Three Rivers (A Gateway to Love Novel)

by Barlow, Chloe T.

  "But she let's that guy David hang around right? I mean she acted like he was family."

  "David? Oh God, that's because he is like family. We would never think of each other that way. He was like a father to Jack after his own dad died. Carol likes to have him around for that reason."

  "You're allowed to have fun, though, right?" Griffen asked.

  "That's what the girls say. But even if last night was fun," she rolled her eyes at the cocky grin that appeared on his face. "That wasn't really the point."

  "The point?"

  "Ugh." Dammit. What am I going to do? "The girls dragged me out last night as a sort of desperate attempt to make me take some baby steps back into the dating pool. You know, for one night." Althea felt like her blush was blushing. This is horrific.

  "One night...?"

  "Argh," she looked away. "I was supposed to never see you again. There, are you happy now?"

  "So you just used me for sex?" he asked with a grin. "Can't say that I blame you. I think you made an excellent choice."

  "Your ego is unbelievable!"

  "Among other things," he winked lasciviously. At her epic eye roll he cleared his throat and made a serious face. "Okay, I'll try to behave."

  Griffen ran the knife through the cake again, creating more precise squares. Althea stared at his hands as he wiped the knife clean on a paper towel between each swipe to ensure the most perfect pieces.

  "But the girls are right, I do need to have some kind of sex life before I go insane," she said softly.

  "So, let me get this straight, are you planning on using anyone else's body in the future?"

  "No! I mean, yes. Maybe," she said a little more loudly than she intended.

  "And do you have an end game after a lot of meaningless sex?"

  "Hey, it's not like that. It's just that sex without any relationship seems like a compromise — having some bit of a life of my own without the risk of someone expecting something I can't imagine I'll ever be able to give."

  "What can't you give?"

  "Jeez, getting personal enough?"

  "Althea, we've been very personal with each other. I want to know more about you. Period."

  She narrowed her eyes and when he wouldn't look away she huffed out, "Fine. Point is I can't ever love anyone again. Jack was my one true love. Anyone I would be with would need to understand that, so it's just been better to be alone. But now, the girls are pushing me to have a little fun, thinking maybe down the road I'll be ready for a nice guy who can settle for what little I can give."

  "Well, after hearing all this, I have to say I'm pretty proud of myself about being your first baby step." He grinned at her exasperated expression. "You should take it easy with those eye rolls gorgeous, you'll give yourself a headache."

  "Then take it easy with the ego, stud," she added with a raised eyebrow.

  "I can't help it if I was born with a healthy dose of self confidence, gorgeous. But, seriously, I can't imagine how you've gone that long, I mean, you're really fucking beautiful."

  "Language! This is a five year old kid’s birthday you are crashing, after all."

  She shout-whispered the admonition, but she couldn't help but smile at the compliment.

  He put down the knife. "Hey, I'm not a party crasher, Carol asked my mom to bring me. Carol's always loved me," he said with a wink.

  "I'll say! Your arrival had her worked up into a full blown tizzy."

  "A tizzy you say? I like the sound of that. Do I work you into a tizzy?" When she responded with nothing but another eye roll, Griffen smiled and said with a wave to his handiwork, "I have made myself helpful by slicing this problematic cake for you and did a wonderful job of it, if I do say so myself."

  "I'm relieved to see you're capable of such complex menial cake labor, professor."

  "So you can't be too mad about me showing up, can you?"

  "Of course I'm not mad — just shocked. Like I said, seeing you walk in..."

  "And now that you're less shocked?"

  "Well, um, I guess it wasn't wholly unpleasant to see you again."

  "Oh boy, all this flattery is going to go to my head! What if I said I was sad to wake up and see you were gone and that I was pleasantly shocked to see you here?"

  "Why don't you do me a favor and focus on plating those sugar bombs for me instead?"

  "Of course." Althea stood and started to walk away, but paused when he said, "Althea." She turned and was hit again by a wall of lust when he focused his full attention on her. "I'd like to do a lot of favors for you."

