“Was everything okay at work? The stock market’s been making headlines this week, and not good ones,” Dad said.
“We’ve got it under control,” Knox said. “But we have some more interesting news to share, or at least Griffin does.”
I growled at him.What a fucker. Why would he bring this up in front of Mom and Dad?
“We can talk about it later,” I said smoothly.
“No, we cannot,” Finn said. “We cut you slack at the office, but come on now, spill it.”
“What is it, Griffin darling?” Mom asked. “Is everything okay?”
“Really, Mom, it’s nothing bad. Just not something we should discuss at the table,” I said.
“He’s asked a woman to pretend to be his girlfriend so he can secure a business deal because his potential business partner was worried about his manwhore reputation.”
Hannah’s eyes bulged. Mom gasped. Dad put down the forkful of salad he’d been about to eat. Then he looked at Jeremy,who was frowning, and glanced at Duncan. Duncan was furious with Knox. Good! At least I wasn’t the only one, even though everyone else was beyond amused.
“Griffin, you didn’t!” Mom exclaimed.
“Son, that is really beneath you,” Dad added. “Disrespectful to this woman too.”
“Let it be known that I suggested it,” Knox said. “I didn’t actually think he’d do it, though, but kudos for having the—” He stopped abruptly, like he’d suddenly read the room and realized not everyone was cool with this.
“Well, however it happened,” Mom said, “it’s not fair to deceive others.”
“I know,” I said.Way to make me feel like crap.Of course I knew that, but because of Phoebe, it seemed okay.
“We taught you better.” Dad’s voice was uncharacteristically harsh.
I looked at Knox. “You truly are enjoying this, aren’t you?”
He grinned. “A lot.”
“So am I,” Finn said. “We’re at the top of everyone’s shit list all the time. Now, for once, you’re behaving worse than we are.”
I looked around the table once, especially at Jeremy. For fuck’s sake, what kind of example was I setting for him?
“This wasn’t one of my brightest ideas,” I admitted. “It’s not how I usually do things, but I won’t move forward with the charade.”
I was supposed to reach out to Jude this week and cancel the plans, but I didn’t. I’d have to take care of that as soon as possible.
“Good,” Mom said. “It’s not fair, you know, to your business partners or that poor girl.”
“She knows what’s going on,” I pointed out. “But I’ll make things right. This was a bad idea from all angles.”
Mom sighed. “Regardless, it’s not a good situation overall.”
“I agree,” I said.
My brothers were relentless the rest of the evening. But thenagain, if any of them were in my shoes, I’d do the exact same thing. The more I talked about the situation, the more insane it seemed.
At eight o’clock, Duncan left with Jeremy because my nephew had a strict bedtime routine. Riley didn’t make it to dinner after all; they took leftover casserole with them for her.
The rest of us filtered out soon after that. The only one who stayed behind was Dad.
I got in my car and intended to head home, but instead, I texted Phoebe. I hadn’t gotten to talk to her this week, but I didn’t want to postpone it any longer.
Griffin: Are you free for a call?
