Chapter 33 Gracie
Gracie
“What can I do for you, Paisley?” I ask in a bored tone, leaning back against the bar. Out of the corner of my eye, I see Bridget looking this way, her mouth moving, and I know she’s filling Nolan in.
“Gracie,” Paisley says, a cool arrogance settling over her expression—like she knows exactly how this is going to go. “Just the person I was hoping to talk to.”
My brows climb my forehead. I’m not sure what I expected when I saw her again, never letting myself think too much about it.
In fact, she has never really lingered in my thoughts at all.
She might have played a big part in what happened, but her actions say more about her as a person than they do about me.
I knew we would run into each other eventually. Sterling Creek isn’t a big place, and even though Paisley left town, her family lives here. She was always going to come back, but I never imagined her having the gall to approach me like this.
When I don’t say a word, she turns to look at Esther. “Give us a minute. Gracie and I need to have a…girl chat.”
She hesitates, her eyes bouncing between the two of us. “You sure, honey?”
“Go, Mom.”
Esther’s mouth presses into a thin line, but she doesn’t argue, turning and making her way across the room to a free table.
Paisley watches her go before her stare skips around the bar, taking note of who’s here. I wonder if she’s looking for Braxton, her attention lingering on the table where Bridget and Nolan are. She looks back at me just as the bartender finishes making the drinks I ordered.
I thank him before he disappears to help someone else, picking one up. “Hope you don’t mind,” I tell Paisley. “I would offer you one, but…” I shrug. “I don’t want to.”
She lets out a quiet scoff, shaking her head. “We can be civilized, can’t we, Gracie?”
I take a leisurely sip. “I suppose that depends on your definition of civilized.” Paisley takes another step closer, and I cough, scrunching my nose up. “Sorry. Your perfume—” I wave a hand in front of my face. “It’s a bit much, don’t you think?”
Her cheeks fill with color. “That’s not—This isn’t—” She closes her eyes, pulling in a deep breath. “Sterling Creek is my home,” she says. “It’s the place I was born, and where I grew up. I know that your relationship is over, but that’s not really my fault.”
“Of course,” I agree smoothly, and shock flares in Paisley’s eyes. Her mouth opens and closes before her expression firms.
“My family has been friends with the Newports for over twenty years. Now, because of you, they’re no longer speaking.”
“That’s an interesting perspective,” I drawl. “I had no idea I had so much power.”
Paisley ignores me. “Now, you may not understand how towns like Sterling Creek work, or even families in general, but you can’t keep forcing your feelings on other people.
” Amusement fills me at the idea of her telling me not to force myself on anyone.
It must show on my face because she grits her teeth, eyes flashing with anger.
“It’s selfish, when you think about it,” she says reasonably, but she can’t quite hide the edge of tension under her words.
“You’re destroying two decades of friendship and history just because your feelings got hurt. ”
I blink, genuinely surprised. “Is that what I’m doing?” I muse.
Paisley’s expression grows tight, her foot tapping out an impatient beat against the wooden floor.
“You know exactly what you’re doing,” she snaps.
“It’s not my fault, or my family’s, that you couldn’t hold on to your boyfriend.
” Something cruel flashes through her brown eyes, her mouth tugging into a cutting smile.
“Braxton and I have history, and now you know that you can’t compete.
It’s better for everyone if you just quietly bow out, like you should have from the start. Stop making this about you.”
The silence falls between us, heavy with the weight of Paisley’s expectation, but I just sigh as a body sidles up beside me, Bridget asking curiously, “What’s going on here?”
I slide her a look. “I was just telling Paisley how brave she is,” I say, tone dripping with mock amazement.
Her mouth parts in shock, eyes bouncing between Bridget and me. “What—?”
“I wouldn’t call her brave,” Bridget mutters, throwing a dark look at Paisley.
“Well, I think she is.” I pointedly glance around Benson’s, clocking the man himself coming to stand on the other side of the bar—probably sensing blood in the water, and the feeding frenzy about to start.
I look back at Paisley with a sly smile.
“She came back to the scene of her crime.” I widen my eyes, fluttering my lashes dramatically. “I would never.”
Paisley jerks her head back. “C-crime?”
“That’s right,” Bridget snaps her fingers, just as Esther reappears at Paisley’s side, her expression worried.
