Total pages in book: 162
Estimated words: 158872 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 794(@200wpm)___ 635(@250wpm)___ 530(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 158872 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 794(@200wpm)___ 635(@250wpm)___ 530(@300wpm)
“I didn’t want anything to overshadow your prom.” Griff glances away for a moment, then turns to me with a smile that looks more pained than joyful. “But it’s been killing me not to share this with you.”
An uncomfortable sensation slides down my spine. Griff’s trying to appear cheerful, but it feels off. As if he’s trying to talk himself into believing whatever he’s about to share is positive.
“Okay,” I answer with a slight hesitation to my tone. “You’re not really selling it, though.”
“No, no. In the long run, it’s going to be good for us.” He nods once, still looking like he’s trying to convince himself. “Very good.”
Still not feeling reassured. “What is it?”
He turns so he’s fully facing me and curls his hands around mine. Now there seems to be more genuine excitement lighting up his eyes.
Why is only anxiety churning my stomach?
“This will sound wild, but I was approached to appear on a reality show about underground fighters—”
“What?” I squeal and throw myself forward and wrap my arms around his neck. “That sounds amazing. Wow…how did that even happen?”
“One of the producers saw some of the videos I’ve done for Sully’s gym.” He shrugs and ducks his head, but a smile still flickers over his lips. “I guess she thought I’d be a good fit.”
I’ve spent more time than I’d ever admit out loud watching those thirst traps Griff’s filmed to help promote his friend’s gym. None of the ones I’ve watched had much to do with fighting. “But they’re workout videos. How’d she know you fight too?”
He frowns for a second. “A lot of them are sparring videos where Remy and I discuss technique and stuff.”
“Oh.” A nervous giggle slips out of me. “I skip the ones that include Remy.” A streak of boldness overtakes me, and I stare him dead in the eyes. “I wasn’t watching for the fitness tips.”
I swear an actual blush creeps over his cheeks. “No? What were you watching them for?”
“You.” I reach for him and press my palm against his chest. He curls his fingers around my wrist and leans in, brushing a soft, ticklish kiss against my pulse point.
“I like that,” he murmurs against my skin.
My heart flutters. What were we talking about?
“Tell me more about the show?” I prompt.
He sits straighter but keeps his hand on mine. “They offered me a spot on a new show. They’re the real deal. They have a bunch of network reality shows.”
“So, it’ll be on television? Not some obscure website or app?”
“Yup.”
“Griff, is that safe? Those shows push drama for ratings. I know the fights at The Castle aren’t ‘legal’ but at least you have rules.”
“This has rules.” He stabs his fingers through his hair. “Trust me, I went through pages and pages of the rules in the contract.”
“Wait. A contract?” I slip my hand out of his grasp. “This is a done deal?” There’s more he isn’t sharing. I feel it in my soul.
“It looks like it.” He glances away. “I don’t have exact dates yet.”
“Dates? For what?”
“When I’ll be away.”
“Away?” I sit back in my chair with a thud. “For how long?”
He looks me right in the eyes. “Up to eight weeks.”
“Eight weeks…Two months?” I fight to calm myself. This is important to Griff. Huge for him. “Well, okay. I guess I’ll be getting adjusted to college and—”
“Shooting could start as early as the beginning of the summer.”
That soon? “But…you’ll be here for my graduation, right?”
He doesn’t look away. No, Griff touches his fingers to my chin and his steady gaze remains focused on me. “I’m not sure. Probably not,” he says gently.
“But it’s my graduation,” I insist, waving my hands around in frustration. “They’ll let you leave for something like that, right?”
“No. The set’s locked down. I’ll be able to call you once a week, but—”
“Once a week?” Tears sting my eyes. I work hard to swallow the lump threatening to close off my throat.
Then the truth rattles into me like a rusty shopping cart to the shins.
This is already in motion. It didn’t happen overnight. It had to be planned way in advance. Griff signed papers and has details.
All without ever saying a word to me.
“How long have you known about this?” I ask with a chilling calmness.
“A while,” he admits.
“Since before we got together?”
He runs his hand over the back of his neck. “Ah, officially? Or unofficially?”
“I don’t believe you.” Do I really mean so little to him? “How could you consider something so big and not even mention it to me?”
“I wasn’t sure I was going to do it at first. I needed to arrange some things. Make sure Remy would be okay without my help at the—”
“Wait, so Remy already knows?”
“Molly, we’re partners in The Castle. I can’t just up and leave without—”
“And what am I? Your dimwitted girlfriend who’s still in high school? The one you don’t have to tell about monumental decisions?”