10. Grady
GRADY
Trying to study when Blake Wilson keeps dancing in my brain is nearly impossible.
Slamming back in my chair, I glare out the window.
I left the curtain open, even though it’s dark out, and my room is now a fishbowl.
I can’t even really see our neighbor’s house.
Right now, I’m looking at a reflection of my grumpy-ass face.
With the rain trickling down the glass, I look like I’m fucking crying.
Shit! Why won’t she leave me alone?
I don’t want to be into this girl at all.
But I can’t stop thinking about that look of mild panic on her face before I intercepted the guy at the pharmacy.
I didn’t see it at first, too caught up in the fact that he was yelling at her, but the more I think about it, the more I realize she was freaking out.
Being yelled at by anyone is unnerving. I’m grateful I was there, especially since she didn’t do anything wrong.
A niggle stirs inside me that I don’t even understand.
Shifting in my seat, I lean back over my laptop and try to focus, but there she goes again, her laughter flittering between my ears. Why did she think having a boyfriend was so damn hilarious?
Is she not into guys?
Her heated look when we checked each other out in the bathroom… nah, she’s into men. Or at least she’s into me.
We have a connection. There’s no denying it.
From what I can tell, it’s simply pure lust, because I don’t know this woman at all, so how can I possibly be romantically attracted to her, right?
I mean, I know what Wily’s told me. He adores his sister.
They grew up close. I don’t really know what that’s like.
Owen and I never really saw eye to eye, unless we were playing football, and then when our parents got divorced, the divide turned into the fucking Grand Canyon.
Jamar and Luis are so much younger than me, and even though they’re great kids, I’m never gonna be super close to them.
But Blake and Wily… they’re like best buds.
Which is why you can never go out with her.
Closing my eyes, I cup the back of my head with a heavy sigh.
I should be grateful for this unspoken rule. It’ll no doubt keep me out of trouble.
Although, a fling with Blake might be exactly what you need right now. It’ll help you get over Teah, right?
I growl, sitting up straight and hating myself for thinking that. I’m not using Blake like some rebound therapy. Fuck that!
Standing up, I kick my chair back and head for the door. I need to get out of here and go for a run or have something to eat.
I don’t fucking know.
I just need to move.
Slapping my laptop shut, I stalk to my door, grabbing my jacket off the hook and throwing it on. This is stupid. I don’t even know where I’m going. Teah and Mac might be at Offside, so that’s a no-go.
I could go to the library. Study there for a bit. Might be a nice change of scenery.
But I’ll no doubt still carry Blake and her pretty face with me.
Damn, she’s so fucking beautiful. Her big blue eyes, delicate features, and that waterfall of blonde hair.
Waterfall of hair? Man, would you shut the fuck up!
Closing my eyes, I try to inhale some sanity before trotting down the stairs and bumping into Wily, who’s limping out of the living room with Satch tucked under his arm.
“You good, brother?” I move in to assist.
“Yeah, we’re all good. Gonna get myself a sponge bath.” Wily wiggles his eyebrows while Satch turns beet red.
And I’m most definitely out.
He laughs at the look on my face. “Don’t worry. I don’t want your help.” He glances down at Satch, his heated gaze telling me enough.
This ain’t no simple sponge bath. Those two are gonna have themselves a little naked time in the bathroom, and I don’t want to know.
“I’ll… leave you guys to it.” I step back, steadying Wi ly’s arm when he takes another awkward step forward. “Do you need help getting there?”
“No, I’m good.” Wily winces, slowly shuffling forward.
He is getting better, I can see that, but I’m guessing the healing process isn’t fast enough for the guy. He’s not supposed to put any weight on that leg for at least another week.
I watch him hobble down the hallway with Satch supporting him.
I don’t know how she’s doing it. She’s so tiny compared to that giant, but somehow they manage.
Once they’ve disappeared into the bathroom, I move to put my shoes on.
I still have no idea where I’m going, and I’m almost relieved when my phone starts ringing.
Standing back up, I abandon my Nikes in order to take a video call from…
“Hey, Dad.” I grin at the camera. “What’s up?”
“Grady Boy. How are you, kid?”
He’ll forever call me kid, and I don’t even care. It’s always said with such warm affection that I can’t even be mad at him.
“Yeah, I’m great,” I lie, not wanting to dive into the torture that living in Football Frat currently is.
I could definitely talk to my old man about it.
