Chapter 9
Grant shoved the wedge into another log and then brought the axe down with a satisfying crack, thankful that he and Abel had felled a tree the last time he was here. He threw the freshly split wood onto the pile behind him and picked up another log. Over and over again.
His stomach roiled. The man he’d counted as his closest friend was an abusive asshole behind closed doors. The motherfucker . If Grant had known the truth—he brought the axe down hard, splintering the log.
He’d been right there . All that time, and he hadn’t seen it. If he had—God, he could’ve helped her. Gotten her out. Instead, she’d lived in fear for years while he stood by, blind. It felt like Melissa all over again.
There was nothing to be done for it now, he thought bitterly.
Jeremy had paid the ultimate price. Everly was rebuilding her life, getting the help she needed, and all Grant could do was support her as a friend.
A friend, he reminded himself. Even if, after last night, all he could think about was kissing her again.
You could. Nothing to stop you now.
The thought popped into his mind unbidden, and he missed his mark with the axe this time, swinging wide and sending the wedge flying into the treeline.
“Better watch what you’re doing, son. You might hurt yourself.” Abel emerged from the woods with the wedge in his hand and handed it back to Grant. “Or somebody else.” He tsk ed. “You look mad enough to spit nails. You and your lady get into an argument?”
Grant shook his head. “No, nothing like that. I just needed some more wood for the fireplace.” It was a lie and they both knew it, but Abel said nothing.
Grant wiped his brow and leaned the axe against the stump.
“What brings you up here, anyway? You’re not usually walking the woods this time of day. ”
Abel rubbed a hand across his grizzled jaw. “I’m out checking my trail cameras. Keeping an eye out for panthers.”
“You’ve been seeing them?” Grant asked, his curiosity piqued.
“No, but Danny Cobb—don’t know if you’ve met him, he lives a few miles down the highway—claims he spotted one the other day crossing the road. Of course, knowing him, that could’ve been the moonshine talking.”
Grant chuckled. “I hope so. I wouldn’t want Everly out here alone with a panther skulking around.”
“Well, they’re probably more scared of us than we are of them, so I’m not too concerned. Just like to know what’s walking through my corner of the world.” He hooked his thumbs in his overall straps and shuffled his feet. Grant waited, sensing there was something else the old man wanted to tell him.
After a few moments, Abel cleared his throat. “I hope this ain’t too forward of me, but I wanted to ask if you and the missus might like to join me for supper tomorrow. Been quite awhile since I had any company.”
Could Grant answer for both of them? As far as Abel knew, he and Everly were a couple. And maybe a chance to focus on something else besides the baggage between them was just what they needed. “Of course. What can Everly and I bring?”
“Just your own sweet selves,” he grinned.
“I’ll be glad to have you.” Abel extended his hand, and Grant shook it.
“You take care, son. And a word of unsolicited advice—take care of that young woman in there, too.” He nodded towards the cabin.
“If something’s gone sour between you, don’t let it sit.
Make it right. Life’s too short to stay upset.
Lord knows I’d give anything to be able to have one more day with my Ruthie. ”
“I appreciate that, Mr. Mason. We’ll see you tomorrow.”
Abel lifted a hand in farewell and headed back into the woods.
Grant picked up the axe again, intending to resume his mindless chopping.
But the tool felt heavy in his hands now, all the anger burned out of him.
All he wanted to be close to Everly, to protect her and know that she was safe.
He just hoped she would give him that chance.
Thunder rumbled as he trekked towards the house, another spring storm making its way across the mountain. Everly stood in the kitchen, stirring something in the crockpot he’d bought and never used.
“Smells amazing,” he said as he paused behind her.
“Just a quick soup I threw together. Looks like it’s going to rain again, and I figured a rainy day calls for soup,” she said a bit too tightly without turning around.
“Ev.” Grant lifted his hands to touch her, but stopped himself.
She turned around, unshed tears limning her eyes. “Are you okay?” she asked.
The question surprised him. “Me? Honestly, no. I’m pissed. Not at you,” he amended. “Pissed that I was around so much and had no idea. I would have done something. I would have helped you.”
“I know that now, but I didn’t believe it then. I was convinced that no one would believe me.” She looked down and swiped at her eyes. “Therapy has helped me forgive myself, but I guess part of me still hoped that the secret would die with Jeremy. I’m sorry you had to find out this way.”
