“Babe!” I called out, peering into the pantry once more and reshuffling bags of chips to try to find what I knew should be in here. “Did you move my coffee?”
“Huh?” he asked, walking up behind me and sliding his hands easily along the curve of my hips, pulling me back against his morning glory. “What did you say?”
“Did you drink my coffee?” I asked, giving up on searching as there was no sign whatsoever of the golden box containing my butterscotch latte.
I yawned. I was tired and could not start my day until I at least had one of my Nescafè coffee sachets. Some people have a coffee and a smoke first thing in the morning, like Griffin, and some go jogging. Me? I had a flavoured latte and never let myself run out. It was probably borderline obsession, but I had multiple coffee flavours and no one could touch them. It was the only thing in this house that everyone stayed away from.
Unless… someone had been sneaking around and taking them without telling me. No guesses who that could be.
Griffin could never understand why I liked them so much when we had an espresso maker or that I was a qualified barista. It was just something I liked. Coffee making all day was my job, but when I came home, I prefer not to make coffee.
Turning, I looked up at Griffin who was also half-asleep and leaning against his arm that rested on the pantry door frame over my shorter body. His chest was bare and warm as I pressed my cheek against his skin.
His hands stroked down my skin softly, brushing through my long hair. “I know better than to touch your coffee. Could you have…” He let his question linger in the air.
My head snapped backwards, and my eyes narrowed. “I never run out.”
“Would you like me to go buy you another box?” He raised a brow. “The boys wouldn’t have touched it. They’re too young for coffee. Hell, they think you’d skin leather off them if they touched it.”
“Did anyone else come into the pantry while I was at work yesterday afternoon?” I asked, not wanting to say her name. She already took the milk; just what else has she been helping herself to? I noticed I was running low on my coconut face scrub too, but I did not peg her for the type to use those.
“No.” There was no hesitation in his firm answer.
He knew I would be pissed as hell if she was coming over here while I was away and vice versa. We had a major deal breaker in our relationship, and I was not kidding around when I let him know what that was. Unless it was for an absolute emergency, like a house on fire or one of the kids being unconscious, there was no need for it.
“Well, I must have run out then,” I said under my breath. I knew I had not.
Spinning on my heels, I was ready to go back to bed. That was until Griffin wrapped his right hand around my left elbow, spinning me around and hauling me up and over his shoulder. I let out a laugh and squealed at the same time.
“We’re going to the shop!” He announced, carrying me towards the front door. “My girl wants coffee, and she gets whatever she needs.” He made me sound like a spoilt brat. He did spoil me well, though.
“No! I haven’t even showered yet. We’re not even dressed.” I looked a damn awful mess with my hair sticking out all over the place.
Halting in his footsteps, he took a detour and picked up a white shirt from the pile of laundry I needed to wash, and we were back on our way to the front door. Outside, the rain pelted down hard. It was freezing cold, but I knew better than to think he would turn and go back inside. Dashing to the car, he opened my door and practically dropped my body onto the front seat with a thud.
After pulling the shirt on over his head as he sat in the driver’s seat, he looked over and winked. “Sorry for getting you wet. Well… your hair and clothes.”
“You think you made me wet elsewhere?” I asked, leaning over the centre console towards him.
“Because I am extremely soaked from the rain, and that’s it.” I broke out into laughter as I pulled away and sat with my back to the leather seat.
“Not funny,” he murmured with a grin. His hair was flat, and droplets of water covered their ends, dripping onto his shirt. “Let’s go get this damn coffee, so you’re awake enough to fuck without yawning the entire time.”
I could not believe he brought that up. I threw my arms out in front of me to make a point as I snapped back at him. “It happened once, and I had barely slept two hours. Maybe you should have done a better job at keeping me focused.”
Faking hurt, he shook his head with a grin. “Ouch, baby. You hurt me hard.”
The trip to the store went longer than intended. A stop in at a McDonald’s drive-thru, and we were on the way to the store. Griffin came out holding a large white Coles bag. I expected one box, but he had grabbed four and a couple of others.
“On sale?”
