Chapter 25 Grace
GRACE
Strawberry Springs Neighborhood Watch
Mark Bell: The BBC made it through the night untouched, guys!
Comments:
Kelsey Marie: I—you know what. I’m better than this. I’m happy for you and your BBC.
Atticus Thompson: Are we really not talking about the . . . other thing?
Mark Bell: SHH! They’re watching.
Jade Clark: You’re on thin ice, Atticus.
Atticus Thompson: I just want to make sure she’s okay.
Wren Hackett: She’s all good. She’s gonna have a normal day.
Mark Bell: Good. Can we talk about how this might make Kerry explode?
Jade Clark: Approved.
Kerry Winsor: Why does everyone assume the WORST of me?
Kerry Winsor: @Wren Hackett, is Dean working with you today?
When I woke up the next morning, I wondered if the night before had been some sort of terrible dream.
But dreams made less and less sense as time went on . . . and Brooke having a meltdown about not getting to sing and telling everyone that I was pregnant? It did make sense. Because that was the kind of person she was.
Getting out of bed felt like I was getting ready for my funeral. I dreaded every step, but I couldn’t avoid it forever.
Dean’s words about the town caring helped, but I was not ready for all the questions. Deep down, I always knew that it would be coming from a place of care, but it would still be a lot.
I still had to face it.
When I came out of my bedroom, Brooke was in the living room.
Looked like I was facing this too.
“Finally,” she muttered.
“Seriously?” I snapped. I couldn’t help it. “That’s what you have to say to me?”
I expected her to bite back, but instead, her eyes went wide. “So, you’re mad.”
“No kidding.” I shook my head and brushed past her to go get a quick thing for breakfast and then leave.
“Wait, hang on.”
“What could you possibly say to make what you did okay?” I snapped.
“I got you breakfast.”
I paused. “You what?”
“It’s on the table. I had to drive way too far because Tammy wouldn’t serve me.” She rolled her eyes. “But it’s a few waffles and eggs.”
“Why?” I asked.
She shrugged, looking away. “Dean said you were mad. I guess he was right.”
I’d known she’d tried to follow me to my room and that he stopped her, but I’d gone to bed right after locking the door. I needed that time, and even with it, I hadn’t looked forward to facing her.
This was nicer than I’d expected.
“That wasn’t okay, Brooke. You have to know that.”
“Well, were you going to ever tell them?” she asked, throwing her hands up. “I got it out of the way.”
“That’s still not—”
“I know, okay? Dean already said I was wrong. So, I got breakfast.”
I stared at her. This was the closest I would get to an apology, and even this was more than I’d ever seen.
Just how had Dean gotten through to her?
“Thanks, Brooke.”
“It’s whatever. Enjoy it. I’m going back to Nashville.” She muttered it and went to get her purse. She got to the stairs in front of the door before she paused and looked back at me. “Just remember. I’m family. He’s not.”
And then she was gone.
I was still angry, but she’d tried, which was something. With a sigh, I went to the dining room where there was food left out. There was even coffee in a Styrofoam cup.
I had no idea how to feel, but I ate breakfast, grateful that I didn’t have to cook. Once I was finished, some of the anger had dissipated.
Now I had to deal with the town.
Slowly, I went to my closet and started to put together an outfit for the day. This was one of the few times I wanted to dress in something to help me blend in, not stand out.
But I fought that urge. I’d feel better in something pretty, and after a few outfit changes, I landed on a pink dress with a jacket, and knew this was the right choice.
My heart hammered as I walked the streets. I had to face this, but it was terrifying.
I passed by Marjorie first. I expected some smart-ass comment about getting knocked up, or a poorly made joke about pregnancy, but she only waved.
Next was Jackie. She waved and asked, “It’s getting warm, isn’t it?” and moved on.
Okay. Neither of them were at the bar, so maybe news didn’t spread too fast.
Then I saw Kerry. She was outside the diner, about to walk in. Her eyes met mine and she froze when she saw me. I figured she would run up and pepper me with questions. Instead, she squeezed her lips together and ran inside.
I paused on my walk. Kerry didn’t have questions? Since when?
Mark was walking from Food ‘n’ Things and nodded when he saw me. “Like the dress. The jacket might make it too warm, though.”
I looked down at my jacket. “Probably, but it makes it look better.”
I waited for the comment about pregnancy not helping, but he only laughed and walked into Bell’s Brews.
What the fuck was going on?
I knew this town and how they operated. There was no way they found out about me being pregnant and just let it go.
Collective amnesia was more possible than that.
I had barely opened the door before I heard fast, loud footsteps. Jade was running toward me, and in her combat boots, it was terrifying.
“Oh my God,” I said. “Is everything okay? Did Gabriel come back into town?”
“Funny, but no. I’m here to talk about you.” She looked around like she had contraband stuffed in her pockets. “Get inside. We need to talk.”
“What? Me?” I was pushed inside my store. “What did I do?”
“You didn’t do anything. It’s your baby daddy we’re talking about.”
“Please don’t call him that,” I said. The only person who could use daddy to refer to him was . . . I wanted to say me, but could I?
“Defensive, are we? You should be. That man was hot enough on the mechanical bull last night, but then he goes and gets even hotter.”
“Jade, are you about to ask me if you can sleep with him?” I rubbed my forehead. “Because I don’t think I can take that.”
“No.” She rolled her eyes. “He’s yours through and through. I’m telling you what he did at the bar.”
