Learning To Love (The Griffin Brothers Book 4)

by Perkins, Crystal

  “Your choice, Luke.”

  It is my choice, and I think it’s the right one. We play until the early morning hours, and I manage to not lose everything, although Owen and Sean clean us out most hands. I head home and collapse onto my bed, dreaming of my girl all night.

  * * *

  Olivia

  I got to Erika’s a little late, but it was worth it. My afternoon with Luke was beyond great, and I feel closer to him than ever. Not just physically, but emotionally too. I still can’t believe he surprised me after class. I can’t stop the smile from my face as I walk into the family room to greet the girls.

  “Ooh, look at that smile. Did Luke finally pop that cherry today Liv?”

  “Oh my God, Candi. Seriously?” I know I’m beyond red right now.

  “Yes, seriously. You’re smiling like you’ve had a good O or two today.”

  She’s not going to drop this, so I admit defeat. “I had more than two, and they were better than good, but no we didn’t go all the way yet.”

  “He’s a good guy. I’m glad the two of you got together, Olivia,” Chloe tells me.

  “Thanks. He is a good guy.”

  “So, you’re going to L.A. with us next week, then?” Sam asks me. She works with Yasmin and Erika at Yasmin’s book store.

  “L.A.?”

  “Yeah, we’re going to their friend Kyle’s bar. We went out for the opening, but it was packed, so we wanted to go back and just enjoy it. Later we’re all splitting up. I think Luke’s going to a hockey game,” Yasmin explains.

  “Oh. Luke didn’t mention it, so I guess not.”

  “He probably forgot, but I’m sure he’ll ask you this week. You should go shopping with us after finals, though. We’re all getting new dresses since the bar’s really cool and sexy,” Erika tells me.

  “Well, except for me. I’m like a beached whale.”

  “Shut up, Candi. You are one hot mama. Literally.”

  “Thanks, Yasmin. But seriously, Liv, I agree with Erika. Luke will ask you.”

  “If he does, I’ll go shopping with you, sure.”

  We settle in to watch Never Been Kissed—Erika loves her 90s romantic comedies, so we always watch one—butI’m distracted by thoughts of the trip to L.A. Will he ask me? And what does it mean if he doesn’t? As I head home later, I remind myself to give him the benefit of the doubt, especially when he sends me a sweet goodnight text.

  Chapter 10

  Luke

  This last week has been crazy. Olivia had mid-terms, so we couldn’t spend much time together. She came to my hockey game on Sunday night but had to leave after giving me a hug and kiss when we lost. She was studying all week, so I tried to leave her alone and just texted her a few times a day, reminding her how smart she is and that I love her. I had my mid-semester evaluation for student teaching, but I didn’t have to do anything to prepare for it.

  It’s Wednesday night, and we’re both finally done with everything, although I have to teach for two more days. The school district isn’t on the same schedule for Spring Break as the university, but I’d already arranged to take part of next week off for the trip. I’m really excited to see Kyle’s bar again,and go to the Vortex and Kings game. I wish my girl was going to be with me, but maybe next time.

  Olivia asked me to meet her at the restaurant instead of picking her up. I didn’t see the need for two cars, but maybe she had to do some work for Candi today. I know her schedule’s been off this week for work as well. We’re actually eating at a buffet tonight. She had told me she’d been wanting to try the Cosmo buffet because of their mac and cheese bar, and of course I agreed. I’d agree to almost anything for her. I am seriously gone for her, and I’m loving every minute of it.

  I pay for our dinner and tell the hostess I’m waiting for someone. Ollie comes in with her green coat on over a blue dress that covers her up to her collarbone, but has a short skirt. I can get behind that. She comes over and I greet her with a peck on the lips.

  “Hi, Luke. Sorry I’m running a little late.”

  “No worries. I already paid, so we can go on in.”

  “You didn’t have to pay for me. I would’ve got my own dinner.”

  “You’re kidding me right now, right? I mean, you told me to win at poker so I could take you out. I didn’t, and we couldn’t do it over the weekend, but this is a date. Of course I’m going to pay for you.”