  She blanched for just a moment, working to recover her self-control, "Let's start with the cake for now, stud." With that, she walked away, feeling him follow her with his eyes as she left him to plate the pieces of cake in uneasy silence.

  CHAPTER SIX

  Griffen hugged his mother as she gathered her things to leave. "You can go on without me Mom. I'll get a cab."

  He saw her eyes turn meaningfully to Althea, who looked stunning simply collecting plates from the kids' table. His mouth still went dry just from looking at her.

  "Honey, what are you up to?" she asked warily.

  "Johnny needs some throwing lessons. I figure I'll stay and show him some of my old tricks. Even tight ends know a thing or two, right?"

  "Uh-huh. And are any of those old tricks one you would use on a certain lovely widow?"

  "Mom, how could you suggest such a thing, it's like you don't even know me!" he said with no ability to hide the smile quirking at the corners of his lips.

  "I know you perfectly, that's why I ask the question. Just be careful, okay? From everything Carol tells me about Tea, she's nothing like the other kinds of, er, 'ladies' you get involved with." She made rabbit ears around the word ladies and Griffen had to wince. "Plus, Carol says she's still grieving Jack. Doesn't that feel weird to you?"

  Honestly, he didn't know how he felt about her being Jack's widow. The idea of touching Jack's woman should make him feel terrible and in a way it did. But it also made her seem that much more precious. Like he needed to take care of her. Make sure she was happy, because he knew Jack would want her happy.

  He was also sure he hated the idea of her going out and having random sex with guys that won't appreciate her or may not treat her right. The irony wasn't lost on him that he was the first to benefit from her crazy baby steps plan. He wanted to intervene somehow and make sure she was able to experience the fun she so obviously craved and make it through this phase without getting hurt.

  When suddenly it hit him — maybe I can be some baby steps for her? I mean the last thing anyone as good as her needs is a relationship with me, but that's not what she wants. And I'm leaving, she can enjoy the time without worry.

  Griffen was no fool, he knew he had nothing emotionally to offer a woman as great as her — but sex and confidence-building fun? That he could do.

  And there was another benefit to being around her. This woman was a window to all the years Jack was alive that Griffen was out doing his own thing, he missed his friend and he had made the mistake of just assuming Jack would always be there for him.

  Could she give me a piece of my friend back, and with that, maybe some of my soul?

  "Mom, that's all the more reason she could use a friend like me. And as for the kinds of 'ladies' I get involved with," he added. "I don't know, maybe I'm due for some changes. Maybe a real 'lady' could be good for me."

  "Just be careful."

  "I don't plan to hurt her, if that's what you're thinking."

  "Her feelings aren't the only ones I am worried about. Oh well, let me gather my bag of cookies and head out. You know where to find me. I love you. I just hope you know what you're doing."

  Me too, he thought.

  "Love you too, Mom." She kissed his cheek and walked away. He immediately went back to looking at Althea, cooking up a very pleasant proposal in his brain.

  Griffen shook his head and
jogged over to Johnny who was on the ground wrestling with four of his buddies, a junior sized football lying desolately on the ground next to them.

  "Hey guys! My name's Griffen. How would you like to learn some things you can do in your next football game?"

  "Sure!" they all yelled.

  "All right, huddle up here with me. I know Johnny is quarterback, let's go through everybody else's positions and have some fun!"

  What Griffen hadn't anticipated was how much fun he would have. Johnny was the spitting image of Jack as a kid and had the same innate talent and clever mind. The other boys seemed to naturally idolize him, including Chris, his dark-haired, blue-eyed best friend. The sight of them together twisted Griffen's chest in a vice, but once that initial pain passed, it seemed to bring him the oddest sense of peace.

  Griffen had just taught them a simple passing play, one of the first he'd ever learned, when Carol joined him. "How are you Griffen?"

  "Getting used to calling me Griffen, huh?"

  "Getting there. I can't say that I blame you. You know I understand as well as anyone how you wouldn't want to share a name with that son of a bitch father of yours. Pardon my French."

  "No problem at all. Actually I think that is how his name is pronounced in French."

  Carol laughed and hugged him. "You’ve always made me laugh. So, are you enjoying a little football?"

