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Tears filled his eyes and trickled down his cheeks. I rushed forward, but he held up his hand. “No, no, don’t touch me.”
“I’m sorry I’ve hidden it from you for so long.”
“For how long? Who made contact? Scott, he’ll use you and make you believe his lies. He’s not even gay. Why did you fall for his tricks?”
“That’s right. I tricked him, so take it out on me,” Griff said.
“Griff, stop!”
“What’s the truth, Scott?” Jay asked. “Did he pursue you or what?”
“No, he didn’t. I was the one who went against your wishes and wrote letters to him in prison. And when he got out, I was the one who agreed to help him get closer to you. But you wanted nothing to do with him, and instead, I got closer to him. We spent time together, and I found out he’s a wonderful man. Sure, he’s made mistakes, but I’m not ashamed to be with him. I don’t regret it either. I just wish I hadn’t kept it from you for so long, because I didn’t want to choose between you. Don’t make me choose now.”
Jay fell silent, his jaw hanging open. Behind me, Griff drew closer, placing a supporting hand on my lower back.
“I know you don’t believe me,” he said softly. “But I’m not with Scott to hurt you or him. I didn’t plan this either. We love each other.”
Jay barked out a laugh, a harsh sound. “I don’t expect better from you, but you, Scott? Your previous boyfriend nearly beat you to death. You’re supposed to be the smart one. Why would you get involved with a criminal?”
“Griff’s nothing like David.”
Jay shook his head and walked away toward his car.
“Jay!” I started to follow him, but Griff held me back. “We can’t let him go like that.”
“What else can we do? He won’t listen to us right now, Scottie. Let’s give him a moment to process stuff.”
“B-b-but-” I winced as Jay’s car peeled out of the parking lot. My shoulders slumped, and tears rolled down my cheeks. “I hurt him, Griff. I really hurt him.”
26
GRIFF
By the time I got Scottie home, he’d stopped crying. I hated seeing him like this, so upset, with his eyes red and swollen. With a hand on his back, I guided him to his house, took the keys from him, and unlocked the front door. I’d wanted to take him back with me to my apartment for the night, but he’d insisted on going home so he could talk to Jay.
“He’s not home.” He sighed as he entered ahead of me. “His car isn’t here.”
I helped him out of his jacket and hung it in the closet. Mine stayed on. I had no intention of getting comfortable and was just making sure Scottie was okay. Jay finding me here would only complicate things.
“I’ll stay with you for a while,” I said.
“Do you want anything to drink?”
“No, I’m good.” I followed Scottie into the kitchen. “Why did you do it? Why did you tell him? We could’ve found our way around the truth. Or at least made me take the blame.”
“He was getting everything wrong and blaming you when it’s not your fault. I couldn’t listen to him treating you unfairly anymore.”
I pulled him into my arms and cradled his head to my chest. “You’re the only one who’s ever believed in me, Scottie. You haven’t even asked me about that woman I was with.”
“Oh, her.” He went rigid in my arms and tilted his head back to look at me. “Who was she? I thought you were supposed to meet your boss. Griff, I-I’m trying to give you the benefit of the doubt, but I didn’t like seeing you with her. Why did you lie to me?”
“I met my boss. He left about fifteen minutes before you showed up.”
He frowned. Didn’t he believe me? The check!
I dug into my pocket for my wallet and took out the check. “Here. This is a check from my boss. We did meet and talk about my future with the company.”
Scottie took the paper from me and gasped. “Griff, that’s a lot of money.”
