Chapter 20
GRAHAMMY’S IN DANGER
Graham
When you loved someone, you’d do anything to keep them safe. Even if it meant keeping them safe from themselves. Even if that meant kicking out their entire family that flew thousands of miles so she could breathe again. Which was exactly what I was about to do.
Katie had turned on some music and swept up Derek in some sort of slow tango across the great room. Charles danced with Noel in the classic daddy-daughter form—her head on his shoulder, him holding her tight wishing she’d never grow up—the kind of thing I was jealous of.
Surprisingly, Annie, Jeremiah, Ophelia, and Gemma chatted on the sectional, sipping wine, telling stories, laughing. While Hunter and Jeremiah’s wife sampled the different sakes by the fire. What was once tension and resentment, fueled by unresolved grievances, had become decency.
Maggie wasn’t alone in carrying an uncomfortable history. But the fact that it couldn’t be put aside when she was in the room disgusted me.
“Hey everyone.” I cleared my throat. “Maggie’s not feeling well right now, so we are going to call it a night.”
“Pretty bold of you to assume the role of head of the house when he’s sitting right over there.” Ophelia gestured to Hunter.
I rolled my eyes.
“This isn’t about that, Ophelia.”
“Then what is it about, officer?”
“You really want to know?”
“I do.”
“Well, first off—”
Katie parted from Derek and grabbed my arms, sweeping me into the tango. “Don’t. I just got them calmed down.”
“Oh, so that was your doing?” I whispered.
She nodded, leading me down the hall to the foyer.
Maggie had composed herself and came down the stairs just as a knock on the door shifted the energy in the room. She floated past me and opened it.
“Whoa—that’s so freaky!” Katie blurted.
Maggie stepped to the side and let in the woman who had to be her sister, Mary—she looked exactly like her except for short hair, still wavy like Maggie’s but lighter in color. She was decked out in a busty short-length black camo dress and a corset-style belt.
“Jesus Christ, there’s two of them,” I said under my breath, a slight twinge noticeable in my dick.
Katie giggled. “Uh-oh, Grahammy’s in danger.”
“Can it.”
“Mary!” Maggie pulled her into a hug and hung off her.
“Christ, you reek of alcohol and weed.”
“I know, and the fam’s here. Perfect time to claim my throne as the catastrophe queen.”
Mary laughed. “Bitch, I’ll get your crown.”
In walked a man, looking like he’d win a Steven Tyler look-alike contest if Steven Tyler wore guyliner and black leather. He was about as tall as I was and trying too hard to look like a rock star with his black leather pants and shirt unbuttoned past his navel.
“Sorry we’re late.” He smacked his gum between his words, and I felt the lip of my I’m gonna have to start hurting people if this keeps up switch turn on. “Gig ran late at Moon’s.”
“You got a gig at Moon’s already, Bradley?” Maggie asked.
“He’s had it booked for a month,” Mary said.
“Is that why Baddy Cleft said I was too late?” Derek interrupted. “You stole my spot.”
“All part of the life, man,” he said, slapping Derek on the back, shoving straight past and into the great room where Ophelia held out her arms.
“Mom!” He laid on the fake adoration, pulling her into a hug. “How are you?”
“Oh, I’m fine, dear. Have you met Hunter? He owns a line of hotels and just proposed to Maggie. Isn’t it marvelous?”
“You’re getting married?” Mary grabbed Maggie’s hand and eyed the ring. “Jesus! You’re gonna sink the boat with that one.”
“I didn’t haven’t said yes.”
That rock on her finger made my jaw tight every time I looked at it. Like a brand. Like he’d already decided for her.
“Oh. Why not?”
Maggie’s eyes flicked to me for a second, then back to her sister.
“Oh—” Mary said with a smile building.
“No… it’s not like that.”
Her expression changed into a knowing smirk. “I know you, girl… and it’s exactly like that.”
“No… you know just as much as I know that you have a birthmark on your ass in the shape of Egypt and you lost a nipple to an overly eager evening at the waterpark in Cancun five years ago.”
I couldn’t help but smirk.
“Exactly, you know all my secrets.” Mary giggled. “Make sure you text me when you’re back in your books.” She thumbed toward me in passing. “Hey, Ma,” she said, joining the others in the great room.
Maggie and I stood alone in the foyer.
“So, that’s your sister?” I asked, putting both hands in my pants pockets and rocking on my heels.
“Yep.”
“Huh. Interesting.”
“What?”
“Nothing.”
“Mm-hmm.” She crossed her arms, giving me an I can’t believe you look.
“You really don’t want to know.”
“I already do.”
I scoffed. “Right.”
She tilted her head, one brow lifting. “You’re imagining us together.”
I pressed my lips together. “Guy can dream, can’t he?”
Maggie
Daddy clapped. “Everybody listen up!”
Graham and I moved back to the great room.
“I’m thinking we all head over to the nearest supper club for some after-dinner dancing.”
“Ooo, that sounds like a marvelous idea, Charles,” Mom piped in.
“What’s wrong with dancing here?” Katie asked. “We’ve got the world full of music. Graham could teach us all how to samba…”
“You know how to samba?” I asked.
“Just because I know how to throw my ass in a circle doesn’t mean I know how to samba.”
“No offense, Kaitlyn.” Mom rose, looking down her nose at Katie. “Frankly, I don’t want to dance with you or your friends.”
“It’s Katie… and I never asked you to.”
“I’m gonna go clean up the kitch’n.” Annie stood up—stopping the escalation of something that would most likely humiliate all parties involved.
“Let me help, Annie.” Graham offered.
“Oh, you hush, Graham. I know how to clean a kitchen. I’ve owned a bakery for thirty-five years.”
Graham threw his hands up in a placating gesture. “Just thought you’d like some help’s all.”
Annie eyed him up and down. “Come on, I’m sure I can teach ya somethin’.”
“Bet yah can.” He chuckled.
Daddy came over and gave me a kiss on the forehead. “You joining us, pumpkin?”
“No, uh… I’m probably going to hang back. My head is still a little funny.”
“Well, alright. You get some rest. We’ll see you first thing in the morning.”
“Okay, Daddy.”
The rest of my family filtered through to get to the coat closet.
“Locke, see you at the parade, right?” Daddy pointed two fingers at him before taking his coat from Gemma.
“Yes, sir.” Graham touched his fingers to the small of my back as he snuck past to see him off. Hot electricity shot up my spine and I may have broken into a small sweat. I let out a deep breath.
“Hey Mags,” Derek said, suddenly a little too close.
I startled. “Jesus!”
“I’m probably going to head out too. Do you think I could get that plate for Trix?”
“Of course.” I hugged him. “Thank you for everything.”
“No worries, Mags.” He squeezed me tight. “We’ve got you.”
Annie poked her head out from the kitchen. “Derek, what does Trix like? And Graham I thought you was fixin’ to help me.”
“I’ll see you tomorrow.” Derek kissed me softly on the forehead and joined Annie in the kitchen.
“Yeah, see ya.”
“OHHH—!” Mom yelled from the closet. “Where did all this green slime on my coat come from? There’s so much!”
My eyes shot to Katie, stopped in her tracks, grimacing before mouthing, “Sorry.”
Oh my God.