“I need to focus on rehab, on getting back to myself, and I can’t do that with you hanging around.”
Aria feels her insides deflate, and her face must show it, because Griffin hurries to explain.
“I’m sorry, that didn’t come out right. I just need time alone. I’m sorry.”
Aria can’t say she’s entirely shocked based on his behaviorsince the injury, but it doesn’t take away the ache his words cast over her. As she gets to her feet, she feels like an irksome little child distracting the adults from the real work. She chides herself.
You should’ve known better.
This is what happens when the walls come down.
Just like the others.
“No problem.” Aria hates the way her voice wavers.
Griffin reaches out for her arm as she passes. “I’m sorry. I just—”
“You don’t need to explain, Griff.”
She slides to the side to escape his grip. Aria can bear to hold his eye only for a moment, so she looks aside to say the rest. “Have Mike chat with Kelsey about plans, yeah? I’ll give you your space.”
“Aria, you know I don’t—”
“Stop. Let’s not.” Aria flashes him a smile and raises a hand goodbye. It takes every ounce of her effort to strike a nonchalant tone as she calls over her shoulder, “I’ll see ya when I see ya,” and slips out of the coffee shop.
Chapter 41
Griffin
The ease in Aria’s voice as she floats out of the coffee shop unbothered is only confirmation of Griffin’s suspicions that she’s far too confident to be bothered by his ask for space. In fact, it’s also confirmation that she deserves him at his best and nothing else. Sure, he saw the way her expression fell when he stumbled over his words, but it didn’t take hold.
As he looks around, now alone in a shop he’s only ever inhabited alongside her, Griffin hates the way the place feels. Cold and lonely despite the murmur of happy voices and the welcome scent of freshly brewed coffee. He dips out of the shop and directly into his car at the curb.
He wishes he was a stronger man, someone who could’ve not only avoided this injury, but someone who could stand to lose football and still be worthwhile. It’s in Aria’s best interest to be far, far away from him for now.
In his pocket, Griffin’s phone buzzes with calls from media contacts. He has at least one hundred emails unanswered in his box, again from more people looking to break an article about his future. If any one of those reporters could givehimsome idea as to what comes next for him, Griffin would take it gladly.
Griffin drops his head back onto the headrest, closes his eyes, and remembers all the pieces of his life that built his career. The little boy he was scrambling onto the field for the first time, the college hopeful, the football camp summers from the moment school let out to the moment classes resumed. Then the Wardens. Those are all the pieces of him, and he’s clueless as to what to do when they end.
Even if it hurt to turn her away, even if he could really use a friend like her to get through post-op and recovery, Griffin would rather suffer than let Aria see him defeated and weak. He needs to figure out how to make this work before he lets Aria back in. She deserves the best version of him, and he’s far from it.
Chapter 42
Aria
The Chart Topper Music Awards party begins with a red carpet walk, segues into a seated dinner, and rounds out in the awards presentations—which are also broadcast on television. It’s a welcome break from the studio where Aria has been camped out ever since Gerald cornered her on the video chat.
Aria brings Bailey as her guest, and when their limo pulls up to the guest drop-off, they step out to an explosion of camera flashes from the crowd of photographers waiting behind the metal barricades that flank the red carpet.
Aria smiles and waves, temporarily blinded by the lights, and Bailey hangs behind her. It’s a comfort to know she’s there, like backup in case things get dicey.
Aria is well-trained by now, and she stops and poses, turning so each photographer can get their shot. After a minute, she waves before passing the fenced-in media section toward the true red carpet.
She pauses and slips her phone out of the heavy beaded clutch, thoughts of Griffin floating through her mind.
Griffin had his surgery yesterday, and despite his coffee shop declaration, Aria reached out. She didn’t expect a quick response—if at all—knowing he would be groggy. And even if he didn’t want to hear from her, it was important to Aria that she send well-wishes at the least.
Aria:How’re you healing up? I hear you’re in the fanciest of digs.