  “I guess.”

  Okay. Something is definitely wrong. I drop it for the moment as the hostess seats us and our waiter takes our drink order. Olivia stands up and takes off her coat and then heads to the food without a word to me. I can now see that her dress has short sleeves and there are two cutouts in the back with buttons at the top of each section. I’m definitely liking this dress more and more. I just need to figure out why she’s mad at me so I can get her out of it.

  I grab my food and come back to the table where she’s already sitting. She has the mac and cheese she wanted and a few more little things, but she’s just picking at her food. She finally looks up at me and speaks. “I was thinking we could go up to Mt. Charleston this weekend and play in the snow.”

  Shit. “I can’t this weekend.”

  “Oh? You have a hot date with someone else?”

  What? “Fuck no, Ollie. You know better.” She just shrugs and looks down at her plate. Oh, hell no. “I have a family trip this weekend.”

  “You never mentioned that before.”

  “I guess it just slipped my mind.” I know it’s a lie, and I’m pissed at myself the moment I say it, but what else could I say?

  “Oh, well, have fun. I should get going.”

  “Get going? You haven’t even eaten.”

  “I’ve lost my appetite. I’ll pay you for my dinner. I don’t have cash, but I can give it to Owen, and he can get it to you on your family trip.”

  “You’re not paying me for dinner, dammit. Don’t go, Ollie.”

  “I have to, Luke.”

  She walks out without even a hug, and I just sit there, staring after her. I have no idea where this went wrong, but it obviously did. Maybe I should cancel my plans for the weekend and stay here with her. No. She should be okay with me going away with my family. It can’t always be about just the two of us. Once I convince myself of that, I eat my food and go back for seconds before heading home to pack.

  * * *

  Olivia

  “I don’t know why I’m here. I told you guys that Luke didn’t invite me and just told me he had a ‘family trip’ when I asked him to hang out with me this weekend.”

  “I’m not sure why he said that, but he’s going to be happy to see you. He’s crazy about you, Liv. You should hear the way he talks about you to me,” Chloe tells me.

  We’re in the dressing room at Neiman Marcus at the Fashion Show Mall. I let Candi convince me to come try on dresses even though I told her Luke didn’t invite me. She also convinced me to go on the trip as her guest. I’m currently wearing a dress that’s way more revealing than anything I’ve ever owned. It’s a light gold colored bandage dress that cuts out a little on the side and is almost backless, except for crisscrossing straps at the top. I feel sexy in it, and I think I may buy it despite the price. I need to feel sexy right now.

  “That’s the dress, Liv. You look smoking hot,” Candi tells me, and the other girls nod.

  “I think so, too. I deserve to splurge, and I feel sexy in it.”

  “Luke is going to fall at your feet when he sees you in that,” Yasmin says.

  “Well, if he doesn’t, maybe some other guy will appreciate it and I can at least dance.”

  “It’ll be Luke. He’ll apologize once he sees you on the plane.”

  I hope she’s right. I pay for the dress and then pick out some sexy shoes and a clutch. I decide on no jewelry since the dress is shiny already. I go home and pack for the flight the next day.

  * * *

  Luke

  I haven’t talked to Olivia in the last two days
and it sucks. I tried to text her, but she’s not answering me. I gave up yesterday. I have to retain some dignity. I’ll go to her place when I get back and make her talk to me. In the meantime, I’m going to have fun with my brothers and their women and enjoy my favorite hockey team.

  I get on the plane and stop in my tracks when I see Olivia already in a seat, looking out the window. This is not good. “Ollie? What are you doing here?” I walk over and sit down on the couch across from her.

  She looks at me, and I flinch at the anger in her eyes. “Candi invited me. Don’t worry. I won’t interfere with your plans to get laid this weekend or whatever.”

  What. The. Fuck. “You’re kidding, right? I mean, you can’t honestly think I’m going to hook up with someone in L.A.”

  “I don’t know what to think, Luke. Not only did you fail to invite me on this trip—which all the girls told me was probably just an oversight on your part—you also lied to me when I asked you to hang out this weekend.”

