Chapter 31
CHAPTER 31
E lla
Leaning over, I whispered in Graham’s ear.
“This is where the guys start going off about their father.”
“Do you believe that kid?” Simon asked.
“I do. He’s a Kind, Simon,” I said.
“I don’t think he’s lying,” Sam said. “I remember walking into the office one Monday morning and needing Darlene’s help with a job we were working on. When I went to her office, it was empty, and her desk was cleared. So, I walked down to our dad’s office and asked him what was going on, and he said that she called him over the weekend, quit, and told him she was moving back home to San Diego. I can’t fucking believe he paid her to leave town with company funds!”
“He couldn’t very well have taken it from his and Celeste’s account,” Stefan said. “Wouldn’t Julia question you if she noticed one million dollars was missing?”
“The man had hidden accounts everywhere,” Simon said. “I thought we were through with this bullshit after Claire.”
“You want to know the sad thing?” Sebastian said. “Now our younger sister is going through what we have through the years.”
“You heard her.” Shaun chuckled. “She thinks it’s cool.”
“What are we going to do?” Stefan asked.
“We’re going to get our hands on that letter, photos, and non-disclosure agreement,” Sam said.
“When Darlene worked for Dad, she knew he and Celeste were engaged,” Stefan said. “She even raved about Celeste and what a nice person she was.”
“That just goes to show you what kind of woman Darlene was.” Simon shook his head. “Unbelievable. I’m telling you all right now. That man will be my death. Nothing else in this world will put me six feet under but him.”
Standing up from my chair, I grabbed Graham’s hand. “We’re going home so you all can talk. He’s a Kind whether you want to believe it or not, and it sounds like he doesn’t have anyone else. No Kind ever gets left behind.” I pointed at each of them before Graham and I headed back to the house.
“Do we really need this right before the wedding?” Graham asked.
“I agree the timing sucks, but there’s nothing we can do about it now. Henry’s old dirty laundry has been aired.”
The front door opened, and Nora and Grady walked in.
“Can Grady hang out here for a while? I don’t think my brothers are ready yet. I have to go to Claire’s house. I want to be the one to tell her before they do.”
“Sure.” I smiled. “So, Grady, can I get you something to drink?”
“Water would be great.”
Graham reached into the refrigerator and handed Grady a bottle of water.
“Do you have any plans to stay in Los Angeles?” I asked him to sit down on the couch.
“Yeah. I’m attending UCLA. I’m studying biochemical engineering.”
“Wow. Impressive.” A smile crossed my lips. “Did you attend college in San Diego?”
“No. I was already enrolled at UCLA. I just took online courses while backpacking through Europe. I always planned to move to Los Angeles and start in-person classes when I returned from Europe. I didn’t plan on my mother dying in the process. I take it my brothers hate me.”
“No. Oh, God, no, Grady. That is not true. They’re just in shock.”
“Nora told me she’s going to UCLA too, which is kind of cool. I grew up an only child.”
“And now look,” Graham said. “You have seven siblings.” He grinned.
“Yeah. It’s so weird. I didn’t come here to cause any problems or family drama.”
“Oh, please.” I waved my hand in front of my face. “Family drama is our specialty.”
“I was just curious about them. Anyway, I’m going to head back to my hotel.” He stood up from the couch.
The sliding door opened. “Sit down, Grady,” Simon said.
“Yeah. You’re not going anywhere yet,” Sam said. “We need to see these photos, the letter, and the non-disclosure papers.”
“I can bring them by tomorrow morning.”
“Or better yet. How about we go with you to your hotel now,” Sebastian said.
“Yeah. Sure. Listen, I have nothing to hide,” Grady said.
“Then let’s go,” Simon said. “Shaun, you can drive with Grady, and we’ll follow you there.”
After they left, my dad walked in.
“It never ends with my Uncle Henry. Even from the grave and after all these years, he’s still creating chaos in this family.”
“Grandma Barb can never know about this, Dad,” I said. “Her state is fragile, and who knows what this would do to her.”
