A Little Secret (The Little Things #4)

Chapter 49

CHAPTER FORTY-NINE

GRIFFIN

I sent a text to everyone when we were at the hospital. Everett helped spread the news, too, offering to stay at the cabin with Raine for the night so Fin could have some space. After Fin fell asleep, I carried her to bed and called my parents. My mom cried. My dad asked if I needed anything. I didn’t know what to say. I still don’t know what to say.

You be the man my baby needs.

Uncle Mack’s words filter through me, acting like a beacon. Like it’s the only thing I can hold onto. The only thing I can trust. Be the man my baby needs . Fuck, I’m trying. But it’s hard. I’m so used to fixing things that not being able to is a special kind of torture. One I wouldn’t wish on anyone.

As the morning light slips through the window, a soft knock echoes from the front of the duplex, and I slip my arm from beneath Finley’s head. We’ve been awake for an hour, but she hasn’t moved. I think she’s afraid to. Afraid she’ll see more blood. More evidence of the baby we lost. She scared me last night. Telling me to leave. That I should go home. The words were like a dagger to my sternum, but I know her better than that.

Knock, knock.

My eyes feel like sandpaper as I rub at them and climb out of bed. “You want company today?” I rasp.

Fin shakes her head. “Not today.”

With a nod, I step into the hallway and toward the front door. A suit comes into view through the side window, making me freeze until I force my body to move.

The hinges squeak as I open the door. “Uh, hey.”

Uncle Henry and Aunt Mia stand on the porch with a bouquet of Gerber daisies.

My chest cracks even more, and I reach for the flowers. “I assume you heard about the baby.”

Uncle Henry sighs. “We did.”

I give a slow nod, my fingers digging into the edge of the door to keep me from falling on my ass and crying like a little kid.

“Do you mind if I…?” Aunt Mia’s voice trails off as she peeks around me toward Finley’s room.

“She doesn’t want company,” I murmur.

“Totally get it. How about I put these flowers in a vase, then we’ll be on our way?”

“Uh. Yeah. Sure,” I concede.

“Perfect.” Aunt Mia slips into the kitchen and begins opening cabinets in search of a vase.

Numb, I turn back to Uncle Henry on the porch. “Thanks for stopping by,” I mutter. “I’ve, uh, I’ve actually been meaning to call, so…”

“Yeah?” His brows lift in surprise. “About what?”

“About the position,” I continue. “Now that, uh, the baby’s gone and everything, it looks like you can give Ev the spot, so…”

“Not gonna do that, Griff. ”

A splinter shoots through my sternum. Or maybe it’s always been there. Ever since the hospital. It flares, and I rub at the spot. “Well, you should.”

“Not gonna happen,” he repeats. “That being said, since you brought up the Lions, I have news, if you’d like to have a conversation?”

I nod, not really giving a shit anymore. Even though hockey was my life before this, now it's only a blip on my radar. Because nothing—and I mean nothing—else matters but the girl holed up in her room, refusing to see anyone.

A heavy strain tugs at my muscles as I glance down the hall. It’s second nature. Like a weird tick or some shit. But even though I just climbed out of bed with her, the need to check on her is overwhelming.

“Uh, sure,” I offer, forcing myself to keep my feet planted where they are instead of giving in to my compulsion. “Whatever…whatever you want to do.”

“I’ll keep it quick since you obviously have more pressing concerns on your mind,” Henry offers. “Bluntly put, Everett’s on the team, too.”

My eyes widen. “What?”

“The GM agreed that we haven’t seen this kind of synergy on the ice since your dad played with your Uncle Theo. We want both of you playing for the Lions next year.”

“I don’t…I don’t know what to say.”

“Say you’re not giving up.”

I close my eyes. “I’m not giving up.”

Grasping my shoulder, he squeezes. “Good man. The more you say it, the more you believe it. We love you, all right?”

I nod, my body heavy, as Aunt Mia returns. Wrapping her arms around my waist, she gives me a hug and kisses my cheek. “He’s right. We do love you, and if you need anything, and I mean anything, we’re only a phone call away.”

If only a phone call could fix this.

Rubbing at my eye’s inner corner, I reply, “Thanks, Aunt Mia.”

“Anytime.”