Working On Love (The Griffin Brothers Book 6)

by Crystal Perkins

  I found a totally hot dress to wear. It’s black and white with all these straps over it. It has a deep V-neck and a really short skirt. I also have on black heels with cool beading on the front. My uncles will freak, but I don’t care. I wanted to look sexy. Not that anyone will notice. And by anyone, yes, I do mean Miles. I didn’t see him at all the last couple of days. I heard someone saying he took a couple of days off. So he may not even be here, anyway.

  When I go outside, I see that people have started arriving already. It’s only my family and a few friends from school. I don’t need anything fancy. I’m hanging out with my aunts when the foundation girls arrive. The whole backyard goes quiet. It’s a pretty intimidating sight—ten runway worthy women all together at once—but they ignore the stares and head straight to me. I hug them all, thanking them for coming. We push some tables around so we can all sit together. My uncles try to sit with us, too, but their wives shoo them away.

  I’m having a lot of fun hanging out with everyone when I see Reina stiffen. She puts a smile on her face as I hear Jane say my name. I turn to see her standing behind me, flanked by Matt and Miles. I’m startled to see that Miles has a black eye and a cut that’s healing on his cheek. He’s smiling at me, which is even weirder.

  “Hey, Alex. Happy Birthday,” Matt tells me as he gives me a hug.

  “Thanks, Matt.”

  Miles leans close to me as my eyes go wide. “You look beautiful, Xandy,” he says as he kisses my cheek.

  “Th-thanks.” He just called my Xandy. That was his name for me when I was thirteen. I feel like I can’t breathe. How can I breathe?

  “C’mon boys, let’s leave Alex to her girl talk. We’ll see you in a little while.”

  Jane hugs me and then walks away. Her grandsons follow along, but Miles turns at the last second and comes back over to where I’m still standing.

  “Can we talk later? I really want to talk to you. And give you your presents.”

  “You want to talk to me?”

  “Yeah. Please.”

  “Okay. But I said no presents.”

  “I know. I donated to charity like you asked, but I couldn’t resist getting you some things, too.”

  “Oh. Umm, thanks.”

  “You’re very welcome. I better go, before Gram comes for me. Later though, right?”

  “Yes. Later.”

  He smiles at me and turns to go. I feel like I’m in some alternate universe, or back to the summer when I was thirteen. Miles is being nice to me and called me by his special name for me. Could this night get any weirder? I shake my head and then turn to sit with the girls again.

  “Was Miles actually being nice?” Stella asks me.

  “Umm, yeah.”

  “Whoa.”

  “Don’t be like that, please. Miles is one of my best friends.” Quinn looks really angry.

  “He’s always nice to me, too,” Ainsley says.

  “Well, that’s because you two didn’t sleep with him.”

  “That’s enough, Tegan,” Reina tells her, looking at me with concern.

  I know I’ve gone pale. I could feel the blood rush from my face. I really need to deal with this better. He’s not going to stop sleeping around, and I’m not going to stop hearing about it. I’m trying to think of a way to respond, when all of a sudden Miles is kneeling next to my chair, looking really worried.

  “Are you okay? You got so pale all of a sudden.”

  “I’m always pale. And where did you come from so fast?”

  “I was over there when I saw you go pale, and I ran back over. Despite what you just said, you’re not always this shade. What’s wrong?”

  “It’s nothing I didn’t know already Miles.”

  He looks confused for a few seconds, but then he gets it. He closes his eyes, clenches his jaw, and drops his head. “Can we talk now? I know it’s your party, but I won’t take long. It’s just really important that I talk to you.”

  “Okay.”

  I know I should be hanging out with the people at my party, but Miles looks so serious. I want to know what caused him to be nice to me all of a sudden. His smile is back, and he takes my hand as he stands, pulling me to my feet. He doesn’t let go of my hand as we walk towards the house.