“But she and Henry were divorced when he fooled around with Darlene. It doesn’t affect her.”
“It doesn’t matter. It’s the fact that the boys have another brother they didn’t know about. It could set off a domino effect. It’s just best to say he’s a good friend of Nora’s.”
“If you say so, sweetheart.” He walked over and kissed my forehead. “I need to go home and tell your mother what’s going on. Night, Graham.”
“Night, Nathan. So, babe.” He gripped my hips. “Do we invite your new cousin to the wedding?”
“I suppose we should since he’s family,” I said, chewing my bottom lip.
The sliding door opened again, and Claire walked in.
“Where is he? Where is this supposed new brother?”
“Your other brothers went back to his hotel room to view the proof,” I said.
“Assholes. Why didn’t they come get me?”
“They probably want to be sure before bringing you into it.”
“Nora loves him already,” she said. “I thought I was the last.”
“I guess the biggest lesson learned here is that another Kind can pop up at any given time. At this point, it should be expected.” I laughed.
“I can honestly say I’m happy I never met that sperm donor,” Claire said.
One Week Later
T oday was my bachelorette party and Graham’s bachelor party. We both wanted to keep it with family, so we decided to take the boats out for the day. The girls and I would be on one boat, and the guys would be on the other. We’d sail our separate ways and meet up later.
Graham pulled up to the marina, and we climbed out. He gripped my hand tightly while we walked down to the boats.
“Say farewell to your bride-to-be!” Willow shouted from the boat. “Ella, come on! Get up here.”
I turned to Graham, reached up, and kissed his lips. “I’ll miss you.”
“Not as much as I’ll miss you.” His thumb swept over my lip.
“Dr. Malone, you two can celebrate later. Let’s get these parties started.” My Uncle Conner walked by and patted Graham’s back.
“The guys are calling, babe. I’ll see you later. I love you.” His warm lips met mine.
“I love you too.” I smiled as I climbed on the boat.
“Jesus. I never thought you two would break your lips away from each other,” Willow said.
“You just wait until you meet the man of your dreams.” I pointed at her.
“No bride would be complete without this.” My mom grinned as she put a white sash around me that read: Bride. “Or this.” She placed a tiara on my head.
We spent the day eating, drinking, dancing, and laughing.
“How do you think Grady is doing?” Alex asked. “I’m sure the guys are breaking him in on the Kind family ways.”
“I bet he’s having a great time.” I smiled.
G raham
Nathan walked over and handed me another beer. “Have you heard from your aunt yet?”
“Nah. I figured she wouldn’t come to the wedding. I didn’t even want to invite her, but Ella said it was the right thing to do.”
“It’s probably best she doesn’t come,” Nathan said. “Sometimes, we need to distance ourselves from the triggers that threaten our well-being. Listen, Graham. I know what you went through growing up was tough. We’ve all had a rough past, some rougher than others. But it’s how you move forward in life that matters. You’re doing a great job, and we’re all here for you.” He placed his hand on my shoulder.
“Thanks, Nathan. I never thought I’d be able to have a relationship with anyone. Your daughter changed everything for me.” I smiled.
“I can relate to that, son.” A grin crossed his face.
“Can I ask you something, Nathan?”
“Of course.” He tipped the bottle to his lips.
“How did Ella know that Grady was a Kind?” I looked over at Grady talking to Sam and Simon.
“I could never figure that out.” He chuckled. “She just knows somehow. I’ve learned over the years not to question it but to believe it.”
“What’s going on over here? You’re not scaring my future brother-in-law, are you, Dad?” Nicholas walked over and hooked his arm around Nathan.
“No, son. By the way. Is Brielle coming to the wedding?”
“Nah. I cut her loose. I’m keeping my options open. There’s going to be a lot of single ladies at the wedding.” He grinned. “What if someone catches my attention? I can’t be tied down.”
Nathan shook his head, and I laughed.
“Thank you, Nathan,” I said.
“For what?”
“For welcoming me into your family. It means a lot, and I wanted you to know.”