Pieces Of Us (Angel Sands 6)

“I didn’t know either.” She let out a sigh. “I’m sorry… I should have…” her voice trailed off. What should she have done? She had no idea. All she knew was she hated the way he was looking at her.

Like he was angry and hurt and every emotion in between.

She was acutely aware of how alcohol and boats didn’t mix. It made the hackles on her neck rise up. “Come on,” she said again, reaching for his arm. “Let’s go.”

“What is it with women and my arm,” he muttered, pulling away from her. “You chicks have a thing about it.”

“Chicks?” She straightened her spine. “Seriously?” Damn, he was aggravating. “Maybe it’s you who’s got the problem. If you just came with me when I asked, I wouldn’t have to drag you.”

“I’ve come with you enough.” His voice was low. “Every night for the past few weeks. Remember all the times I held you in my arms afterward? All those long conversations about my family and your divorce? I don’t remember you once mentioning you only bought the pier because you were drunk.”

“Why should I mention it? It’s not a big deal.”

“It’s big enough for your ex to know about it.”

She took a deep breath. “What did Josh say?”

Griff looked down at his drink, staring at it as though it had all the answers. “It doesn’t matter,” he muttered, then lifted the glass to his mouth.

“It obviously does,” she whispered as he swallowed another mouthful. “I know he told you about me buying the pier when I was drunk. What else?”

“There’s more?” Griff shook his head. “What, did you buy the Empire State Building, too? What else does Josh and your sister know that I don’t?”

“Nothing! And Lydia’s my family. Of course I’m going to tell her everything.”

“Because family’s more important than anything else, right? More important than me.” His words were becoming more slurred.

“I didn’t say that.”

“You didn’t need to.” He tipped his head back and finished the whiskey, slamming the glass on the bench. “I get it. Your family matters to you. More than I do.” He stood, and she was hyper aware of his height. He wasn’t steady on his feet like he usually was. One tumble and he could hurt himself. “Maybe that’s why Josh and your Dad have no idea I even exist. I’m nothing to you, am I? Less important than this damn pier.”

“You should go home,” she told him. “Sleep it off. Before you do something you regret.”

He looked her in the eye, and it made her heart jolt. There was nothing there. No kindness, no understanding. Just blankness, like he’d closed down the shutters and left his body to do the work.

“You want me to leave?” His voice was icy.

“Yes… no… I just don’t want us to be talking like this while you’re drunk. And on a boat, too. You know how dangerous the ocean can be.”

“Did you throw your dad off the pier?” he asked her. “How about Josh, is he gone?”

“No I didn’t. And I’ve no idea where Josh is.”

“I guess I know where I stand. Below your family, below your ex.” He gave her another sickly smile. “Sorry if I’m messing with your style, Miss Paxton.”

“I never said that.”

“Nope. But I can see it in your eyes. What was I, a distraction? A bit of rough for the rich girl?” He raked his hand through his hair, and it made him stumble to his left.

“Don’t bother answering,” he muttered. “I’m leaving.” He stepped forward, this time not meeting Autumn’s gaze.

“I’ll call you later,” she whispered.

“Don’t bother. You’ll be too busy with your family. And your ex, no doubt.” He blinked.

She tried to take a breath, but her chest felt too tight. “So what happens next?” she whispered.

He shrugged, his dark eyes finally meeting hers. “Nothing,” he whispered. “Nothing happens. I’ll go home, have another drink, and remember why I don’t do relationships. Because they fucking suck.”