  We’ve only taken a few steps when Nick walks into the backyard. His face is a mess and his arm is in a sling. There are police officers with him and they’re walking towards us. Well, Nick is more limping towards us.

  “Shit. Whatever happens, Xandy, just know I love you.”

  “What? Miles?” He loves me?

  He doesn’t have time to answer. “That’s him. The guy who attacked me for no reason.”

  “I had…”

  “Shut up, Miles. Don’t say another word,” Jane says.

  “Aww how cute. Letting an old lady tell you what to do.”

  Miles is gripping my hand so tight, I think it could break. “You need to leave, Nick. I told you not to come tonight. That it was over.”

  “I was surprised until your new fuck here came to see me. You should’ve been thanking me, man. I mean, I taught her everything she knows. If you’d waited until after tonight, she would’ve been even more fun. You have no idea what I had planned.”

  “Fucking bastard,” Miles says as he lets go of me and lunges for Nick.

  Matt grabs him and holds him tight. He’s still struggling when one of the policeman steps forward. “Calm down, bro. Don’t make it any worse with the cops here.”

  “I’m actually sorry to do this, but I have to take you in.”

  Miles stops struggling and stands still while he’s read his rights and handcuffed. I know tears are running down my face, but I don’t care. Miles beat up Nick. He knows. I know he does. I’m so mortified. And scared for Miles. I don’t want him going to jail for me.

  “No. Please. This is my fault. Don’t arrest him.”

  “I could be persuaded to drop the charges, Alex.”

  “Fuck no!” Miles starts struggling, trying to get to Nick.

  My uncles get in between them, forming a wall as they glare at my ex. He shrinks back a little. Individually, they can be scary when they want to be. Together? Yeah, not a good idea to piss them off.

  “I don’t know what’s going on, but if you did something to Alex, you’re going to be dealing with all of us.”

  “He threatened me. You heard him. Ryan Griffin threatened me.”

  “My son didn’t threaten you. He just let you know that we won’t let you harm Alex.” My grandpa turns to the police. “Do you have another set of handcuffs? This young man is trespassing, and I’d like him arrested.”

  “They can’t arrest me.”

  “Actually, we can. If you weren’t invited to this party, you are trespassing.”

  “What? Come on. I had to find him. I knew he’d be here.”

  “You’ve interrupted a private function in my home and have apparently done something to my granddaughter. I’m pressing charges.”

  I see Nick start to panic. Nothing is more important to him than his image. To be arrested for trespassing at my grandparents’ house would be bad for him. Really bad.

  “Don’t press charges against Miles and my grandfather won’t have you arrested.”

  “You little bitch.”

  “You obviously have a death wish, asshole,” Matt tells him.

  Nick looks to where my uncles are glaring at him, barely controlled rage evident on their faces. Miles is still struggling to get free, too. Plus, all the women are now behind me and I’m pretty sure they have murder on their minds and faces as well. I can see the moment when he knows he’s been beat.

  “Let him go. I’m not pressing charges.”

  “Do you still want to press charges, Mr. Griffin?”

  “As long as he leaves now, no.”

  * * *

  Miles

  Well, that was not what I was hoping to have happen tonight. I was almost arrested because of that little asshole. Yeah, I fucked him up
. But we both know he deserved it. He’s lucky he’s still breathing. I let him live because I didn’t want to go to jail. What kind of man has someone arrested for a beat down?

  I don’t have time to dwell on that as Gary thanks everyone for coming and asks everyone but family to leave. My family stays since it’s obvious I’m involved somehow, but everyone else goes. Shit. I just realized that no one even sang “Happy Birthday” to Alex. I’ll make it up to her somehow.

  We all go inside and sit on couches in their family room. I want to sit next to Alex, but there’s not a spot next to her, so I sit with Matt and my gram. I try to catch her eye, though, but she won’t look at me. My heart sinks as I realize I was right. She doesn’t care that I told her I love her. She hates me too much. Damn Quinn for making me think I had a chance.

  “Alex, we need to know what’s going on.”

