aisling grimlock 03 - grim discovery Page 4
“I just … it all tastes horrible to me right now,” I said, although I took a bite because Griffin was watching me.
“I know.” Griffin’s voice was soft. “You’re dealing with more than any one person should have to take on at any given time. I need you to know that I’m here for you in this. I don’t know what to do to help you.”
“You’re the only one I can talk to,” I said. “That’s … I don’t even know what to say to that. I feel like I’m betraying everyone. I always confide in Jerry and Aidan. In some instances I confide in Redmond. Now I feel like I’m stabbing them all in the back.”
“Aisling, you didn’t create this situation,” Griffin pointed out. “You inherited it. I can’t help but wish Fontaine would’ve died without telling you. This is too much for you to deal with.”
“If he didn’t tell me, we wouldn’t know who the true enemy is.”
“Baby, look at me a second.” I forced my gaze to Griffin’s handsome face. “I don’t know exactly what you’re feeling. I’m guessing part of you is horrified that your mother is alive and trying to kill you. I think there’s also a part of you that is desperate to believe there’s something to be saved there … that maybe you can get your mother back.
“I don’t know if she’s really alive, and I can’t figure out how it would benefit Fontaine to lie, so I’m leaning toward her being out there,” he continued. “No matter what happens, though, you can’t turn a blind eye to the things she might have done because you’re so desperate to see her again.”
“I know,” I said. “I can’t trust her. That’s not even my biggest issue right now, though. We have to find her. I have no idea where to even start looking. She could be hiding in plain sight for all we know.”
“Well, I guess it’s good you have your trusty detective boyfriend to help with that, right?” Griffin tapped my chin playfully. “Promise me you won’t try to do this alone.”
“I promise.”
“No, really promise, Aisling,” Griffin pressed. “I need to know you’ll let me be there for you. This isn’t going to work if you shut me out … and that’s the thing that terrifies me most about this.
“Heck, I should be freaked that your mother is back from the dead,” he continued. “I’m more worried about waking up and finding you gone one day. So I need you to really promise that we’re in this together.”
“This makes me feel weak and ashamed because I’ve always been adamant about taking care of myself, but I’m not sure how I could do it without you,” I finally admitted.
Griffin leaned over and gave me a soft kiss. “We’ll figure it out,” he said. “Until we do, though, you can’t let this eat you alive. We’re living a life here that doesn’t revolve around your mother. Please, try to relax and have fun. You’re going to kill yourself if you don’t.”
“Is that why we’re playing fake softball tomorrow?” I asked, slipping my free hand into his as I munched on my pizza. “Is that your way of proving to Jerry that we’re fun?”
“I wasn’t lying about the softball.”
I stilled, taking the time to swallow as I decided how to tackle the situation. “Jerry wasn’t lying about what a poor loser I am. You know that, right?”
“I’ve seen you compete,” Griffin said. “Why do you think you’re on my team?”
I snorted. “Actually, you know what? It might be good to get outside and hang around people who don’t know me and can’t tell when I’m lying.”
Griffin slung an arm over my shoulder, pulling me close so he could kiss my forehead as I leaned against him. “I think that’s a good way of looking at it.”
“I’m surprised you want me to play. You’ve never really wanted me around your friends.”
“That’s not true,” Griffin argued. “We’ve just spent the better part of our relationship tied up with your family drama.”
Well, I couldn’t argue with that. “I hope that you realize I’m really good.”
“Oh, I know you’re good, baby,” Griffin teased. “Once you eat another slice of that pizza I’m going to take you into the bedroom and let you show off for me.”
“I take it you’re expecting a homerun.”
“I’m expecting a grand slam. I won’t settle for anything else.”
Four
“Voila!”
Jerry extended his hand with a flourish and shoved me into the living room the next morning. Aidan, still in his boxer shorts and his hair standing on end, listed to the side because he was laughing so hard. From his spot leaning against the counter in the kitchen, Griffin merely raised his eyebrows.
I felt like an idiot. Because this was the first time I was meeting Griffin’s co-workers, Jerry insisted on dressing me up so I made a good first impression. I couldn’t figure out where he managed to find snug softball pants on the fly – but he was a master. The “Kiss my Sass” Nike T-shirt was another fine touch.
Jerry scorched Aidan and Griffin with harsh looks. “Tell her she looks nice.”
“She looks like she should be playing softball on one of those lingerie shows,” Aidan sputtered. “Could those pants be any tighter?”
“They make her butt look beautiful,” Jerry countered, crossing his arms over his chest. “Don’t you make fun of her! She’s nervous.” He turned his attention to Griffin. “How do you think she looks?”
Griffin scratched the side of his nose as he looked me up and down. “Turn around.”
“I am not putting on a fashion show,” I scoffed.
“Turn around,” Griffin repeated.
Jerry forced me to do the deed, and when I swiveled back to face Griffin I practically dared him to make fun of me with my eyes.
“That will do,” Griffin said, dropping his cereal bowl in the sink. “Do you want cereal before we go?”
“No.”
“You should eat something,” Jerry chided.
Griffin ran his tongue over his teeth, cocking his head to the side as he decided how to handle the situation. “How about I buy you a breakfast sandwich on the way? Those are your favorite.”
