That Second Chance (Getting Lucky #1)(74)

I send her a quick text back.

Griffin: You have the sexiest pair of tits ever.

I smile to myself and then pull up the group text I have with my siblings, the one we keep Mom and Dad out of—mainly to protect their peace of mind.

Griffin: You’re all a bunch of assholes. Just remember payback is a bitch. You won’t know when it’s coming, but when it does, you’re going to regret ever fucking with me.

The responses are instant, every single one of them besides Jen probably waiting to hear from me.

Rogan: It was Reid’s idea.

Brig: Totally Reid’s idea.

Reid: Way to stick together.

Rogan: You’re the one who sent us a cock blocker GIF. You knew your intentions.

Reid: And you’re the one who laughed and asked what you could do to help.

Brig: Can I add that I felt bad? The man needs sex.

Griffin: You’re all dead to me.

Rogan: They were snuggled up in the truck together. Her hand was on his thigh.

Reid: Oh shit! Thigh action!

Brig: So close to the penis! Did she touch it yet?

Reid: Yeah, did she touch it?

Rogan: ^^ Did she?

Griffin: Stop referring to my penis as “it.”

Reid: But did she?

Brig: You don’t have to give details, just an outline of what happened.

Griffin: Over my dead body.

Reid: I think that’s a yes, boys—and girl.

Rogan: Nah, I don’t think she touched it. Griff still had some tension in his shoulders when I saw them. If she touched it, he would have been a little looser.

Griffin: I was tense because you came running up to me needing my help when I had other plans.

Brig: What were those other plans again?

Reid: Boning?

Brig: Don’t fucking say boning. Be a gentleman for fuck’s sake. Were you going to make love?

Reid: They can’t make love unless they’re in love.

Rogan: ^^True.

Brig: Are you guys in love?

Rogan: Good question.

Reid: Excellent question. Are you?

Griffin: No. Christ, what is wrong with you guys?

Brig: It was a valid question. You’re so closed off. We can’t read your mind, Griff.

Reid: But you were going to have sex, weren’t you?

Rogan: Just answer the question and we’ll leave you alone.

Griffin: Are you drunk, Rogue? When have you ever been interested in this shit?

Rogan: Just want to see my big brother happy.

Brig: Awww.

Reid: I think I might cry.

Griffin: Fuck off, all of you.

Brig: Just answer the question.

Griffin: Fine, yes, we were going home to get away from you nitwits so we could have some fucking privacy. So thanks for ruining that.

Reid: Baby laughing and falling over GIF

Rogan: Shaquille O’Neal shimmy GIF

Brig: Eighties aerobic teachers humping air GIF

Jen: Dawson’s Creek crying poor baby GIF

Grinding my teeth together, I pocket my phone and let out a deep sigh. Just chalk up today as another day I wish I were an only child.

God, how I wish I were an only child right about now.



“Thanks again, honey. We really appreciate you coming in today and staying late to help with the books.”

“Yup,” I say, a little terser than I would have preferred, but fuck, I’m not only hard up and tired, but I’m at my breaking point. I spent the afternoon and evening running around being the bitch boy, restocking, taking out the trash, and cleaning every last surface because my dad thinks making a mess is okay when he’s working.

It’s not.

Health-code violations and all that bullshit, so basically I was following closely behind him with a dustpan, cleaning up every last crumb he dropped on the floor.

I’m fried. All I want is to go to Ren’s house and spend the night in her bed.

“Dad went home to make some chili. Want to head on over to the house and have a bowl with us?”

I lean down and give my mom a hug and a peck on the cheek. “I’m actually going to head home. I’m beat.”

“But you’re going to eat dinner?”

I nod. “Yeah, maybe I’ll have Bart deliver me something.”

“Bart gave himself the upper hand when he added Uber Eats to his résumé. Wallace bitches and complains but does nothing about it. He should take a page from Bart’s book.”

Ahh, small-town life.

“He’s stubborn, Mom. I wouldn’t count on it.” I step toward the door and give her a wave. “I’ll see you tomorrow. Love you, Mom.”

“Love you, Griffin.”

Once I’m out of the shop, I quickly pull out my phone and shoot Ren a text.

Griffin: On my way.

My phone buzzes back right away.

Ren: Thank God. I thought you weren’t going to come over. That maybe you forgot.

Griffin: Believe me, there was no forgetting. That was the longest four hours of my life.

Ren: Mine too. I can’t wait to see your handsome face.

Griffin: I’m staying over. Just making that known right now.

Ren: I expect nothing less. As long as I get three hours of sleep, I’m good. Classes start Wednesday, so I don’t have to be fully functioning.

Griffin: Just what I need to hear. Be there in five.