  I’m feeling cornered because I know I’m the one in the wrong here, so I lash out instead of apologizing like I know I should. “I didn’t fucking lie to you. I told you I was going out of town with my family, and I am.”

  “You also said it must’ve slipped your mind to tell me about it. That wasn’t a lie?”

  Owen speaks up before I can respond. “Tell her why you didn’t invite her, Luke. She’ll understand.”

  “I shouldn’t have to tell her, Owe. I don’t have to answer to anyone for anything I do, especially not to some chick who doesn’t trust me and just wants to keep playing games.”

  “I’m playing games with you? Are you kidding me? I need to get off this plane.”

  Just then, the plane starts to move away from the gate. “Looks like you’re stuck on here, Olivia. Just so you know, I think I will get laid this weekend. You can watch the girls at the bar and see how it’s done.”

  “Maybe I will, and then I’ll get laid, too.”

  Just the thought of her with another guy makes me want to commit murder, but I’m not going to tell her that. I’m also not going to tell her that my cock isn’t even responding to thoughts of fucking some random girl. It only wants her and so do I. But I just blew all chances of that happening out of the water. Why didn’t I just apologize and tell her I was happy to see her? Because I’m an asshole. I know it and so does everyone else on this plane. They’re all glaring at me and I deserve it.

  * * *

  Olivia

  When the plane landed, I grabbed my bag and started heading to the commercial terminal to get a flight back to Vegas. The girls must have guessed I was planning on doing that, and they intercepted me before I could get too far. They convinced me to stay, telling me there’s no way Luke’s going to go off with some other girl, and that he’s going to go crazy when he sees me in my dress.

  When we get into the waiting limo, Luke’s not there anyway. The guys explain that he had some errands to run and will meet us at the house later. The house we pull up to is big, but not ostentatious. I’ve learned that the Griffins like nice things, but they don’t tend to flaunt their wealth. Everyone else has been here before, but they give me a quick tour and show me to a beautiful room with its own bathroom.

  I soak in the tub for a little while and then get dressed. I put my robe over the dress while I do my makeup and am about to take it off when there’s a knock at my door. I walk over and open the door, but no one’s on the other side. I look down to see a single purple orchid, an adorable stuffed giraffe, a hockey jersey, and an event ticket. When I pick them up, I see the ticket is for the game between the Portland Vortex and the Los Angeles Kings for tomorrow night. The jersey is a Vortex one with Luke’s favorite player’s name on the back.

  I look down the hallway and see Luke leaning against the wall, chewing on his lip. He’s wearing a slim suit with a tie. He looks drop dead gorgeous, and I almost start to swoon a little until I remember how mad I am at him. “Please, Ollie.”

  “Just talking, Luke.”

  He nods and I step inside, leaving the door open for him as I sit on the big chair by the window. He comes in, closes the door, and then sits on the bed. “You once asked me to listen while you talked and not interrupt. I need you to do the same for me, Olivia. Some things I’m going to say may be things you don’t want to hear, but they need to be said if we have any chance of being together. Can you do that?”

  He’s scaring me a little, but I nod. “Yes.”

  “I should’ve told you where I was going this weekend, and explained why I didn’t invite you. It wasn’t because I don’t want you here. I do. I want you everywhere with me. I didn’t want you to think I was pressuring you into sleeping with me by inviting you on an out of town trip. I know there’s lots of extra room here, but I just couldn’t take the chance on you thinking I couldn’t wait for you and breaking up with me.

  “I respect the hell out of you and that’s why I haven’t pushed you for anything. I feel like I’ve done a good job of asking permission and not trying anything you weren’t ready for. But I’m only human, and it’s been really hard for me to hold back sometimes. That’s not on you—I knew it would be like this—but that doesn’t mean it’s not hard for me. Especially when you send me such mixed signals sometimes, and I don’t know how you want me to act.

