Chapter 14
Fourteen
“Ican’t get a read on you,” Grove said, slurping her words through a straw as she sipped a root beer float from Vinny’s, the local pizza diner they’d been patronizing since childhood.
Vinny practically raised the local kids on the weekends—most came to hang out, do homework, or sneak a date in the worn booths.
A wood-paneled wall bore the carved names of generations, a lasting legacy of what it meant to be a child come of age in Aetheridge.
“Honestly, I can’t really get a read on myself,” Grier admitted, shrugging as she sipped her float across from her sister.
“Have you heard from Tobin?” Grove prodded.
“No. But I haven’t reached out either.” Grier remained calm. “I’m trying to give her space. The attraction is there, that kiss was… staggering.” Her voice trailed off. Grove waited silently, across the booth.
Grier blinked, focusing. “She’s scared, which she openly admitted the night of the gala. And it’s making her resistant. I can feel that much. But I don’t know why. She said she isn’t involved with anyone, and I believe her. At this point, all I can hope is that she explains things on Saturday.”
“You’re giving her too much credit,” Grove said, digging at the chunks of ice cream at the bottom of her glass with a spoon.
“Maybe. But my gut says I need to be patient. And… I’m oddly at peace with it. I can’t promise I won’t end up hurt, but I just feel like I need to grant her some grace as she navigates whatever decisions she needs to make to give me a chance.”
“I hope you’re right.”
“I hope she figures it out soon. I was horny before that kiss, but now… my core is so tight from clenching when I think about her I think I’m actually getting abs!” Grier met Grove’s eyes for mere seconds before both succumbed to easy laughter.
“You got it bad,” Grove said, smiling coyly, shaking her head.
Grier sighed. “I do. I’ve missed this side of dating. I like a little chase. But I think she’s the type who needs to come to me. When she’s ready.”
A little while later they walked into the house to find Delta doing homework, Lake resting beside her.
“Where’s your dad, kid?” Grove asked, sliding onto the kitchen counter next to Delta.
“He ran an errand. Said he’d be back to start dinner.” Delta didn’t look up from her homework.
“How long ago did he leave?” Grier pressed.
“He didn’t come inside when he brought me home.”
Grier glanced at the clock on the microwave, confirming her suspicion—it was already after five. She met Grove’s confused gaze. “He’s been gone for almost two hours?”
“I guess.” Delta was clearly unbothered, but Grier’s concern was growing. Grant didn’t leave Delta home alone for long periods, and he almost always let Grier know if he was going to be out longer than a quick errand.
Grier and Grove exchanged a series of raised eyebrows, subtle glances, and lowered lids, concluding with the understanding that Grove would distract Delta while Grier stepped out to call Grant.
His phone went straight to voicemail. Concern quickly melted into fear. She sent him a questioning text, then returned to the kitchen, giving Grove a quick shake of her head—no luck.
She started opening cupboards, taking inventory to figure out what to make for dinner. Grant did most of the cooking, since his work-from-home schedule was far more flexible. Grier had no idea what he had intended for their dinner this evening.
She pulled out some cans of creamed soups, planning a quick casserole, when the kitchen door swung open with a whoosh. Grant walked in, several brown bags of carryout sushi in his hands, and pleading in his eyes.
“Sorry! My phone died. I bring food things as apologies.” He rushed forward to set the bags on the counter, then walked behind Delta to give her a quick kiss on top of her head.
“You’re lucky you have the foresight to bring food as an apology, or we’d be much less amenable to your still-unexplained absence.” Grove feigned anger as she began plucking to-go containers from the bags.
Grier remained silent, reaching for plates and utensils from the cupboards. Something didn’t feel right. Grant never let his phone die. And he didn’t particularly like sushi. A tug of concern niggled at her—he was hiding something.
After dinner, Delta excused herself to her room, and the siblings retreated to the living room. Grier didn’t wait for the opportunity to second guess herself. “Where were you, Grant?”
Grant flushed. “I was running some errands. My phone died.” “You’re lying. Plus, you didn’t plug your phone in during
dinner, and it’s suddenly working now, so you obviously just turned it off while you were gone.” Grier pushed back, calling him out as he clicked his now-charged phone screen off.
Grant sat in front of her, refusing to meet her eyes. He rolled the phone back and forth between his hands, lost in thought.
“Why are you acting so shady?” Grove interjected in her typically blunt manner. “What could you possibly do that would require such stealth?”
