Grip Trilogy Box Set - Kennedy Ryan Page 0,244

her eyes. “Next time, you boil.”

I take in her friendly face like a balm to the abrasions from my conversation with Jade. The first time I was in this house, Grip’s mother and I weren’t friendly. We didn’t exchange smiles, and there was no affection slowly growing between us. It’s been baby steps for us, both of us loving Grip and wanting to know and like each other for his sake. If I can have this with Ms. James, I have to believe one day I’ll have it with Jade, too. This warmth I’m basking in between Grip and his mother, the sense of family with them in this kitchen and permeating the entire house—I want it. I never had it for myself growing up, and I’m adopting it as my own.

I lean into Grip’s chest, tucking my head into his neck and smiling at his mother, who watches us with eyes warmer than I ever thought they would be.

“You’re right, Ms. James.” I give her a quick nod, returning her smile. “Next time.”

Chapter 9

Grip

BRISTOL’S laugh hooks me from across the yard, drawing my attention from the abysmal hand of cards I’m holding. If you’re playing Spades and all your cards are red, that’s not good. These cards are bleeding, but at least Bristol is still having fun. It’s amazing the wonders food and alcohol can work. With a full belly and a bottle of beer, she’s seated in a circle of lawn chairs, shoes off, hair tumbled from the knot she had it in earlier. She throws her head back, the muscles in her throat contracting to push out the sound that takes over everything else, at least for me.

She’s sitting with Shon and several of the girls I’ve known all my life. Once they realized Bristol knows everyone in the music business and manages many of its hottest stars, she became really popular. They wanted all the gossip she could divulge. Talk of music quickly shifted to her shoes, her bag collection, where we’ll be living in New York, all the details of our so-called glamorous life. Bristol isn’t one of those women who has lots of friends. Over the years, she has hand- picked a tight circle of people she trusts and would do anything for. Under the prickliness, and when she sets her mind to it, she’s all charm. She has my lifelong friends eating from her hand and hanging on her every word.

Bristol was nervous and stiff at first, and I can’t blame her. This isn’t an easy group to jump into. Some are territorial, many mistrusting, and a few just downright biased when it comes to white women. But, they’re also the most loving, supportive, give-you-the-clothes-off-their-back people you’ll ever meet. They’re my family, with or without blood. I know some of them don’t like or understand that I’ve chosen to spend my life with Bristol, but that’s all based on shit assumptions. I’ve seen too much good in their hearts to believe they’ll hold on to those notions once they see how much I love her and how good she is for me, once they see how much she loves me, and that is one thing Bristol can’t hide. My dick twitches when I remember her confessing her possessiveness in the kitchen. This party is for me, but I’m wondering how soon we can be out. I leave tomorrow for New York, and Bristol won’t be able to join me there for at least the next week or so. With Kai’s debut album dropping Tuesday, Bristol can’t and won’t leave her side.

So, I’m thinking we should probably fuck a lot before I leave.

“Man, it’s getting late.” I lay my awful hand of cards facedown on the table. “You guys still into this game or you wanna call it?”

Please call it so I can take Bris home.

“Oh, no. We’re finishing this, ese.” Mateo, my friend since elementary school, wrinkles the folds of skin above his brows into a frown. “You always trying to get ghost when you have a sorry hand. I know you.”

I roll my eyes and, resigned to finishing this crappy game, pick up the blood-red cards.

“Maybe if you concentrate on the game,” Mateo says, never looking up from his hand, steadily shifting cards around, “instead of drooling over your girl, you and your partner wouldn’t be in the hole.”

“I’m focused,” I say, distracted again when Bristol gets up and crosses the yard toward us.

“I meant focused on the game. I give you