“I was there. He rode the bull.”
“I mean after Brooke told everyone you’re pregnant.”
“He helped you deal with Brooke, right? And fielded some questions?”
“He did way more than that. He basically whipped the whole town into shape so no one would bother you.”
“Dean did? The same guy who’s always smiling and would never hurt a fly?”
“Uh, yeah. He went toe-to-toe with Tammy of all people. And got Kerry in line!”
“Wh-what did he say?”
“He told everyone that they need to treat you like a person and not a story, and that neither of you owed them shit.”
I blinked as I tried to picture it in my mind. “I’m sorry . . . Dean did all of that? Is that why no one’s brought up the pregnancy?”
“Yeah. Not only did he go into hot and scary dad mode, but he did it for you. That’s kinda romantic.”
For a second, I agreed. No one had ever stepped up and done all of this before. It went beyond checking in. Dean had protected me.
“I . . . that’s really sweet. But I’m not getting any romantic ideas. I can’t.”
She shrugged. “But think about all he’s doing. He’s been here and—”
“Jade, no. I can barely handle my own life, much less being turned down in the way he’s turned down every other woman. I won’t be like them. He told me what he is, even if I see things that . . . don’t match up.”
I was getting worked up, so I let out a long breath instead of continuing. It was hard admitting that he was a great guy, and it was even harder to admit that I was terrified of getting turned down.
“It’s okay to admit you like him, though,” she said. “And if you’re serious about not pursuing anything, then there’s someone better out there.”
I flinched at the words. Was there someone better for me than Dean? I wasn’t so sure.
“You’re right,” I forced myself to say. “One day I’ll believe that.”
“You know what?” Jade said. “We should go get some coffee and open our shops late.”
“I’ve been late way too much,” I said with a shake of my head.
“You can do whatever you want now that Dean yelled at everyone, so live a little. We can get coffee and catch up. The Reserved Bean is slower today, so we won’t have to wait an hour.”
“All right, fine. Only because it’s incredible and I need a pick-me-up.”
“Yes!” she said before linking her arm through mine.
The shop was left closed as we walked to the coffee shop. Even for a slower day, there was still a line and most of the tables were full. Theo was at the front and Kelsey was working too, and she waved when she saw us.
For a second, her eyes trailed down to my stomach, but her gaze snapped back up just as fast.
“She won’t ask,” Jade said.
“I know. I just know what everyone’s thinking.”
“And what’s that?”
“That I fucked up.”
“You didn’t,” she said. “This kind of thing happens, even to people who don’t usually have one-night stands.”
“I just feel I should have done better. After Brooke, I wanted to be normal.”
“You don’t owe anyone anything. Especially not Brooke.” She left me to think about her words as she put in her order. “I’ll also get a regular coffee for Grace.”
I blinked out of my thoughts. “You don’t have to get mine.”
“I’m gonna do it anyway.” She waved her hand.
“Got it,” Theo replied. “But do you want the hazelnut cappuccino instead?”
“Definitely the hazelnut.”
Jade turned to me. “You changed your order?”
“Theo made a guess and was right.” I shrugged.
“Wait, you guess orders?” Jade asked. “What’s your call on me?”
“Lavender latte.”
“You have lavender?” she said with a gasp. “I’ll be taking that then.”
Theo nodded and changed both of our orders.
“How did I not know he worked magic?” Jade muttered as we walked to the pickup counter.
“He only told me because he guessed Dean’s order.”
“It’s a waste of a man, isn’t it?” Jade asked. “To be that hot and not date?”
“The same could be said for Dean,” Kelsey said as she put our drinks down. “But it’s true. Neither of them are my type, but I can appreciate the view. Someone recorded the bull riding last night.”
Both Jade and I gasped. “Who?” I asked.
“No idea, but boy, is it beautiful. I should have been there, but I’m adjusting to the new early morning schedule and struggling. Should I send it to you, Grace?”
“Oh n—”
“She’d love it,” Jade said. “You absolutely should.”
I glared, but didn’t disagree. It was the best reminder I had of the two times we’d slept together.
“I’ll send it, don’t you worry.” Kelsey winked.
“And on that note, I’m gonna get to work.” I took my coffee and sipped on it. “I’ll talk to you both later.”
“Enjoy your peace and quiet!” Jade said with a wave.
My walk back was both peaceful and quiet. A few people waved. A few people’s eyes wandered, but I was left alone.
Dean was a miracle worker. I so owed him one.
When I got to the shop, I messaged him.
Your next five coffees are on me. Thank you for what you said at the bar last night.
Dean
People are leaving you alone?
Yep. They’re all scared of Daddy Dean.
I didn’t think hard about what I said until after I’d flipped the sign and opened the shop. Then I realized he hadn’t answered, and I wondered if I pushed it too far.
Can’t really call you daddy if you’re younger than me. Ignore me.
Dean
You can call me whatever you want.
I stared at the message. This was the first sign of flirting in forever.
But he couldn’t mean it that way. Could he?
Then he messaged again.
Dean
When is your next appointment, by the way? That’s the anatomy scan.
I want to be there for that.
Will you still be in town?
I’ll make sure I am.
You could stay at the house. Brooke is gone.
I think I’ll take you up on that. I still have things to find and fix.
My heart picked up speed as I read his messages. Maybe I was reading way too far into this, but this was close to how we’d been when we first met, before responsibility got to us.
And I liked it more than I could say.