“No. I just didn’t want to listen to you complain anymore.” He winked, and I slapped his thigh. “They were on special.”
Good boy. I was training him well. “Thanks, baby.”
The rain had not eased up when we returned home. Griffin had one meeting with building contractors that was keeping him busy of late. He had designed the most beautiful home out of the city that would sit on a couple of acres. Griffin had left before the kids finished school, and then we were set to leave to my parents for the night. It was a two-hour drive including traffic, and we wanted to get there earlier, rather than drive in the rain through the night. With a kiss goodbye, my man left for work, I gave the house a quick clean up and then packed us an overnight bag.
It had been a huge deal for me to move out of their home. Being an only child, I was extremely close to my mum. For them to accept my relationship with Griffin without judgement was the type of people they were. They were both extremely supportive.
In the middle of vacuuming, my phone buzzed, and I did not think much of it. Ten minutes later, when I finally got around to reading the message, I freaked out.
I’m going to be later than thought. Can you get the boys from school?
“Shit!” Holding my arm out, I glanced down at my wrist and looked at my black watch. I needed to leave now.
Racing outside, I had the car in reverse before I clipped my belt and headed off to the school. Hopefully, the boys were not waiting too long.
I gathered my hair in my hands as I tried to shield the rain from soaking my straightened locks. Whoever does their hair when there’s a storm outside was a total moron. Yep, I was one of those girls who liked my hair straight then cried about it when it got wet. My own stupid fault.
They were both standing at the gate under the bus shelter when I came to a halt in front of them. Mack was sitting on the bench seat with a book in hand, and Toby was leaning against the post, watching the cars pass by.
“I am so sorry!” I was not too late but late enough to know I should have been here sooner.
Toby bent down and grabbed his black Rip Curl bag, slinging a strap over his shoulder. “Where’s Dad?”
“He got stuck in work. Did you have a good day at school?” I asked, trying to exchange some pleasantries with them. “I really am sorry that I’m late.”
Mack stood and shoved his book into his bag. “You’re not really. We only got let out.”
Still, I felt terrible. I had never actually picked them up from school before, and it was not because Griffin did not trust me. It had everything to do with their mother thinking that I could not be trusted enough to collect them from school.
“Well, let’s head home. Do you boys need anything to take to your mum’s?” I asked.
“Nope,” Both replied.
Seeing as though I had this time alone with them, my curiosity piped up, and I could not help myself from asking them. “Hey, you know my coffee’s… Did you drink any today? Or last night?” I asked. “Did Dad have one?”
Mack frowned, confused. “I’m not allowed coffee. Dad said it’ll make me hypo.”
“Toby?” I asked, in the sweetest voice possible while still grinning. “I won’t get mad. I’m just asking.”
“And I’m just saying that no, I didn’t either. Dad said you’d kick our ass if we touched them.”
“He didn’t say that!” I gasped. “When did he say that?”
“Before you moved in. I don’t like coffee, anyway.” Toby just shrugged and dug into is school bag looking around for something.
There was not much talk after we arrived back home. They sat up at the kitchen table and did their homework. Toby was doing his own. Shocker! By the time Griffin was on his way home, the boys were on the couch and watching a movie as I sent Mum a text, letting her know that we would be leaving soon.
She was so excited to have us back there. Apparently, Dad had been marinating the steaks all day and brought the marshmallows and chocolate for me. He knew me well.
When Griffin came home, he walked silently over to the fridge, reaching for a beer but then put it back and chose coke instead. Taking his usual seat beside me on the couch, he stretched out and closed his eyes.
“Can we come over later and play the Xbox?” Toby asked, looking hopeful.
Sighing, Griffin shook his head and opened both his eyes. “Sorry, you’re at your mum’s so you know you’re not allowed.” When they were there, they were not allowed here. “Anyway, we won’t be here. You know I’m going to Ayla’s parents for the night, so if you need me, just call.”
Mack looked up, his eyes wide. “When can we go visit her mum and dad?”
I smiled at him. “Maybe over the school holidays, if that’s alright with your dad.” And if your mother allowed it, I added in my head.
Toby turned to face us. “Will they let us swim in their pool?”
