Chapter 14 Hudson #3
“He’s definitely taught me a thing or two.”
George nods knowingly, as if he too has bestowed fatherly wisdom upon his own son.
Unlike my dad, who made me work for everything I earned, Grant was rewarded for doing the bare minimum.
When he barely graduated high school, they bought him a Toyota 4Runner.
And after he got kicked off the UNC lacrosse team for partying, they funded an all-expenses-paid trip for him and his buddies to blow off steam in Miami.
“I always told Grant never to settle down until he was sure,” George says, taking a step closer to the grill, “and yet here we are, in the middle of nowhere, to celebrate a relationship that probably won’t last the year.”
As much as I don’t care for my stepbrother, I can admit that what he has with Meredith is genuine. “They seem pretty solid.”
George glares at me, like I’m an idealistic grad student asking him if he wants to help save the environment.
“She signed the prenup without even having a lawyer look at it,” he scoffs. “I wonder how long until she figures out that she gets nothing if they divorce.”
From the fair amount of time I’ve spent with Meredith, I know that money is very low on her list of priorities.
“I don’t think Meredith is in it for the money.”
“That’s what they all say,” George scoffs, and I can’t help but wonder if this sentiment might be aimed at my mother more than Meredith.
“Nevertheless, I already had a word with Grant about putting his foot down with her. I know pussy can make men do some stupid things, but letting her embarrass our family like this,” he says, motioning towards the boat, “it’s deplorable.”
I know that my mother isn’t fond of Meredith, but hearing George talk about her makes me even more defensive.
“Have you even gotten to know her? She’s a really lovely person,” I say, hoping Grant has stood up for her as well.
“I saw her credit score and her background check. That’s all I need,” George replies, eyeing my fish. The trout is royally burnt, the skin bubbling off as I remove it from the heat and dig my knife into the center, portioning a helping onto a plate to give to Mira.
“Make sure to save some of that for your mother,” George says, taking the plate from my hand, sinking his fingers into it to take a bite. As if Susan has consumed food in front of anyone since 2003.
I plate another portion, this time guarding it from prying hands as I bring it over to Mira. She’s sitting by the riverbank, and from the way her eyes are fixed onto a single point, I know she’s crashing, her body savoring the last of its nutrients.
“This is for you,” I say, offering her a plate.
She doesn’t even fight me on it as she places it in her lap.
“It’s not my best work,” I say, handing her a fork, “but it’s better than anything over there.”
I watch the way her lips part as she takes a bite and listen for the familiar hum of satisfaction that rumbles low within her chest.
“Mmm,” she says, going in for seconds.
“Good?”
“It’s better than your drinks.” There’s snark to her tone, but I’ll take it if it means she’s speaking to me again.
“You love my drinks.”
“Lilah remade every one.”
I study her face, unsure if she’s just trying to get a rise out of me, but then she continues. “But hey, that’s why you have your day job to fall back on, right?”
The hint of disdain in her voice is unmistakable.
“I should have told you about Elite,” I say, hating that I held back so much of myself from her. “But I try not to tell people about my dad right away.”
“Apparently you keep a lot of secrets,” she retorts, the energy shifting around us.
“I know, I fucked up. I should have been honest with you about so many things, but I promise, I’ll tell you everything if you let me.”
Even after three years with Katherine there were parts of myself I kept hidden, knowing she wouldn’t accept them, but with Mira I want to open myself up to her, let her flip through my pages, to learn all the best and worst parts of me.
She runs her teeth over her bottom lip in contemplation, and I’m certain she’s about to give in, to nod her head and allow me to unburden myself, but her decision is stifled by the sound of a bullhorn blasting through the air.
“Bears! We have bears!” Bo shouts, pointing towards the valley in the distance.
And I spot two burly black bears wobbling back and forth, their heads up in the air.
They are a reasonable distance away, another hundred yards or so, but I’m well aware that they could catch up to us with the right motivation, and by the way their noses sniff up in the air, I think they found it.
“Grab your life jackets and calmly retreat to the boat,” Tonya orders, ushering guests down the riverbank.
Being trained for these situations, I know that my first priority should be helping Bo extinguish the fire and locate any guests who may have wandered off, but I bypass my responsibilities and focus on Mira.
“We have to go,” I say, as she slips her feet back into her boots.
I know that I should let her finish tying her shoes, that proper boot safety is as important as wearing a life jacket, but as I watch the bears get closer all I care about is getting her on the boat and down the river to safety.
“This is all your fault,” she spits, hobbling behind me. “You just had to show off your gourmet cooking skills.”
“Gourmet? I put unseasoned trout on a grill.”
“The bears wouldn’t have cared about those burgers. No one wanted them. But the second you start grilling their favorite meal, they appear,” she argues, walking ahead of me.
The embankment to reach the boat is steep, built by soft dirt and rocks, with an incline perfect for spraining ankles. With Mira’s untied shoe, I want to keep a steady hand out for her, but she keeps her distance, refusing it.
“At least let me take your bag,” I offer, watching her unbalanced steps carefully.
“Shouldn’t you be helping your girlfriend?” she snaps back.
“Goddammit, Mira, she’s not my—” I shout as Bo lets off another round of the bullhorn, and it all happens so fast. One second Mira’s beside me, and the next, the loose dirt slips underneath her feet, the riverbank sliding away like an avalanche.
And the last thing I see is the look of shock on her face as she careens straight into the river.