“He got caught up with practice. We usually don’t do anything on my birthday because it falls during football season. I asked him at the last minute to take me somewhere, and he surprised me this morning with this trip. My mama should be landing soon to take care of the children.”
He whistled, and the car increased speed. “Why didn’t you just cancel with me if he surprised you with this trip?”
“I wanted to see you.”
Grey placed both hands on the steering wheel, unclenching and clenching his jaw. “You were going to see me and then dash off for a romantic night with Carter until he canceled on you. I guess I’m a consolation prize like I was when you turned twenty-one. Good old faithful Grey. When Carter upsets you, I’m there to pick up the pieces.”
“It’s my birthday. You didn’t think I would have plans with him or my children, even if it weren’t a surprise trip?”
“I didn’t ask to spend your birthday with you. I just wanted to hear your voice. You asked me like I meant something to you.”
“You do mean something to me.”
He cursed and glared. “Were you pissed with Carter when you asked me to see you? Let me ask it another way. Would we be here right now if he were doing right by you? Darren, I’m not that dude anymore...waiting for whatever scrap you could give me...hoping that Carter fucks up, so you’ll notice me.”
The more he spoke, the more my temper grew. “Do you have selective memory? You made your move on me once Carter expressed interest in me. The same man you asked to be nice to me, and then you gave me back to him once you were done, like I was a damn doll. Pull over now,” I yelled.
Guilt flamed his face as he looked around. “We are on a busy highway.”
“I don’t care. I’ll take an Uber back.”
“At least let me get to a safer area.”
I folded my arms and stared ahead. The wind whipped through my latest brown and blonde streaked weave, making me look glamorous even on my casual days. I didn’t look like the Darren, Grey remembered, but who I was remained the same. Grey always had a piece of me. I’d spent years trying to prove to Carter that I loved him, and I even decided to keep a secret about Grey’s baby to prove I loved him. I wasn’t about to justify my heart to Grey after telling him I would’ve chosen him as my husband over the man I did marry.
When we passed an exit, and he kept driving, I asked, “Why aren’t you getting off this exit?”
“Because we’re both almost thirty years old and behaving like kids. We’re both emotional. I know I laid a lot on you at once. I’m down if you don’t want to talk about anything but the beautiful sky or hang out at Disney.”
I didn’t know how much time I had before I had to return to my real life. “No...I want to talk. Glad I get to spend more time with you. Really catch up.”
“Then let me take you to my beach house. It’s a few minutes from here.”
“Where do you and Tatianna live?” My heart thumped. I didn’t want to see where they lived and didn’t want to risk her coming home early and all hell breaking loose.
“No, we don’t live together. She’s from L.A. and has been living here already. I have an apartment, and I bought this house recently. She hasn’t seen it yet. Probably going to be pissed that I bought it without telling her.”
I scoffed. “Grey, I know you’re new to this commitment thing, but you’re supposed to decide on a house together.”
He laughed out loud. “This ismyhouse. She and I will decide on one together. She didn’t want me to buy a house by the beach. Thinks it's way too expensive for the square footage.”
“You love the water...the beach. It makes sense.”
Grey grinned. “I do. Ever since we lived in Galveston and I learned to jog on the sand, I have craved that type of running. I’d been living in the Cayman Islands for the past six years. A lot of solitude to think about my life, my choices, and why.” His eyes sparkled as he reassured me. “Don’t be scared to be alone with me. I promise to keep my hands to myself this time.
I pointed to his mouth. “You lie. Don’t forget I know you, and you were no better than Carter back in the day. You could get women to do whatever you wanted.” I picked up his right hand. “Promise me that you won’t seduce me... that all we will do is talk. Promise me that Grant Jameson.”
“Shit...my government name twice in one day.” His lips curved into a smile as he exited the highway. “You have a mouth. Tell me 'no' if I try something you don’t like.”
“I told you ‘no’ back there, and somehow I still ended up in your arms." Shaking my head slowly, I admitted, "You’re my weakness. If Carter didn’t call, we might have done something we would’ve regretted.”
He raised both brows. “Speak for yourself.”
“Well, then, I’m speaking for myself. I’m not cheating on Carter. I need you to be my strength.”
Grey pulled into a paved street with small, quaint homes. Because of its Malibu oceanfront location, it easily costs at least a million, probably more. “Technically, you’re already cheating.”
“Would he probably curse me out and throw me out if he knew I was here with you? Probably. ButIknow we didn’t cross the point of no return.” I admired the light blue ranch-style home.