“That’s a good idea,” Jerry said. “Get her the extra hash brown, too. The baby needs it.”
Aidan rolled so he was facing me. “What baby?”
“Jerry is convinced I’m not eating because I’m pregnant,” I replied. “He’s making it up in his head.”
“I figured that was the case,” Aidan said. “You’ve been on birth control since high school.”
“Why does your brother know about your birth control?” Griffin asked.
“He’s a busybody.”
“We shared a bathroom,” Aidan corrected. “She hid them in the tampon box because she thought no one would look there.”
“Why were you looking in the tampon box?” Griffin was horrified.
“Because that’s where I hid my pot because I thought no one would look there,” Aidan replied.
“Ah, well, that actually makes sense,” Griffin said. “Come on, sexy softballer. Are you ready to show the world how competitive you are?”
“I wouldn’t joke about that,” Aidan cautioned. “The Grimlocks are notorious for throwing more than balls … and, yes, I realize how dirty that sounded, Jerry. There’s no need to comment on it.”
Jerry’s face fell and I couldn’t help but feel sorry for him. He loved a good double entendre.
“Are you telling me she’s going to throw a bat?” Griffin was nonplussed.
“And a fit if she loses,” Aidan added.
Griffin didn’t look too worried. He extended his hand in my direction. “Come on. I can’t wait to show you off to my co-workers. Jerry was right about your butt in those pants.”
I took a step toward him, scowling, but Jerry stopped me.
“I forgot one thing.” Jerry scampered into his room, returning with a black baseball cap with rhinestone trim a few seconds later. “Put this on.”
“I’d rather die,” I shot back.
“Put it on!”
“Do you want to embarrass Griffin? You need to wear a hat.”
I glanced at Griffin, hoping he would help. He picked up on the non-verbal cue right away. “Give me the hat. After she’s had her breakfast and she’s not so grumpy, I’ll make sure she puts it on.”
Jerry didn’t look convinced. “Are you lying to me?”
“Fine. I won’t make her put it on and we’ll leave right now,” Griffin countered. “Come on, Aisling.” He gestured for me to go to him. “You don’t have to wear the hat.”
“I want her to wear the hat,” Jerry complained.
“Then I guess you shouldn’t have overplayed your hand,” Griffin said, placing a hand on the small of my back and pushing me out the front door. “We’re having dinner with everyone after the game, so don’t expect us back for the entire day.”
“Wait … how did this get away from me?” Jerry was flustered.
“You can’t bully him like you bully everyone else,” Aidan said. “He’s immune to your charms.”
“No one is immune to my charms.”
“Well … take it up with the charm police,” Aidan said. “Now, come on. There’s a Golden Girls marathon on the Hallmark Channel and I think we should plant ourselves here for the entire day.”
“Finally someone who understands me.”
Griffin rolled his eyes as he shut the door. “Jerry is a trip.”
“I think we should stop at the store and buy different pants,” I suggested. “I feel stupid in these.”
“Oh, baby, Jerry may be a trip, but he wasn’t exaggerating about your butt in those pants,” Griffin replied. “If I could figure out a way to make you wear those pants for the rest of your life, I would be a happy man.”
“What are your co-workers going to say?”
“To you? Nothing,” Griffin said. “To me? They’re going to high-five me and ask what you look like naked when you’re not around.”
“Men are pigs.”
“It’s in the DNA, baby,” Griffin said, grabbing my hand and leading me toward his Ford Explorer. “It simply cannot be helped.”
“THIS is starting to feel like a bad idea,” I said, pulling up short and letting Griffin get several feet ahead of me as we walked from the parking lot to the ball diamond at the park. I could see Griffin’s co-workers – and their wives, who were wearing yoga pants and T-shirts instead of softball pants and insults – as they cavorted on the other side of the metal fence. They all looked as though they knew each other. I was going to be the odd woman out.
“You’ll be fine,” Griffin said, refusing to turn around and join me.
“But … they’re not going to like me,” I said, edging in his direction. “No one ever likes me.”
“I like you.”
“You only like me because I get naked with you every night,” I pointed out. “I don’t think you want me to win them over the same way.”
Griffin barked out a hoarse laugh. “Baby, I like you because you’re hot and you make me laugh,” he said. “If you must know, though, I was attracted to you because you were so sassy. I think that shirt was a nice choice for you.”
“Look at them.”
Griffin glanced over his shoulder. “I’ve seen them all before.”
“They have families … and barbecues … and car pools,” I said. “I have souls … and a gay best friend who dresses me up like a hooker … and a mother back from the dead. What am I going to talk to them about?”
“I think you’re underestimating yourself,” Griffin replied. “You manage to function quite well in social situations as long as Angelina Davenport isn’t around. I can guarantee she’s not here.”
Angelina was my arch nemesis … and no, I’m not exaggerating. We’re lifelong enemies and if she were hit by a bus I’d throw a party. Don’t worry, I wouldn’t do it in front of people. It would be a private party.
“Well, that’s good,” I muttered, closing the distance between Griffin and myself and slipping my hand into his. “This day would really suck if I had to make small talk with soccer moms and risk getting herpes at the same time.”
