dinner. Other than that, he’s all mine.
“You about ready to head out?” I ask Karina. It’s Friday morning, and we’re heading to our game. It’s rare that we have games on Friday, but this is the last game of the season, and it’s almost as if it was added to the schedule as an afterthought.
“Yes. Five minutes,” she calls back as there’s a knock on the door.
“Are you expecting anyone?” I ask, walking past her room to get to the door.
“No. Why? Is someone here?”
“Yeah, well, I think so.” I laugh. “I’m pretty sure I heard a knock.” Pulling open the door, I stand frozen. “Am I dreaming?”
Griffin laughs. “You’re not dreaming.”
That pulls me out of my trance, and I rush him, jumping into his arms. He catches me with ease, just like I knew he would.
“Don’t mind me,” Oliver jokes.