Before she can say anything, Bridget continues, “I heard she sexually assaulted someone. I guess that explains why she skipped town so suddenly, huh? I mean, coming back here is one thing, but I don’t think I would ever show my face in Sterling Creek again. ”
Esther lets out a sharp gasp as I hum out an agreement. “Especially knowing that everyone is talking about it.”
Paisley’s face is a picture of horror, swiveling around to gauge whether our conversation is being overheard. When she finally faces me again, her voice is a low hiss. “I didn’t sexually assault anyone.”
I pretend not to hear her, clucking my tongue as I keep my eyes on Bridget. “Imagine if a man had planted a kiss on an unsuspecting drunk woman like that.”
“He would’ve been arrested,” Bridget says, and I bob my head, fighting back a grin when one of them squawks.
“Definitely. Raewyn told me that they were considering pressing charges, but the public shame felt like a fitting punishment. I mean, Paisley left straight after it happened, so she obviously knew she was in the wrong.”
Bridget angles her body toward me, reaching out to pick up one of the drinks waiting on the bar. Benson is a silent sentry, but his eyes are amused as he watches us continue to act like Paisley and Esther aren’t here.
“Raewyn has always been too gracious,” Bridget says regretfully as she sips her drink. “It doesn’t feel right that there are no consequences. It sets a dangerous precedent for other predators.”
“Predator!” Esther pales when she realizes how loud her voice is, lowering it to a harsh whisper when we look at her. “My daughter is not a…a…a predator.”
Paisley’s eyes shift behind me, widening, just as Nolan says, “Who’s a predator?” Her cheeks go bright red as he reaches for the beer left on the bar. “I got tired of waiting for my drink. What’s going on?”
“This is Paisley,” I tell him with an eye roll, “and her mother.”
“Ah.” The sound he makes is knowing, and Paisley’s eyes drop to the floor, even as Bridget shoots me an amused look before she focuses back on Esther.
“It must be hard for you,” she says sympathetically.
Esther seems to be thrown by Nolan’s appearance, but she’s not ready to back down at the threat to her daughter—in a confrontation Paisley started. “What must be hard?” she demands haughtily.
Bridget’s expression doesn’t change. “Having two children just walking around, assaulting people. I bet you’re wondering where you went wrong as a mother.”
Nolan hides his smile behind his drink as I shift my attention from Esther’s horrified face to Paisley, who’s looking a little ill. “Nick did apologize to Braxton, so I guess that’s something,” I murmur.
Esther clenches her hands into fists, stepping forward, her shoulder brushing Paisley’s.
Benson clears his throat. “Esther, enough.”
She ignores him, her furious stare moving from Bridget to me. “You girls don’t know what you’re talking about—”
“I think they know just fine.”
Esther whirls around to find Raewyn standing there, taking us all in. A step behind her is Stephen, Braxton, and Nick, each one wearing an expression of fury, disgust—with a healthy dose of embarrassment mixed in on Nick’s.
“Mom. Paisley,” he grits out. “What the hell are you doing?”
Esther opens her mouth, but Raewyn steps forward, her voice carrying through the bar. “You encouraged your daughter to go after a taken man. You think none of us connected those dots?” She looks around. “Where’s your husband tonight?”
Esther doesn’t answer, stubbornness flashing across her expression as Nick looks from Raewyn to her, demanding, “What’s she talking about, Mom?”
“Nothing,” Esther replies stiffly. “She’s not talking about anything.”
“What was her name again?” Stephen nudges his elbow against Raewyn’s arm. “Irene, wasn’t it?”
Esther cuts in before Raewyn can answer. “Joseph was single when we started dating. Irene was a friend.”
Braxton has his eyes locked on me, his brow knitted together with worry, and it feels like no one else exists for him. I give him a small smile before focusing back on Esther.
“You didn’t consider Braxton and me seriously together, right? What did you say again?” I pretend to think about it. “Oh, that’s right. We aren’t married or even engaged, so Braxton was fair game.”
He curses, stepping forward, but his father grabs his shoulder, holding him back. Nick shakes his head, shoulders slumping as he mutters, “Mom, go home. Take Paisley with you.”
“Nick—” Esther starts, but Raewyn interrupts.
“Yes, Esther. Go home to your husband before you make the situation any worse.”
Esther’s expression darkens furiously, and she shakes off Paisley when her daughter tries to grab her arm.