“Course they will. No one else uses it.” I assured him. They both were treated like my parent’s grandchildren, spoilt and loved.
“Sweet. Dad, can we go there?” Toby asked him.
Laughing, Griffin nodded. “Yeah, we might go away for the holidays on a camping trip or to the snow. I’m sure we can stay there on our way through.” His hand squeezed mine. “You boys need to go get your bags. Your mother’s probably waiting.”
Their smiles slightly faded, and Mack murmured, “Do we have to go?”
“I’m sorry, you know that you do.” It must be so hard to have to live between two homes. To see them upset now and then was difficult to digest.
They both dragged their feet, walking down to their bedrooms.
Turning to Griffin, I gave him a smile and straddled his lap eagerly. “Do you know what we get to do tonight?”
“Fuck in a hot tub?” His voice was low and seductive as his hands slid over my thigh, trying to pry my thighs with his rubbing fingers.
“You’ve got a way with words, but no.” He was right; we probably would fuck in there, but that was not it. “We can roast marshmallows over the fire pit.”
A laugh escaped, and he shook his head. “Sometimes, I forget how old I really am with you. That, or how young you are.”
“Not old, baby, just wise.”
Before his hand could slide any closer, the boys walked out with their backpacks and a sullen look on their face. I offered them each a smile as we stood up to say goodbye. We would see them again come Sunday night, anyway.
Griffin gave Toby’s brown hair a ruffle and then gave him a kiss on the forehead. “Be good.”
“Can’t we come with you?” Mack asked quietly as I hugged him. “Please.”
He was breaking my heart right now. “Oh, buddy. I promise next time you can come, yeah?”
“Promise?”
I was not sure if I had the right to promise him something, part of me wanted to say ‘hell yeah, bud.’ But the other part was always reserved as I was not his mother. My eyes flickered to Griffin. I caught him staring, and he gave me a nod.
Giving him a kiss on the cheek, I pulled away, bending slightly to take hold of his blue backpack and hand it up to him. “Promise.”
Both their faces brightened. Hugging their dad, they walked to the front door, and Griffin followed to wave them off. Even if they were just going across the road, it was still hard to see them leave, especially for two nights. They would be back Sunday, and I was going to tackle a roast… not like my last one, where it turned into roast chicken and toasted cheese sandwiches. Kind of forgot to put the vegetables on, and no one really wanted a baked dinner at eight pm. The chicken tasted great, though.
Scratching my leg as I let out a yawn, I flopped back down on the couch. “I’m stuffed.” I could see the smirk he was trying to fight off, and I raised a brow. “Just say it,” I said with a groan.
Shaking his head, Griffin laughed. “Wasn’t going to say anything, dear.”
“Liar.” I rolled my eyes. “You were going to say, not yet, but you will be soon.”
“My girlfriend, such dirty words coming out of that sweet little mouth.” Standing, he outstretched his arms for me to take his hand. He helped me stand and pulled me flush against his chest. “Your mouth needs a good stuffing.”
Laughing, I nodded as I pressed my mouth against his, pulling away just enough to speak. “Yeah, it does.” Wiggling my brows, I bumped my hips against his and flexed into him. “Quickie?”
He groaned, and before I knew it, he was already lifting me up and carrying me to the kitchen counter.
***
The car was loaded. I slid in the front seat, waiting for Griffin to lock up the door and drive us to my parents. I was excited to have the days off and was sure as hell looking forward to a night away with the two of us. No one to barge in, take our things, and then complain about nothing.
Or so I thought.
She was charging down the stairs, wiping her nose with a tissue and then shoving it into her bra strap. She walked over the driveway and stood right in front of the car window. Her hands were on her hips, and her eyes gave me that glowering look of hell.
I motioned with my hands, and I mouthed what to her. If she were nice, then maybe I would be nice back, but no. I did not think she even knew what nice was. Not to me, anyway, and I had not even done anything wrong to her. She motioned back, wanting me to get out of the car. I did. She then came at me like a hound dog ready for its feast.
“Griffin is inside. He’ll be—” I did not know why I bothered speaking when she always cut me off.