“Hey.” He tipped her chin until she was looking at him again and planted a kiss on her forehead.
“I’m glad you told me, Ev. It’s too big of a burden to carry alone.
” He caught her hand in his and pressed it over his heart.
“But it’s not my story to tell. So it will stay with me until you say otherwise. ”
Everly’s gaze darkened just a fraction. She trailed her fingers across his chest where he’d placed her hand and then clutched his shirt in her fist, sending sparks straight to his groin.
Outside, thunder rolled, and the rain began pouring in earnest. Grant barely registered anything beyond his own runaway heartbeat suddenly reverberating through his body.
“You know,” she said softly, almost as if she were talking to herself, “I used to lie awake at night and dream about finding someone who wanted me.” She looked him in the eyes, and he felt like she could see into his heart, into his innermost secrets. “I used to dream that it was you.”
◆◆◆
“What are you saying?” Grant’s expression was somewhere between anguish and curiosity, his chest rising and falling rapidly under her hand.
Blood pounded in Everly’s ears. “I’m saying that’s why I asked you to kiss me last night. So that I could pretend for just a moment that you wanted me—the way that I’ve wanted you for a long time.”
“Jesus.” Grant sighed and shoved a hand through his hair, yanking at the ends.
Everly’s cheeks burned as he turned away and braced himself against the counter. “I know you don’t feel that way about me,” she stammered, hating the way her voice wobbled. “And I don’t expect—”
She faltered as he whipped around to face her again, his expression pained. “You think I’m not interested? I’ve dreamed about being with you since we met. For years. I’ve wanted you for a long time, Ev. A long fucking time.”
“What are you talking about?” Her voice barely registered, thin and distant, as if it belonged to someone else.
“You. It was always you.” He shook his head. “From the moment Jeremy introduced us, you got under my skin like nobody else, before or since. And I didn’t know what to do with that, so I pushed it down. Pretended it didn’t exist. And I hated myself for it.”
Grant moved towards her, but stilled as she stepped back. “You’re just saying this so that I don’t get my feelings hurt,” she protested, the truth crashing into her like a freight train even as her mind refused to accept his words.
“No, I’m not.” Thunder rumbled, distantly at first and then louder, as he moved to close the gap between them. “I’m not a liar. Never have been. You know that.”
She did. For as long as she’d known him, Grant had always been honest to a fault. “Why didn’t you say something before?” she whispered.
“I couldn’t. I couldn’t be that guy.” He finally stepped completely into her space, and Everly shifted until the countertop pressed into her back. “You were his for so long, and then you weren’t. But it still felt wrong.”
The world felt as if it had tilted on its axis, with only the edge of the countertop keeping her upright. “And how does it feel now?” Everly asked, unable to bring herself to look at him.
“Like the story I’ve been telling myself was a lie. That maybe I’m luckier than I ever could’ve imagined, if you want me half as badly as I want you.” Tender hands cupped her face. “Baby, look at me,” he whispered.
Lightning flashed through the windows as their eyes met, and Everly saw desire burning there, raw and hot. Her heart pounded against her ribs like a butterfly trapped in a jar, warmth blooming in her chest as she realized Grant was telling the truth.
She hadn’t imagined it over the years. The quiet glances across crowded rooms, when she sometimes caught him looking at her just a second too long.
The way he’d linger near her at a group event, like he needed to know she was safe–none of it had been in her head.
He’d wanted her then. And he wanted her now.
His thumbs caressed her cheeks, the soothing touch at odds with the storm raging inside her, just as volatile as the one outside. Parts of her she’d thought dead were roaring to life, and an aching surge of longing curled deep in her belly.
“Show me,” she whispered, the words barely audible above the rain that suddenly rushed against the windows. “Show me what you want.”
Grant shifted, and Everly had to clutch his shoulders to balance herself as he stepped between her legs and the full length of him pressed against her belly.
“This. All of you.” He pulled back just enough to look at her, the muscles in his jaw ticking.
“You say the word, and I’ll stop. But if you don’t…
” His eyes swept over her face, lingered on her mouth. “I’m done pretending.”
She didn’t–couldn’t–answer. Instead, she tugged him closer, tipping her face towards him in silent permission.
“Thank fuck,” he swore, then crushed his lips to hers.