AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Yeah, what’re you doing over here all by yourself?” I jerk my thumb over my shoulder. “You’re missing the grand tour.”
His lips slide into a smirk. “It’s gonna be a while before I have to worry about high-end house stuff. I told Remy to come get me when they head out to the garages.”
Figures. Griff’s really into fixing up old muscle cars.
“Grinder’s place is something,” he says.
“It is.” I study him closer, noticing a black circle under his left eye. “What the hell happened to you?”
He and his best friend Remy run an underground fighting ring in an old building that used to be a detention center for delinquent youths. Everyone just calls it The Castle now. Even though it’s illegal as fuck, they run their operation tight and make a lot of money off those matches. Murphy used to fight there on the regular before he and Heidi got married. Ravage and Jigsaw still sign up for fights there from time to time. Hell, I’ve even gone a few rounds in their cage once or twice to keep my skills sharp.
Griff briefly touches his cheek. Instead of a painful wince, a faint smile crosses his expression. “Got a little distracted in the ring the other night.”
“You don’t get distracted.” Griff’s rarely lost a fight. Not because the fights are rigged—they run things fairly—he’s just a skilled fighter, and of course, has an abundance of rage to purge.
He shrugs as if he doesn’t care. “I won in the end.”
“I guess that’s all that really matters.” Something still doesn’t seem right about his explanation but since it’s not my business I leave it alone.
“You riding home after this?” he asks.
“Probably.” Grinder and Serena have a few people staying at the house. Most of us have been invited to stay at Downstate’s clubhouse. In fact, before I ventured into the basement, I’d already noticed some of the partygoers saying their goodbyes.
What will Emily do? Spend the night here? If she leaves really late, how creepy would it be if I followed her home to make sure she and Libby get there in one piece?
Griff slaps my shoulder, probably realizing he’s lost my attention while I obsess over Emily. “Well, I think Remy’s planning to stay at the clubhouse. If you want someone to ride home with, let me know.”
“Yeah, appreciate that.” It’s always safer to ride with someone else you trust. “I will.”
Remy and Teller wander over to us. Remy knocks his knuckles against the bar. “This is nice. We gotta talk Grinder into hosting a Superbowl party next year.”
“Isn’t that one of the busiest days at your tavern?” Teller asks.
Remy shrugs. “Yeah.”
“What’s wrong?” I lift my chin at Teller. “Grinder get tired of all your suggestions?”
“No.” He rubs his hand over the back of his neck. “Shit, maybe he did. He told us to let you guys know they’re headed out to the garages.”
Griff perks up. “Now that I’m down for.” He slips his phone out of his pocket again. “I’m gonna go make a call first.” He slants a look at Remy. “Molly wants to know if you’re coming home tonight.”
Remy’s icy blue eyes narrow on his best friend. “Why’s she asking you?”
Griff shrugs and glances away. “You’re not answering her texts, I guess.”
When Remy pulls out his phone, Griff slips away.
“Fucker,” Remy grumbles as he taps out a text, then tucks his phone in his pocket.
“Some advice,” Teller says. Without waiting to see if Remy even wants whatever pearls of wisdom Teller’s about to share, he says, “Just let it happen. If you try and keep ’em apart, it’ll make things worse.”
“Hypocrite.” I choke-laugh into my fist. “Kinda wish Heidi was here to witness this.”
“No one asked you.” Teller points at me but there’s laughter in his expression.
Remy eyes Teller. “Molly’s smart. I want her to…I don’t know. I want more for her.”
“I hear you,” Teller says. “Believe me. But what does she want? She’s almost an adult, no? Not a little kid.”
“She’s always gonna be a kid to me,” Remy insists. “She’s my little sister. Been lookin’ out for her as long as I can remember.”
“He’s familiar with the concept,” I say with a heavy dose of sarcasm. “Trust me.”
Done playing wise, older brother, Teller holds up his hands in a surrender gesture. “Just trying to give you advice I wish someone had given me.”
You’ve got to be kidding me. Is he for real? “You were given similar advice, brother,” I remind Teller. “Many, many times. It just took you years and years to finally accept it. Years.”
“All right,” Teller grumbles. “We get it.”
Remy laughs.
“Yeaaaars.” I draw out the word just to be even more of a dick.
Teller glares at me.
Glare all you want, brother. Ball-busting is what happens when you bring nothing but audacity to the conversation.
Teller shakes his head, a hint of a smile threatening to crack his stern expression.