  “I can’t tell you. I can’t. It’s too embarrassing, Grandpa.”

  “I’m going to speak for everyone here. We love you. Nothing you tell us is going to change that. If Miles beat Nick up for something he did to you, then it had to be pretty bad. I am a little surprised that you told him, though. I know the two of you were close when you used to spend the summers with him in Florida, but I didn’t think you still were.”

  “We’re not. I-I didn’t tell him anything.”

  “I told him.”

  “Quinn, why?”

  “It’s not my place to tell you, Alex.”

  “I already told her, but it didn’t mean anything.” I can’t keep the bitterness out of my voice.

  “You told me?”

  She doesn’t remember that I told her I love her? It wasn’t even a half hour ago. I can’t stay here with her any longer. She doesn’t care.

  “I need to leave. I’ll see you all later.”

  I get up to go, but Quinn’s voice stops me. “Don’t Miles. Don’t do this.”

  “Do what?”

  “We both know where you’re going. Don’t.”

  “It’s pretty clear that there’s nothing else for me. I’ll call you tomorrow. Unless I’m still busy.”

  My grandmother’s voice stops me before I get too far. “Wait for me outside if you don’t want to be in here, but please don’t leave. I’d like to speak to you.”

  “Can’t it wait, Gram?”

  “No.”

  “Fine. Whatever. I’ll be in the backyard.”

  Where there’s alcohol. Which sounds great, although then I can’t drive. Honestly, that’s probably a good thing. I shouldn’t be going out when I feel like I do. Especially not to The Green Door. I need to be on top of my game for that place. So, alcohol it is.

  * * *

  Alex

  Miles has barely walked out the door when Quinn’s in front of me, looking like she wants to kill me. “Go out there and talk to him.”

  “She needs to talk to us, Quinn. Then, if she wants to, she can talk to Miles.”

  “No, Maggie. We could be here all night because she’s embarrassed. Miles won’t be able to wait. He’s already close to the edge. I can tell you what happened while she talks to him.”

  “If she wants to.”

  “No, Yasmin. There’s no ‘if.’ He’s the way he is because of her, and she needs to go talk him down from the ledge. She’s the only one who can.”

  “What? You think Miles sleeps with anything that walks because of me?”

  “I know he does.”

  “You’re serious.”

  “As a fucking heart attack. Please go talk to him. I don’t want to see him self-destruct.”

  The anger has been replaced by anguish on her face. I know she’s really close to Miles, and if she thinks I can help him, then I need to try. He did beat up Nick. And he told me he loves me. Even if I don’t believe it. I get up and go outside, ignoring the shocked looks on everyone’s faces.

  When I walk out, I see him by the bar. The bartender is packing things up, but he’s given Miles a glass and a bottle of whiskey. He doesn’t see me walk up until I’m right in front of him. I get a crooked smile before he takes another shot.

  “That was fast. I’m surprised they let you out after you told them. Or are you out here for some liquid courage, little girl? I’d share, but I was already almost arrested once tonight.”

  “I came out here because Quinn said she was afraid for you and that I was the only one who could help you.”

  “Ah, Quinn. Of course. She’s always got my back. Even when I don’t want her help.”

  He fills the glass again, but I place my hand over his and pull him away from the bar to sit with me at one of the tables. “Why am I the only one who can help you?”

  “I already told you, and just like I thought, it didn’t mean anything to you.”

  “What are you talking about, Miles? I’m not a mind-reader.”

  He swallows hard, and I’m shocked to see tears in his eyes. “I told you I love you, Xandy.”

  “You just said that in the heat of the moment. You didn’t mean it. You can’t.”

  “Go back inside and get on with your life. Find another prick who doesn’t appreciate you. Just leave me the fuck alone.”

  Oh my God. I think he meant it. He loves me. And I just fucked it up and hurt him. I have to fix this. I do the only thing I can think of. I lean over and kiss him.