I tend to tell him everything, but I know he’s been worried about me since my breakup with Teah, and I don’t want to get into it tonight. “How are things with you?”
He gives me an edgy smile. “They’re really good, actually.”
I frown. “What’s up?”
“Well…” he starts, but is interrupted when his girlfriend takes a seat beside him. She passes him a mug of st eaming… is that tea?… and he gives her an affectionate smile. “Thanks, baby.”
Emma grins at me while Dad kisses her cheek. “Hi, Grady.”
“Hey.” I smile back at her because, despite the fact that she’s fifteen years younger than my dad, making her closer in age to me than my old man, I really like her. She’s been so good for him. “So, what’s your news, guys? I know you’re sitting on something.”
Emma looks to Dad, her smile downright adorable as he gives me a cheesy grin and announces, “I’m moving in with this lovely lady.”
“Really?” I let out a soft laugh. “About damn time.”
Emma laughs. “We didn’t want to rush it, but we found the cutest little place a couple of weeks ago, and we’ve decided to just go for it.”
“So you’re both moving?”
“Yeah, that wasn’t the original plan, but this place is perfect for us, and we figured starting this next step with something fresh and new for us both was the right way to go.”
“That’s awesome.” I smile at them. “I’m really happy for you guys.”
“Thanks, kid.” Dad winks at me, but then his smile fades.
My gut twists. Is Mom giving him shit for this?
Because she has no fucking say anymore. Like she can talk.
She moved in with Emilio mere weeks after the divorce was finalized.
Probably because she was already pregnant with Jamar. We just didn’t know it at the time.
Anger roils through me until Dad’s explanation captures my attention. “…and we realized that’s the only weekend we’re free. So I’m really sorry, but I won’t be able to make it.” He winces, and I finally catch up to what he’s saying.
Well, shit.
“Bummer.” I try to not make him feel bad, but it’s impossible to hide my disappointment.
I was really looking forward to hiking with the guy.
He’s my outdoor guru. The one who taught me everything I need to know about the wild—how to hunt, track, use plants for medicine and food.
He taught me how to plan, navigate, where to look for danger, how to deal with animals, do first aid.
The guy is a legend in the outdoors… and I really wanted to spend this time with him in one of our favorite spots.
“We’re sorry.” Emma cringes. “I feel so bad. Life’s just gotten stupidly busy this month.” Turning back to my father, she starts to try and fix it. “I could just move the stuff by myself. I could get Tony and Lauren to help me.”
“No, baby. I don’t want you to have to do it all.” Dad puts down his drink so he can wrap his arm around her shoulders.
“I just feel bad.”
“Don’t,” I assure her. “I still have Carson and Tyrell coming with me. We’re gonna have a great time together. Unless you need me to delay my trip, and I can come and help you guys with the move.”
“No way.” Dad shakes his head. “You need to get into the forest for a few days. It’ll do you the world of good.”
“I can be there for you, though. I don’t mind.”
“Well, I do. Your spirit is yearning for nature, and I won’t get in the way of that. I’m just sorry the timing is working out this way. I was looking forward to joining you. But I promise to be there next time. ”
“Thanks, Dad. I’ll check my calendar so we can schedule something in.”
“Sounds good.” He rests his cheek against the top of Emma’s head when she snuggles against him.
“Thanks for letting me have your old man.” She gives me a wincing smile.
I laugh. “Anytime, Em. I know you’ll look after him for me.”
She smiles back. “Always. It’s my pleasure.” Leaning up, she gives him a sweet kiss on the lips, and I wrap up the call.
Shit, I’m surrounded by lovebirds at the moment. That would usually fuel my sappy, romantic heart.
But not right now.
I hate being single.
I miss having someone to snuggle with. Make plans with. Someone to call my own.
Fuck. I’m gutted that Dad can’t make the hiking trip.
But I am genuinely happy for him and Emma. They’ve been dating for over two years now, and I thought she’d move in ages ago, but they’ve taken their sweet time, Dad no doubt being overly cautious after everything he went through with Mom.
I don’t know if he’ll ever marry Em, but at least they’re moving in together.
Slipping my phone into my back pocket, I head back to the shoe rack. Maybe I’ll just go for a walk around the block. The rain has eased up, the fresh air will clear my head, and?—
Another phone starts ringing. I look over my shoulder. The sound is coming from the living room. It must be Wily’s or Satch’s. Do I take it to them ?
Wandering into Wily’s temporary bedroom, I notice the device lighting up on the coffee table and glance at the screen.