“You left Delta alone, which you never do,” Grier continued. “And we don’t lie to each other. What gives?” Her eyes searched his, pleading and concerned.
“I do leave Delta alone,” Grant said defensively, keeping his gaze on his lap. “I just lost track of time.”
“Which returns us to the question of why you turned your phone off in the first place. Especially knowing Delta was home alone.” Grier’s tone softened; she and her siblings didn’t raise their voices with each other.
They respected each other and, even when the occasional disagreement arose, they met it with dignity.
Without raising his head, Grant quietly confessed, “I’m seeing someone.”
“What?” Grove edged forward, eager for details.
Grier froze. She couldn’t formulate words.
Of all the possible scenarios he could’ve supplied, this was not on her list of potential excuses.
She stiffened, feeling the sting of inevitability.
She had known this day would come, but it still hurt—knowing Grant was moving on, preparing to replace Nora in their home, perhaps even in his heart.
Grier blinked back tears. She didn’t want to cry.
She needed to be supportive of Grant—she knew he was probably as emotional about moving on as she was.
She just needed to process. She had always assumed he’d come to her first, that they’d talk about it, have an established game plan for Delta.
She hadn’t expected to be ambushed by it.
“Grier, please don’t cry. I know what you’re thinking,” Grant pleaded.
“I’m sorry. I… just… I wasn’t prepared for that,” she stammered, swiping at her eyes with the cuff of her sleeve. She turned her head away, not wanting her siblings to see her pain.
“I’m not replacing her, Grier,” Grant choked out. Then, softer, “I’m going slow.”
Grove sat between them, obviously uncertain which one needed her support more right now.
A small, unbidden sob escaped Grier’s throat. Grove was beside her in an instant, a steadying hand on her shoulder.
“I can’t have both of you ganging up on me for this,” Grant pleaded, his voice edging toward desperation.
“I… I’m lonely. Please. Please don’t punish me for trying to live again.
” He swallowed, his next words barely a whisper.
“Nora never wanted me to be alone. She told me to move on.” His voice cracked. “She told me to love again.”
Grier felt his hurt—and his need. She couldn’t judge him for that. After wiping her eyes on Grove’s shoulder, she crossed the room to where Grant sat and pulled him into a hug. His arms wrapped around her waist, clinging like a lifeline. She squeezed him tightly, hoping he could feel her support.
“I’m sorry. I was caught off guard, and my emotions got ahead of my brain.
” She felt him ease a little in her arms. “I know Nora wanted you to move on. I’ve been trying to prepare myself for it, I just thought you’d come to me before you made the decision to put yourself out there.
I’m sorry for how I reacted. I want you to be happy, Grant.
And I’m grateful you’re starting to work toward that. ”
Grant looked up at her, eyelashes wet with his silent tears. She saw his throat bob as he swallowed, searching for words. She released him and sat beside him, their arms and legs pressing against each other in quiet solidarity.
“You two are hot messes.” Grove leaned back against the couch, shaking her head. “I was briefly jealous that you both have lovers all of a sudden, but if this is what they do to you, I’ll just stick with the wilderness.”
Her timing worked—they both chuckled. “Can you tell us about her?” Grier asked gently.
“It’s still new,” Grant said, rubbing the back of his neck.
“I— we—didn’t plan for anything to come of it.
It started as a simple run-in, then texts, then accidentally planned encounters…
a few lunch dates. This afternoon was the first time I’ve ever gone to meet her when Delta wasn’t in school.
I knew it was a risk—but…” He laughed softly, blushing sweetly. “I’m smitten.”
“I knew Delta would be fine alone for a little while, and I figured you’d be home soon. I meant to text after I dropped her off, but I got lost in the excitement. I’m sorry. It won’t happen again.” He clenched his fists, resolving to correct his mistakes.
“You shouldn’t have to hide your whereabouts, Grant.” Grier’s tone was soft but firm. “I can cover for you in the future, until you’re ready to share her with Delta. But you have to let me know, so I’m not left worrying.”
“Yes, I know. I’ll communicate with you from now on.”
Grove scoffed, reclining on the couch. “You still haven’t told us about her. Details. Now.”
Grant laughed. “She’s beautiful. And kind. You’ll both love her—Delta, too.”
“More, brother. Details,” Grove demanded.
Grant hesitated, and Grier could feel his uncertainty. She rested a hand on his thigh.