“And there she is,” Griffin laughed. “Aisling, it’s important for you to remember that I don’t care whether these people like you. Hell, I don’t care if they like me. All I care about is whether I like you … and I’m quite fond of you.”
“That’s nice of you to say. I’m quite fond of you, too.”
“I’m really fond of you since you put those pants on,” Griffin said, patting my rear as he pushed me in front of him. “Are you ready to meet everyone?”
“Do I have a choice?”
“No.”
Griffin kept his hand snug against my waist as he prodded me through the gate. “Hey, everyone.”
“Hey.”
Apparently my appearance was a big surprise, because before I realized what was happening I found myself surrounded by a cadre of curious men and women.
“I wasn’t sure you were real. I’m Adam Teske, by the way. I’m Griffin’s captain.”
“It’s nice to meet you,” I said, extending my hand to shake the amiable, middle-aged man’s proffered hand. “Griffin talks about you all the time.” That was a total lie. Griffin never talked about his work.
“See, you’re cute, but I don’t think that’s true,” Adam teased. “Griffin is a loner. The only reason we knew he was seeing someone was because Andrea told us.”
Ah, yes, Andrea Black. Griffin’s new partner was tall, willowy and annoyingly perky. I’d forgotten to ask whether she’d be here. Thankfully, I didn’t see her.
“I wasn’t hiding anything,” Griffin argued. “We just kind of keep to ourselves on weekends.”
“And that’s why I made him sign up for the softball league,” Adam said. “He looks like a natural athlete. When I first tried to talk him into it, he said he couldn’t because weekends were for you. He was thrilled when I told him the league was for cops and their significant others.”
“Oh, you’re cute, but I don’t think that’s true,” I shot back.
Adam guffawed, slapping his knee with his mitt as he doubled over. The other men and women joined in. Apparently I was putting on a standup show and didn’t even realize it.
“I like her,” Adam said. “She’s sassy.”
“That’s why she’s wearing the shirt,” Griffin said.
“This is my wife, Meredith,” Adam said, introducing the bottle-blonde at his side. She wore stylish yoga pants, and one look at her manicure told me she wasn’t going to be a threat on the field. She was only here to keep up appearances.
“It’s nice to meet you.”
Adam introduced me to the assembled men and women in turn, and when the men tried to separate Griffin from me a few minutes later I waved off his concern. If I could face wraiths, rogue reapers and back-from-the-dead mothers, snarky women in matching yoga pants would be a breeze.
“So, Aisling, how long have you and Griffin been seeing each other?” Erica Sanders dated one of the other detectives in Griffin’s unit. Her auburn hair was perfectly coiffed and her shoes didn’t have a scuff on them. That told me they were new and she had no intention of expending any real effort in the game. If you’re not going to play to win, why play at all?
“A couple months,” I replied, keeping a pleasant smile on my face as the women fawned over me.
“Your hair is just darling,” Meredith said. “Is it hard to keep up?”
“I go to the salon once a month. It’s actually pretty easy.”
“I heard you and Griffin spend practically every night together,” Jessica Franz, the wife of a uniformed street patrolman, said. “Do you think you’ll get married?”
“Oh, I don’t know,” I said, shrugging noncommittally. “We haven’t decided whether we’re in it for the long haul or just sex.”
Jessica’s green eyes widened
. “Oh my!”
“What do you do for a living, Aisling?” Meredith asked, opting for a safer topic. She was keen to get to know me. I couldn’t figure out why.
“My family owns an antiquities firm out of Grosse Pointe,” I replied, going with my already established cover story. It was on my arrest record, so I might as well stick with it. “I work for my father.”
“Oh, that’s nice,” Meredith said. “Is it good money?”
“I do okay.”
“Do you live by yourself?”
“I own a townhouse in Royal Oak with my best friend,” I replied, sensing danger.
“What does she do for a living?”
“He owns Get Baked in Royal Oak.”
Meredith stilled. “You live with a man? That can’t be good for Griffin’s ego.”
Thankfully, Griffin swooped in at that moment to rescue me. “What’s not good for my ego?” He slipped his arm around my waist and pulled me close. “Are you ladies talking about me?”
“They’re worried you’re jealous of Jerry,” I replied dryly.
Griffin snorted. “I see. For the record, I am not jealous of Jerry. I happen to like him a great deal.”
“But … your girlfriend is living with another man,” Erica said, wrinkling her nose. “How do you know they’re not doing it when you’re away?”
I disliked her from the moment I met her. She clearly had a crush on Griffin even though she dated one of his co-workers. She kept trying to touch his arm, which made me want to slap her. “Jerry is too busy doing it with my brother to do it with me.” The words were out of my mouth before I had a chance to think about how they would be received.
“Oh,” Meredith said, her tone knowing. “He’s one of … those … friends.”
What was that supposed to mean? “Jerry is … .”
Griffin slapped his hand over my mouth to silence me. “Jerry is a great guy who makes me breakfast seven days a week and happens to love Aisling,” he said. “Don’t try to stir up crap because you’re bored, ladies.” His tone was amiable, but there was warning attached to his words.