Page 101 of Truck Me
“I’m sure they don’t compare to anything you baked, but they’re not bad.”
“Psh.” She waves a hand at me. “That’s not what I’ve heard. A little birdie might have whispered in my ear that my grandson is quite taken with your cookin’. I assume that includes your sweets.”
My eyes widen and my mouth falls open, causing Grams to laugh. I glance over at Lia and she’s doing her best to hide her smile.
“Oh now, dear. Don’t tell me you’ve forgotten how secrets never remain secrets for long in this town.” She leans close to me and drops her voice to a whisper. “If you didn’t want folks to know you were seein’ Garret, then you shouldn’t park your parents’ car in plain sight outside his house all night. Let’s just say that got people talkin’ and watchin.’ If the rumors are true, you’re seen comin’ and goin’ from his house almost every night.”
Grams quirks a brow at me as if to say she’s daring me to contradict her.
I drop my face into my hands and groan. “People are talking about us?”
Grams pats my arm. “Now, it ain’t so bad. Turns out people are happy about it. We all want to see Garret happy. Lord knows that boy needs a good woman in his life.”
“I’m not ready for this,” I mumble, making Grams laugh even harder.
“Well, ready or not, it’s out there.” Then her laughter dies, and she gives me the most serious look I’ve ever seen on the woman’s face. “Just don’t hurt that boy. He’s had enough pain in his life. He doesn’t need or deserve more.”
“It’s not that serious. And it’s really new.”
She snorts. “Everything about Garret is serious. He doesn’t do anything unless it means somethin’ to him. When he loves, he loves hard and completely. You’d do well to remember that.”
My heart nearly jumps out of my chest at her mention of love. I feel a tingling sensation rush through my body and it’s suddenly hard to breathe. “Who … Who said anything about love?”
“I’m not sayin’ you two are in love, just that you need to be careful. We all know what you just went through, and I am truly sorry you had to go through that. Just don’t use my grandson because you’re bored or hurt or whatever you might be feelin’. Understand?”
I glance over at Lia, who looks really uncomfortable being caught listening to this conversation. Turning my gaze back to Grams, I say quietly, “Yes ma’am. I can assure you, hurting Garret is the last thing on my mind.”
“Good,” her smile returns, and she pats my arm again. “Glad we got that straight. Now you ladies have a great night. I suspect you’re gonna sell a lot of cookies.”
With that, Grams turns on her heels and walks back to her own booth. Lia steps up beside me and shivers. “Remind me to never get on her bad side. Something tells me Grams is a force to be reckoned with.”
I huff. “Yeah, no shit. But the threat of her wrath is not what has me worried. I’m not ready for everyone to know about Garret and me. Not until I know where it’s going.”
Lia chuckles and wraps her arm around my shoulder. “Then I suggest you figure it out real quick, because everyone in this room was watching Grams talk to you. I’d say that means the rumor is confirmed.”
I glance around the gym, and sure enough, all eyes are on me. I let out a low breath, feeling completely exposed.
All the excitement I felt over seeing Garret tonight deflates.
This night is not going to be fun.
Chapter 22
Well … Fuck me.
Garret
Public events always make me uncomfortable, but being dragged from my truck to hang out at a community event by a ten-year-old girl is downright torturous.
I have no clue what I was thinking when I agreed to bring Rayne tonight.
I know why I agreed. Because Charlotte asked me if I could do it.
I didn’t even have to think about it. It was an immediate yes. I think it’s safe to say there isn’t much I’ll say no to where that woman is concerned.
It’s official. I have fallen hard for Charlotte Weber, and I’m ready to put my heart on the line for her.
Whether or not she wants it, she owns my heart. I just hope she decides to keep it when I tell her the truth I’ve kept secret for far too long.