“What the hell do you think you’re doing?” She menacingly growled, so low that I could hear the venom behind each word. “You’re not their mother. You’re nothing to them, so back the hell off.”
Ouch. That fucking hurt. “I’m nothing?” I was more than nothing. I was the woman her kids wanted to stay with this week. “Watch your mouth around me.”
“Or what? Going to hit me?” She scoffed and followed it up with a loud sniff. She obviously had a cold, which grossed me out. “You’re obviously not getting the memo. Fuck off!”
“Hey, enough!” Griffin came and took a step between us. “I asked Ayla to pick them up. If you’re going to get pissed at someone, then do it at me.”
Her eyes widened as he cut her off sharp. “Pissed?” She laughed, mocking him. “Why didn’t you get them from school?”
“I was unable to get away from work on time, and I trust her enough with our sons,” he firmly said. I hated that they were theirs. They had the family, and I just tried to fit in. “She lives here; it makes sense that she collects them from school if need be.”
Her eyes returned to normal. “I could have gotten them from school. I’ve been home all day!”
“Well, I didn’t know that, did I?” He raised his voice back. “Can’t do a fucking thing right, never could!”
“I told you I didn’t want her picking them up from school.”
“Too late for that,” I muttered underneath my breath, not meaning for her to hear.
“Shut up!” Karen spat. Pointing a finger, she pushed hard into Griffin's chest. “I told you that I didn’t want your play thing anywhere near my sons. It’s bad enough she moved in with you. I refuse to have her collecting them from school.”
“I’m right here you know,” I grumbled, getting annoyed that we were already running behind time.
Griffin nodded towards the car, giving me a pointed look. “Wait for me in the car.”
“I’m not—”
“Ayla.” He warned, his tone final.
Oh, like hell he was going to speak to me like this. I was not a child. If my looks could kill, he would have had a serious concussion right now. I closed the car door with a harsh thud, more loudly than I should. It was hard to sit and not watch them. They were fighting yet again. I could hear everything she said. She was yelling and pointing towards me, and he was standing there not saying much. This would have been the perfect time for him to fight back.
When he did come back to the car, I was on my phone texting Mum, saying that we were on our way.
Ten minutes into our drive, he spoke again, “How long are you going to ignore me for?”
I had been giving the silent treatment to him. Petty, I know. But, I was a girl, and sometimes we held grudges. Instead of speaking, I swivelled my body and looked out the window as the sunlight began to dim and turn into a glorious sunset.
It did not stop him from speaking to me.
“So you’re angry?”
Of course, I was angry.
“Come on. I didn’t mean to raise my voice at you.” This time, he reached over and rubbed my leg. He was not going to give up.
Trying to push his hand away, I finally answered. “You scolded me like I was a child playing up and needing a time out.”
A sigh escaped his lips, and he gave my thigh a squeeze. “I didn’t mean to.”
“You never defend me.”
“I do.”
A shook my head. “No, you don’t.” He knew he didn’t. “She was so rude to me, and I didn’t do anything to deserve that! I may not be their mother, but I shouldn’t be treated like a girl you sometimes fuck.”
“Don’t say that, Ayla!” He warned with a growl. “You’re not just a casual hook up. You know that.”
I was quiet for a moment, then placed my hand over his for him to link our fingers together. “She hurt my feelings, Griffin,” I said, my voice so soft. “My feelings were hurt, and I didn’t do anything wrong. I didn’t know she would react like that about the boys, but I drive them to town, and I don’t see why I can’t take them to and from school.”
Heaving another sigh, he shook his head and lifted my hand up towards his lips. “I don’t know either. You know how she gets. She threatened to keep the boys away longer.”
She could not do that. “You can do something about that.”
Placing another kiss to my knuckles, he dropped our hands, so they were in his lap. “Let’s talk about something else. I don’t want to fight with you. Not when we’re going to your parents.”
He knew I was right, but he had never taken her to court. I think he was afraid that they would take one look at him being tatted up with piercings and judge him by that. He was a good father, and I just wished he would see that.
I also wished that his ex-fiancée would not hassle us this trip. Ha, one can only hope, right?