Total pages in book: 88
Estimated words: 84227 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 421(@200wpm)___ 337(@250wpm)___ 281(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 84227 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 421(@200wpm)___ 337(@250wpm)___ 281(@300wpm)
Griff ignored what I’d said. “That’s all fine and dandy, but what about the photos? I’m real glad you two seem happy and all, but I think we’re forgetting a really fucking big piece of it.”
“I have some ideas,” I said through gritted teeth. I also realized my lip hurt and it was likely a little swollen. “I need to head to the station and check on some things—hell, talk to the chief, about the photos too.”
“Yeah,” Kellan added. “I should probably make some phone calls as well, try and do damage control.” It would be a mess for Kellan. I knew that. It didn’t matter that it was a moment between consenting adults; people would make a big deal of it.
“I’ll go with you,” Griff told Kellan.
“I don’t need you to babysit me,” Kellan countered.
I wanted Griff to go with him so bad, it hurt, but I also knew if Kell and I were going to have a chance, I had to trust him. “He’s right, Griff. He can take care of himself.” My eyes found Kellan. “I know you don’t need me or him or anyone else, but please keep in mind that we don’t know who did this. Someone was watching us together last night, Kell. We don’t know what they want or if they have something else planned. I need you to be safe. You…you mean too much to me.”
He gave me a sad smile, then looked at Griff. “Sure, I wouldn’t mind some company.” I knew why he was doing it. Yeah, part of it was to make us feel better, but I also knew Kellan well enough to know he was trying to build a bridge between us and Griffin. There was no doubt this had to feel like the biggest betrayal to Griff, and Kell wasn’t going to leave him out to dry. “Let me go get my stuff,” Kellan added, then disappeared down the hall toward my room.
“I really am sorry, Griff. You gotta know that. There’s just…something about him. I think there always has been, but the timing wasn’t right or he was too young. He makes me feel good in a way nothing else does. Makes me feel happy, complete.” Like maybe I deserved a little more than I always thought I did.
“Maybe next time you cuff him, you can take the time to close the blinds first,” he said with a finality to his voice that reminded me he truly would need time. He would stick by us and do anything to help, because that was who Griffin was. He was loyal to the bone, but he was hurt, and he had a right to be.
Kellan came out with his shirt on and his cell in his hand. His skin was pale, almost like he was going to pass out. “I have about a hundred missed calls. Some from Josh and Nat, but there are a lot from the parents of my students too.”
Fuck. It was starting already. “I’ll fix it, okay? I’ll do my best to fix it.” I pressed a quick kiss to his lips, and yep, mine was definitely swollen.
“It’s not your job to fix it, but thank you.”
Actually, it was my job to fix it, literally, but I didn’t tell him that.
Griff walked out without a word, leaving the door open.
“He’ll come around,” Kellan said. “He loves you.”
I sure as shit hoped so because being friends with Griffin was the first time I’d ever felt loved. The second was from Kellan.
“I love you,” he said.
“I love you too.”
Kellan gave me another sad smile, and then he was gone as well.
It took every ounce of self-control not to lose it. Not to try and tear the whole motherfucking world down. Someone had been watching us, taking photos of us, trying to hurt us. Trying to hurt Kellan.
The first two people who popped into my head were Buck and my dad. But I also knew I had to get my ass to the station before I did anything else.
It felt strange driving through Havenwood, seeing people and wondering if they knew; if they had seen the photograph of Kellan and me. What were they thinking? My jaw tightened as I gripped the steering wheel.
The second I walked into the station, all eyes were on me—some in support, some in disapproval, and some in shock. Officer Winthorp squeezed my shoulder in support. “Sorry ’bout what happened, kid. Chief Potter wants to see you.”
“Thanks.” I wanted to see him too. I sure as shit wasn’t letting this go. We needed to figure out who had been watching us.
I knocked, even though the door was open. “Chief…”
“Close the door, Hawthorne,” he said, and I did.
“Do you know who did it?” he asked as I sat in the chair on the other side of the desk.