Page 63 of Don't Fall For Your Brother's Best Friend

“He did? Why?”

“He’s not a nice man. He was drunk, causing a raucous at the high school once. Griffin and Callum had gotten into a fight with a few of the other kids, and his father was so angry. We didn’t see Griffin for a few weeks after that.”

Chills skate over me. “I love him, Mom.”

My mother wraps her arms around me. “Good. He needs a woman like you.”

“Like me?”

“Yes, a good woman who understands him. Who can love him for who he is.”

I think about my mother’s words, and it makes my heart beat in my chest harder for Griffin. “He said he loves me too.”

My mother’s eyes beam at me. “Good. I think you two are perfect for each other. Sometimes I feel like I know who my children are going to end up with, and I always knew you two would end up together.”

I laugh, swatting my mother’s arm playfully. “That’s not true.”

“It is. I knew Paxton and Hartford would end up together.”

I laugh harder. “We all knew that.”

“I know you and Griffin will end up together.”

“What about Callum? Is he ever going to meet anyone?” I can’t possibly imagine my oldest brother falling in love.

My mother sighs. “I honestly don’t know about him. Whoever he does get with will need to have the patience of a saint.”

“What about Brock and Millie? I think they’re cute together.”

My mother shakes her head. “No, Brock needs a challenge, and Millie needs somebody who can appreciate her.” My mother winks at me, and I glance at the clock on the oven.

“Oh shoot, I need to get going.” I give my mother another quick hug, and grab the box of chocolates to make my way to the brewery.

Make sure the tables are set up perfectly.

Tripp: Or what?

Griffin: Don’t be an ass, Tripp.

Tonight is so important for the future of the brewery. I can’t play around.

Callum: Agreed. And don’t worry, I’m personally making sure everything is up to par.

Thank you. I’ll be there in fifteen minutes.

Griffin: Can’t wait.

I glance down at the group chat, rereading Griffin’s text for the fifth time. Did he really mean for everyone to read that? The chat went silent as soon as his message delivered, and now I can't help but wonder if everyone is thinking it's weird. Is it just me overanalyzing, or did Griffin just drop a bombshell?

I hate that my mind is overthinking every single thing. What are my brothers thinking right now? The uncertainty is driving me crazy.

But at the same time, I feel this overwhelming urge to tell everyone about us. Why should we hide our relationship? I understand how hard it must be for Griffin to tell my brothers, but at the same time, I don’t see them caring whether we’re dating or not. They've always wanted me to be happy, right?

It’s none of their business, I remind myself. It’s nobody’s business but our own. Yet, a small voice inside me whispers that maybe, just maybe, sharing this part of my life could bring us all closer. Or, it could complicate everything.

I shake the feelings away and try to focus on the task at hand—the party.

I pull up to the brewery with tons of time to spare. We’re going to pull this party off without a hitch. The local paper ran a story yesterday, calling our brewery as a ‘new up and coming hang out spot’ and it did an expose on Callum and Griffin. It said Griffin, and I quote, ‘was a master in the kitchen.’