  "The kids are so much fun, and they seem to really like playing on a team."

  "I bet that brings back memories, huh?" she asked softly.

  Griffen's throat tightened a little. "Yeah," he whispered. She cleared her throat as Griffen rubbed his eyes and looked away.

  "Well, their coach can use all the help he can get, he's in over his head. Never actually played the game. And just got a new job. I bet two weeks of you pitching in would do wonders."

  "Hmm, I like the way you think, Carol."

  Johnny connected on a short pass with Josh, a scrappy little running back and Griffen cheered as Josh kept on running. "Way to go guys, that was perfect! Now let's huddle up again and talk about how we can build on that."

  The boys ran up and Josh handed him the football. Griffen turned around, small football still in hand, and caught Althea watching him from the backdoor. She gave a small smile before she turned around and disappeared deeper into the kitchen. God, she was so gorgeous and so damn sweet. Just her smile made his head spin.

  "Uncle Gwiff, are you gonna thwow it or what?"

  Him calling him uncle made him so happy he almost dropped the ball. He'd fucked up royally with Jack, but maybe he could make the most of this time back home. He could build Althea's confidence, spend time with Jack's awesome son, and maybe, just maybe, not feel like hating himself every time the thought of Jack came up. He was no real good for anyone long term, but he didn't have to worry about that. He would be long gone in two weeks.

  "While we're young, Gwiff," Johnny demanded. I love this kid, he laughed to himself.

  "Coming right up, Johnny."

  Althea took a deep breath and willed her heart to stop pounding for the fiftieth time that day. It was almost over. Unfortunately, Griffen was making it take even longer, hanging out and playing football with the kids. Althea couldn't exactly be a grouch and make him leave. He was a huge hit and she didn't want to mess up Johnny's great day, so instead she could only stare in frustration.

  Why couldn't he have disappeared like he was supposed to? Why does he have to look so good crouching, running and passing a small football in my backyard?

  Before she could realize she was staring, and possibly drooling over his muscular arms, rippling under the short sleeves of his tight, navy blue T-shirt, he caught her eye and winked.

  "Hi Tea!"

  She grimaced and turned around at the jarring sound of Curt's voice coming from behind her. The handsome doctor was everything most women wanted but she had more than enough on her plate today.

  "Curt. Hi. Did you have fun? We were so glad you could make it."

  "You don't mind me being here? Jenna said it would be okay."

  "Of course! It's always great to see you." Althea felt eyes on her back and just knew they were Griffen's.

  "Great."

  "I have to head out soon, but what I asked about before, at lunch. What do you think?"

  "I'm sorry, can you remind me?" His face fell and she felt a pang of guilt.

  "About watching a movie together? Or we could go to dinner. Whatever you like."

  "Mommy, Mommy!"

  "Johnny what's wrong?"

  "I don't feel good. I need help."

  "It must be bad. You never ask for help."

  "Maybe I can help Johnny. I mean I am a doctor," Curt interrupted.

  Johnny glared at him with his chin thrust forward, "No. Not you. I want Mommy."

  "What hurts Johnny? Your tummy maybe?" Vivian came up behind Althea and asked pointedly.

  "Yeah. That's right Maw-Maw, it's my, uh, tummy."

  "Aw, you heard the kid, Curt," Althea's mother said with a lilting tone. "You're an ear, nose, and throat doc right? Looks like this is a case that requires a prescription of some mommy TLC. Why don't you come with me and tell me about your recent piece on peritonsillar abscesses? Jenna says it was, um...descriptive."

  "My pleasure, Viv," he said excitedly as they walked away. "You know, most people think abscesses are just..." Luckily his voice faded off before Althea had to hear more.

  "Mr. Personality, huh?" Althea breathed deeply at the sensation of Griffen's warm breath at her ear. She turned and raised an eyebrow at him. "Excuse me," he added with a smirk, "Doctor Personality."

  Althea looked down as Johnny whispered, "How'd I do Uncle Gwiff?"

  Griffen winced but said, "Great buddy. Why don't you run some plays with the guys while I talk to your mom?"