“You’re throwing everything away for a girl you barely know.
Gracie—” she spits, throwing a venomous glare my way.
“She doesn’t know the meaning of family.
Look how fast she ran when things got hard.
Are you really going to destroy years of friendships and the family our children could have over someone like her? ”
Stephen rolls his eyes, but it’s Braxton who barks out a laugh.
“Are you kidding?” He looks at Nick, who nods once before looking away, tucking his hands into his pockets.
Braxton gives Paisley a derisive look, and she flinches.
“Esther, you’re saying all this like Paisley ever stood a chance with me, but you’re forgetting that she only went after me because I was taken.
” His smile is cruel. “You like taken men, right, Paisley? I heard you prefer married professors, though.”
Paisley lets out a broken gasp, staring at her brother with eyes full of betrayal. “You told him?” she whispers, her eyes gleaming with tears. “Whose side are you on?”
Raewyn’s eyes flare with shock, but Stephen shakes his head, mumbling, “Told you she was bad news.”
“Tell me,” Braxton continues relentlessly. “Did you come running from Minnesota because his wife found out?”
Paisley doesn’t answer, her chin dropping to her chest, her hair hiding her expression. Nick shakes his head. “I’m not on your side,” he murmurs with disappointment. “And if you don’t understand why, there’s no coming back from this.” He looks at his mother. “For any of us.”
“Nick…” Esther whispers.
“Go home, Mom,” he tells her tiredly. “Both of you.”
Paisley spins on her heel, stomping from the bar. Esther hesitates, but then scurries after her. Benson watches them go before he tips his chin at the bartender and stomps off, disappearing into his office.
Braxton shrugs off his dad’s hold, closing the distance between us.
“Are you okay, Gracie? I’m sorry that—” He cuts himself off when a laugh bursts out of me.
I slap my hands over my mouth, trying to stop it, but it keeps coming, getting louder and more unhinged until I’m bent over at the waist, tears escaping my eyes.
Bridget chuckles beside me. “I feel like I’m in a daytime soap,” she mutters. “What the hell just happened?”
Raewyn pushes Braxton out of the way, reaching for my hands. “Are you okay, sweetheart? That was—” She throws a disgusted look at the door. “I can’t believe their nerve.”
“Our Gracie’s fine,” Stephen murmurs, giving me an appraising look that warms me to my soul. “She’s stronger than those vipers.”
I smile at him. “Thanks, Stephen.” I look around the small crowd gathered, seeing the show of support that they meant it to be. “I’m so fine. Paisley doesn’t mean anything to me, and her words mean even less.”
Nick lets out a soul-weary sigh. “I’m sorry,” he says quietly, mouth turned down. “They never should have—
Raewyn whirls on him. “Do not apologize for them. They might be your family, but they are not a reflection on you or your character, Nicholas.”
He stares at her, throat bobbing. “Yeah.” He nods once. “Thanks, Raewyn.” He glances around one more time, eyes lingering on me before he throws a thumb over his shoulder. “I’m gonna get out of here, though. I need to speak to my dad.”
Braxton watches his friend with concern. “You sure that’s a good idea?”
Nick shrugs. “I have no clue, but we’ll find out.” He rubs the back of his neck. “I think he also needs to hear the truth, not whatever poison those two are going to spill.”
Stephen pats Nick on the shoulder. “You know where to find us if you need anything.”
“Thank you.” He tips his chin, and then he’s gone. Sympathy wells in my chest, knowing the pain of having a terrible family, and hating that Nick’s facing this on his own.
“Gracie,” Braxton says quietly. “You want to go get some air?”
There’s meaning in his voice, and Raewyn looks between us before turning to Stephen. “I saw Monroe over in the corner. Let’s go have a drink with him.”
“Yes, ma’am,” Stephen jokes, and Raewyn rolls her eyes as they walk away.
Bridget links her arm with Nolan’s, clinking their glasses together. “Don’t worry about us,” she says cheerfully. “Nolan’s promised to give me the lowdown on his dramatic family. It’s important because, you know…My family is dead, so I need to get my drama fix from somewhere.”
Nolan shakes his head. “Most people watch television or read a book.”
“Yeah, well…” The rest of her words are lost as she leads him back to our table. I turn to face Braxton, who hasn’t taken his eyes off mine.
He holds a hand out. “Shall we?”
I give him a small smile. “Okay.”