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I jumped back, lifting my arm to protect my face, tripped over my own feet, and went down hard. My heart beat fast, and I swallowed the rush of bile that rose up in my throat.
“Scott.”
I glanced up. Jay didn’t look angry anymore, but confused and hurt.
“I’m sorry,” I whispered.
“It’s one thing to bring up my father when you know that’s a hard limit for me, but to act like I’d ever hurt you...” He shook his head. “How can you even think that?”
“Jay, it’s not—”
He stalked out of the living room.
“—you.”
The front door slammed shut. I winced and closed my eyes. Footsteps approached. I opened them, but my lashes were wet, and I couldn’t see clearly. I slipped my glasses off, wiped my eyes with the back of my hand, and settled them back on my nose.
“What happened?” Griff placed a hand on my shoulder and helped me up.
I shook my head, my insides feeling hollow. “It’s nothing.”
“It can’t be nothing. Jay seemed more upset about the last part of that argument than about me.”
I inhaled deeply and let out the breath. “Did you hear everything?”
“Pretty much.”
“Then you know…”
“He doesn’t want anything to do with me.”
He sounded so defeated. Unlike the Griff I’d come to know over the years. Even while locked up, his words had always sounded robust and positive.
“I should go,” he said.
“Wait, you’re leaving?”
“You heard him.”
“He’s just still hurt.”
“And if you keep pushing, you may ruin your friendship with him. I can see both of you value that.”
“We go a long way. He wouldn’t let something like this come between us.” At least, I hoped not. It would suck not to have Jay in my life anymore.
“You didn’t sound so sure about that the last time we spoke.” He shoved his hands into his jeans pockets. “Just leave it alone, Scott. You’ve tried. I can’t expect anything more from you.”
“But he—”
“Scottie.” He raised his hand and brushed my cheek gently. “Thank you for everything.”
My heart lurched painfully. His hand dropped away from my cheek. Why did this feel like good-bye? What if I never saw him again?
“Please don’t go.”
By the time I’d found my voice, Griff was already gone. I sat heavily on the sofa, pulled my legs up to my chest, and wrapped my arms around them. This couldn’t be all, could it? Griff might have done something wrong, but he meant well by his son. Why shouldn’t they have a happily ever after?
The man held a knife to someone.