  He’s still for a minute, as I brush my lips over his again and again. I’m starting to think I was wrong and pull back a little, waiting. My eyes are still closed when he gives me a small kiss on the edge of my mouth. He kisses the other side and then starts to run his tongue around my lips. I open my mouth, but he lifts his finger to my chin and pushes up, closing it.

  “Not yet. I’ve dreamt about these lips for six years. I want to taste them first.”

  I want to ask him what he means by that, but I want his lips on me even more. So I keep my mouth shut, both literally and figuratively, as he continues his exploration. Once he’s done licking every inch of my lips, he starts placing little kisses all over them. I moan. I can’t help it. I’ve never been kissed like this. Like he’s worshipping my mouth. I feel him smile against my mouth, right before he bites me lightly on the plumpest part of my lip.

  I can’t help it. I grab the back of his head and pull him to me hard. I attack his mouth, and he lets me. Correction. He attacks me back. His fingers are in my fancy up-do, and mine are pulling on his hair where it’s long on top. I’ve never kissed someone this way, because I’ve never felt this way before. I can’t get close enough to him, even as I climb onto his lap.

  He breaks the kiss suddenly. I don’t know why. I could feel him harden against me. “What’s wrong, Miles? Did I do something wrong?”

  “No. You’re perfect. But we’re not alone.”

  “Oh.”

  I know my cheeks are red as I start to stand up without flashing anyone. Miles grabs me and turns me sideways on his lap, smoothing my dress over my legs. The he wraps his arms around me and nuzzles my neck.

  “Don’t go. Not when I finally have you in my arms.”

  “You could have any woman in your arms, Miles.” And he has.

  “I don’t want anyone else.”

  I push off him, and he lets me go. Just like I knew he would. “C’mon, Miles. I’m not blind or stupid. You’ve been with women. Probably at least one every night. Including some of my friends.”

  I’m so dumb. Why did I kiss him? I know it meant nothing to him. I mean nothing to him. Why did I think it was more? I feel tears in my eyes and try to blink them back as I walk away. I don’t get far, before he’s grabbing me and turning me back towards him.

  “Yes. I’m not going to lie to you. I’ve been with at least one woman a night for the last six years. And yes, some of them were foundation girls. But I haven’t been with anyone since I saw you that first day in the office.”

  “You haven’t? Really?”

  “Really.” He reaches out to cup my cheek. “I was only ever with other women because I thought I
could never have you. I knew I’d never love anyone like I love you, so I didn’t want to have a relationship. Meaningless fucks were enough to keep me happy. Or that’s what I thought until I saw you at Luke and Olivia’s renewal ceremony. I knew then that I would never be happy without you.”

  “You acted like you still hated me. And you didn’t stop with women then.”

  “I never hated you. Never. God, I can’t believe I made you think that. Yes, I kept sleeping around. But only because I still didn’t think I could have you.”

  I have to ask the question. It’s the one that’s haunted me for six years. “Why did you leave and never speak to me, if you didn’t hate me?”

  Chapter 4

  Miles

  I knew I’d have to tell her. I want to tell her. I was just hoping we could do it in private. There are too many people here in the backyard, cleaning up. If I try to take her in the house, we’ll be stopped. I look around and then see my answer.

  “Can we go in the guest house?”

  “Yeah. If you want.”

  “I just want to be alone when we talk.”

  “Okay.”

  She starts to walk away, but I stop her. “Let’s grab some desserts. I ruined your party, and no one sang to you.”

  “I don’t need to be sung to. And you didn’t ruin my party.”

  “I still want some desserts. The Drago Sisters really outdid themselves.”

  “They did. And I want dessert, too.”

  “Wait here.”

  I jog over and grab one of the dinner plates from the buffet area. When I come back over with it, Alex bursts out laughing. “You really are hungry,”

  “I thought we could fill it up and share, brat.”

  Her face falls and she looks away. “Why do you always do that? Bring up how much younger I am?”

  “Defense mechanism.”

  “What?”