Chapter 26
TJ
TYPICAL CROWD
I’ve been here for ten minutes and I already want to leave. Unfortunately for me, it takes Miles, Vince, and Stan less than that to find and corner me. So I’m forced to watch Grace from a distance.
To my pleasant surprise, she looks more than happy making the rounds to say ‘hi’ to people and checking out the old building with Jake. Watching her, it makes my heart swell with admiration that she can be so kind to complete strangers with such ease.
Right now, she’s with my brother talking to Slade and Sutton.
I have to do a double take because I’m pretty sure she just made Slade laugh with her joke.
I love the Sterling brothers. They’re the best kind of people, but I was also pretty convinced that Slade was incapable of laughing given his generally surly demeanor.
Instead, she has him wrapped around her little finger cackling like a schoolboy.
It’s also killing me that I’m not owning that we’re dating.
I know we both said that we don’t want everyone to know yet until we have a better grasp on where this is going.
I can’t help the feeling though that it’s my fault we can’t be more open about it because of who I am.
Even now, the press is far too interested in my life for my liking and I don’t want her getting dragged into that with me.
That’s especially true because I want her to tell her family on her terms.
Deep down, I know where I want this to go. Part of me has known it since the day she plunged into my life, splashing color into the still, stagnant waters I was content existing in. I want her in my life — every day, everywhere, every breath.
Vince pulls me into a one armed hug, patting me on my back, and bringing my attention to the trio I knew I couldn’t avoid tonight.
“Look at you. It’s like you hardly age. What’s your secret, man?” Vince asks, taking a sip from his pint glass. I raise an eyebrow when I see that it’s surprisingly filled with water instead of a double Jack and Coke.
“Diet, exercise, and avoiding stress,” I say, playing with the pop tab on my Rainier beer.
Stan snorts a dismissive laugh. “Still our goody two-shoes I see.”
“Boys!” Miles chimes in with that always too cheery tone that is like nails on a chalkboard for me now. “Look at this. It’s so good to see the three of you back together.”
He grins at us and I can see that familiar look in his eyes. The one that could easily be mistaken for joy, but really screams dollar signs below the surface. I shift on my feet, taking another sip of my beer.
“Yeah, it really has been a while,” I say dryly, forcing a smile.
Stan grabs my shoulder and gives me a light shake. “So are you in for this reunion tour or not, TJ? Miles said he has some great venues lined up if we’re all in.”
“Wow.” I laugh through my nose. “Really going right into this without any foreplay, huh?”
Somehow, the thought of Grace’s little quip brings a smile to my face.
Stan rears back in surprise. “Wow, he’s got jokes now too.”
“Well, some of us do evolve, I guess.”
Miles clears his throat, bringing our attention back to him. “Stan’s right though. This would be an amazing chance. There’s huge interest right now in grunge again.”
Vince nods. “Yeah. What do you think, man? We’d really love you back.”
There it is. It doesn’t take a genius to read between the lines.
All three of them need me to come back because there is no reunion without me.
And if there’s no reunion, there’s no payday for them.
Unlike them though, I didn’t piss away every penny because I knew what it was like to have nothing growing up.
I shrug, hearing Grace’s words in the back of my mind again. Say yes, or say fuck ‘em. Right now, I’m definitely leaning toward fuck ‘em even though part of me really wants to give them a chance.
I start to talk until I see Stan’s eyes drift to something behind me. He lets out a low whistle and I peek over my shoulder reflexively. Out of the corner of my eye, I see that familiar blur of color streaked hair heading toward me and my blood boils.
Fucking Stan definitely hasn’t changed.
I turn to face Grace right as she reaches me.
“Hey, Boss,” she says, her voice instantly brightening my mood. I start to reach toward her, desperate for any contact, but bury my hand in the pocket of my jeans instead. I turn back to the guys, noting the curious looks on all of their faces.
"Can you guys give us a minute?”
Thankfully, they all head over to the makeshift bar set up along the exposed brick wall in the back, leaving me with Grace.
“Are you OK? Is everything alright?” I ask, nervous about why she came to find me.
She laughs through her nose. “Me? Totally fine. This kind of stuff is easy. I can do Socialite Grace all day.”
I tilt my head and pause. “Easy? I hate this shit.”