  Althea raised an eyebrow as Johnny ran off, "Enlisting my son to corner me. Isn't that pretty low?"

  "He was injured. That ass of a doctor was making him nauseous."

  "I'm going inside. You're unbelievable."

  "Thanks."

  "It wasn't a compliment, stud."

  "Hmm. Sounded like one to me." He grinned and she could tell he was thrilled to see her eyes widen and lips part despite her attempts at self-control. Dammit.

  "Besides, all's fair, right?" Griffen added.

  "Is this love or war?" she asked.

  "That's up to you. I just know I'm not giving up on getting you to stop avoiding me."

  "Humph," was all she could manage and then flounced off to the kitchen. She never flounced. This was getting serious.

  She wanted to be mad, that would make it easier, but then he ran back over to Johnny and bent down to correct Johnny's throwing technique so he could connect a perfect pass to Chris. The sheer joy on Johnny's face fed some deep emptiness and hurt inside her she didn't even know was there. She sighed.

  "I guess a little bit longer won't hurt," she said to no one in particular.

  As Althea turned and slowly walked into the kitchen she caught Jenna and Aubrey searching through images and articles on Google about Griffen with maddening speed. "Um, guys, could you please stop cyber-stalking the man long enough to help me get some food put away?"

  They simply ignored her.

  "That's where I know him from!" Jenna exclaimed. "I thought he looked familiar, but I figured it was because he had such an athletic build." Aubrey smirked at her. "Ease up, Brey — athletes’ bodies are my job." Aubrey smirked again and made some kind of dirty gesture with her mouth and hand that Althea was sure she couldn't do without dislocating a thumb. "Fixing their bodies. Jesus, Brey."

  "Calm down Jenna, I do believe you've gotten yourself quite worked up," Althea teased. "We know, you just doctor on them, you don't play doctor with them."

  "Shut up you two. Point is, I didn't realize he was Nicky Tate. He was a star tight end at Pitt when we were in college. But he just dropped out and disappe
ared."

  "Christ! He really is famous, Tea," Aubrey shrieked. "Look at all these red carpet shots. He's even on TMZ. Looks here like he only bangs models and movie stars."

  "'Bangs'? Real classy Brey," Jenna laughed.

  "Excuse me, 'makes looooove,'" Aubrey cooed sarcastically, rolling her eyes.

  "Okay, coming from you, that sounds even worse," Jenna cringed.

  "Whatever, Jenna. Point is, he only dates A-list hotties. And a lot of them. I don't see any relationships anywhere here. Not even any long hookups. Either way, mamacita, you are in some smoking hot company. Up top."

  Althea grimaced when Aubrey held up her hand for a high five.

  "Don't leave me hanging, Tea! You are right up there with some really famous honeys, like we didn't know that already."

  "Stop it you guys," Althea begged.

  "I agree. Althea is far more beautiful than any model or movie star. For the record." All three women turned around quickly at the sound of Griffen's masculine voice coming from seemingly out of nowhere.

  "Jesus!" Althea had been surreptitiously sneaking a peak at the laptop screen when Griffen had walked in and the shock of his voice made her jump. She watched in defeat as a dozen leftover brownies slid off their tray and fell to the floor, a thin layer of saran wrap preventing their total destruction. "Dammit. Griffen, you need to stop sneaking up on me," she said looking dejectedly at the chocolate mess at her feet.

  "But it's so much fun. Makes your eyes bright and your lovely cheeks flush." He stood very close and tilted her chin up to look down into her eyes. He glanced over at the laptop and turned back to Althea, his thumb stroking across her face. "Can't get enough of me, I see?"

  Althea huffed, thrusting her chin away from him. She slapped the plastic tray for the brownies down on the kitchen table a little too hard, "I was not checking up on you. These two deviants were. I couldn't care less."

  "Oh, come on, admit you were a little curious about me, I saw you peeking." He turned back and nodded toward Aubrey and Jenna, "Ladies, good to see you two again."

  "Oh yeah, good to see you," Jenna offered quickly. "Aubrey, do you remember that thing we need to get in the living room?"