  “I don’t mean just sexually, either. Some days I think you really get me, and I can talk to you about my dreams and fears. Those days are awesome, but then there are the days when I think you just love the idea of me and hold me to some idea of the perfect guy. Like when you say things like ‘you’re you’ or talk about all the girls who want me. I can’t help that I’m good looking. That’s in my genes. Yeah, I work out and stay in shape for hockey, but I’m more than my looks. Plus, you’re smoking hot too, even though you sometimes try to hide it.

  “I want to be as perfect for you as I can, but I can’t be perfect. I’m a guy who’s crazy in love with you, but I’ll never be a perfect dream guy. You of all people, who’s seen me at my worst, should realize that. I’ll happily buy you every flower and stuffed animal on the planet, and I’ll make sure everyone knows I’m only with you, along with making you feel as loved as I can, but that’s pretty much all I can do.” Tears are running down my cheeks, and I feel so ashamed because he’s right.

  “I’m not saying these things to hurt you, Ollie. I just need you to look at how you feel and decide if I’m who you really want. Not the perfect guy you want me to be, but just plain old Luke Griffin. The guy who’s gonna fuck up often, but love you forever. I want you to choose me, but I need you to be sure. If it’s just the idea of me, then we need to end things tonight.

  “I’m going to the bar by myself. Once you make your decision, you can let me know by what happens when you get there. If you want the real me, you’ll come find me. If you don’t, then stay away. Please.”

  He stands up and walks over to me before leaning down and kissing my cheek. “I love you, Ollie. No matter what you decide, I hope you never forget that.”

  He walks out the door and I collapse to the floor. Oh my God. I’m so stupid. I know my answer already. I love that man, flaws and all. I don’t deserve him but I love him, and I’m claiming him the minute I walk into the bar tonight. I pick myself up and wash up before heading downstairs.

  * * *

  Luke

  I’m at the bar, which is really pretty cool. It’s called The Reserve, and it’s in what was once a bank. There’s a room where the vault was, little private areas, a great dance floor, and a bar made out of safety deposit boxes. We came out for the opening but haven’t had a chance to come back again until tonight. I’m standing on the edge of the dance floor talking to some chick I’d hooked up with in the past. I’ve told her I’m not interested, but she’s not taking no for an answer.

  “If you have a girlfriend, where is she?”

  “Right here.”

  I barely have time to turn and take in Olivia wearing a sexy as hell dr
ess before she’s on me. She wraps her arms around my neck and kisses me hard. I kiss her back as I hold her hips, running my thumbs across her bare back. I told her to come to me, and fuck if she didn’t. She breaks the kiss to whisper in my ear, “I love you, Luke Griffin. My perfectly flawed dream boyfriend.”

  I’m the one who initiates the next kiss, pulling her tight against me. We kiss for a few minutes, both of us conveying our feelings for each other. I pull away, touch our foreheads together, and reach up to cup her face with one hand while I look in her eyes. “Thank God you came for me.”

  “Were you really worried?”

  “A little, yeah. I said some rough things to you.”

  “You said some true things to me. Things that I am so, so sorry for. I never meant to send you mixed signals or make you think it wasn’t you, the real you, who I love. You are my dream boyfriend. In every way. I shouldn’t have tried to hold you to standards of perfection just because I was a little intimidated by you. I don’t want you to be so worried about me sexually either. You’ve been more than patient. We’ve done almost everything now, and I’m not going to stop you if you still want to make love to me.”

  I forgot where we are until the chick who wouldn’t leave me alone speaks up. “It’s not polite to whisper, you know.”

  Olivia turns in my arms, leaning back into me as she answers. “What are you still doing here?”

  “Luke Griffin doesn’t have girlfriends. He fucks. He’s great at that, but it’s all there is. Everyone knows that.”

  I stiffen, but Olivia pulls my arms tight around her waist and rubs my forearms. “He just hadn’t found the right girl. He has now, and believe me, he’s not going home with anyone else. I can guarantee it because I don’t share. You can run along now and look for someone else to hook up with.”

  Olivia claiming me is beyond hot. I relax and start nibbling on her neck and shoulder. “Good luck with that,” the chick says and storms off.