She gives me a proud grin and takes a drink from her champagne flute, bringing my eyes to her lips. “I think you forget I have been to quite a few fancy fundraisers in my time. There are plenty of rich and famous people back in Park City. It’s worth it though if it means helping people.”
That reminder of how much she cares about others warms my heart and eases the tension in my shoulders.
She lowers her glass and her eyes find mine and her brows pull together. “How about you though? You look miserable over here. That’s why I snuck away.”
I shrug half-heartedly. “I don’t know. It’s going about as I expected. Vince seems like he’s doing better though.”
She smiles and rests a hand on my shoulder. “Then don’t worry about it. You’re here for the restaurant. Giving them a chance was just an added bonus. It’s their fault if they blew it.”
I shake my head and snort a laugh.
She quirks her lips into a smile and pulls back. “What?”
“Sometimes I forget how old you are.” Her hand still rests on my shoulder and all I can think about is how much I’d like for her to rub my cheek. Instead, I take advantage of the noise of the crowded room and drop my voice. “You look great tonight by the way.”
“OK?” She squints and her eyes drop down, looking at her denim overalls that hug her hips just right, her white ribbed tank top, and a familiar, large flannel shirt. She hums in confusion. “I’m just dressed how I always am.”
“Exactly.” I tilt my head toward the crowds around the open, former industrial space. “You’re the only one here not trying to show off. Also, is that my shirt?”
She smirks. “Was your shirt.”
I lean forward, tilting my head to the side.
We’re on the edge of being far too close in public for people that are just supposed to be working together, but I honestly don’t give a shit now.
Looking at her, it’s impossible not to admire how happy and confident she is. She looks like none of this phases her.
It's taking every ounce of my self control to not grab her by the waist and pull her into me. It reminds me what drew me to her in the first place.
7 Months Earlier
Cracking a molar wasn’t on my list of things to do this morning, but my jaw clenched like a vice while I try to keep my eyes focused on the river and not stare at her. She’s still standing next to me, humming thoughtfully, looking out on the river to the same place as me.
“So this is where you come to think?” she asks.
I nod. “I like this spot. There’s one a lot like it by my house in Jackson too. I don’t know. It sounds silly, but my mind is just clearer around the water. Also, aren’t you cold?”
“I’m good right now. I brought a robe for when I get out,” she says with a light, airy laugh. “It’s mountains for me though. The crazy squirrels in my brain seem to calm down when I’m out in the mountains.”
I dare to peek out of the corner of my eye, catching a glimpse of her face.
Water is still dripping from her hair and bangs, running down over her face.
Even with her sun-kissed skin from long days skiing in the winter, her freckles still stand out.
Her beautiful green eyes shimmer like the perfect water around us.
She smiles, bringing my eyes to her lips before I look to see what caught her eye.
In the distance, I spot the silhouette of snow capped Mount Bachelor on the horizon, bringing a smile to my face.
“I do like mountains too.” I take a long, deep breath of the cool mountain air, trying to steady myself.
She stays facing forward, but she must have heard me. Her eyes find mine and her smile widens.
“You can’t have a river like this without the melting snow from the mountains. You have to have them both.”
Present Day
“Are you going to introduce us to your friend here?” Miles’s voice gets my attention from behind. I turn to see him standing there with Vince and Stan, still watching Grace and I with a level of interest I don’t like.
“Yeah, who’s the mystery girl here?” Stan says, practically salivating and I already want to punch him. That’s not exactly new though.
I start to confront him, but Grace bounds to my side, extending a hand to Miles, bright and cheery as always. “Hi. Grace Chapman. I’ve been working on some projects for Jake and TJ.”
Miles grabs her hand, watching her with an amused grin. “Nice to meet you.”
She lets go of his hand and turns to Vince. “And you must be Vince. He’s told me so much about you.” Vince gives me a worried look, probably wondering what I said about him, but shakes her hand.
“And that makes you—”
“Stan.” I watch Stan extend his hand to her, tilting his head at me. “So you work for our old friend here?”
She smiles and nods. “Yep, for a few weeks now.”
His lips curl into a slimy, predatory grin.
“Good. I was worried you were dating this old stick in the mud. How about you give me your number and I’ll take you out for a real night.”
“Seriously, do you ever stop?” Vince scolds Stan like a misbehaving child. I guess maybe he has changed a little bit.