The Grind

Chapter 25

                                                                                            Colton

I figured parking the bike in the garage out of plain sight would be my best bet, just in case Tia spaced and happen to pass by Revel and let Livvy catch site of me there. As far as she knew, Cal and I were out at the bar for the first preseason Steelers game, grabbing a couple beers. I drafted Tia to persuade her into one measly night off from the unforgiving jump ropes and speedbags to go to some unrealistic, sickening, fucking chick-flick, and maybe allow her a little break from the diet with a drink. My real whereabouts had to remain unsuspected, at least for now. I planned on filling her in on all the secrets tomorrow night, and pray to God that it doesn't send her spiraling into a hissy fit just 5 days before her match with the Franklin Park gal.

I had never lied this much to anyone in my damn life, which didn't make the fact that Liv was the victim, any easier. I had prodded through her phone, snuck out on the porch two or three times in the last week to 'check the mailbox' that I had already emptied earlier in the day, so I could return a missed call. I bought plane tickets with my Paypal so she wouldn't see the transactions, and paid Mac 200 bucks to play chauffeur at the airport, all behind the back of the woman in my life. It was for her own good, and for my own peace of mind.

I opted to reach out to Liz first, stealing her number from her daughter's phone contacts, figuring if she and Tony were anything like my own parents, the lady of the house called the shots. I pleaded with her best I knew how, to promise we keep my little master plan hidden from Liv, and in typical female fashion, she whispered "oooh's" and "awwww's" about how I was just 'too sweet and romantic for my own good." Shit, you got a lot to learn about me, lady.

They flew in early this morning, and I gave Mac all their hotel info to pass along when he picked them up, so I could spend the day with Liv in peace, not having to duck out to handle a thousand phone calls. The Elliott's weren't happy about my fitting the bill for their visit to the 'Burgh, but I insisted on treating them like royalty for the week they'd be in my city. Anyone with Livvy's blood in their veins, deserved to be considered as such. No matter how strained the healing relationship between the three of them was, Tony and Liz were still her parents, and I'd give them that respect. Sure, the way they handled some situations with their daughter was lightyears beyond fucking foolish if you ask me, but that wasn't my battle to fight.

I figured Revel was a happy medium for dinner on their first night. It was just hoity enough to impress them, but not stuffy enough to overwhelm them. I had to scoot Liv out the door first, knowing the dress pants and button up Ralph Lauren would been a dead giveaway into my long list of fabrications this week. I had to work one-on-one with Tia to organize everything, directing her to keep my lady out late so I could get home first and change inconspicuously. But threaten her not to get Liv completely bombed so she wouldn't be hung over for the surprise breakfast with her parent's tomorrow morning. I only booked their hotel room for two nights, in hopes that this whole shebang wouldn't pop off in my damn face, and Livvy would let the two of them finish out their visit at our place.

Once my helmet was strapped and locked to the bike, I turned the corner into the main lobby of the restaurant to make my way to the hostess chair. I made sure my guests were seated already, and followed the direction to our corner table, wiping two very sweaty hands on the inside lining of my slacks.

God, please don't let them laugh me out of this place.

It was like looking straight into the face of Liv in 25 years when I locked eyes with Elizabeth, besides the blonde color of her hair not matching her child's now darker strands. I guess I hadn't noticed the stark resemblance over the video chat. I smiled at the two of them, I could feel it was awkward and forced but I hoped they'd return the gesture regardless. The couple stood, and I greeted the lady first, doing my best to always mind the Ritter manners.