Page 28 of Three Reasons
“Nope, but from the sounds of things, we can’t leave our girl alone for too long.” Given what Rocky has said, they aren’t nice people and maybe even worse than what Gray herself has described to us.
“Hotel, if shit hits the fan.” I nod at his suggestion. We already have one booked in Edmonton’s Ice District because Christmas is tomorrow, and no matter what, I want Gray to experience something beautiful.
“Here we go,” I mutter as we climb the steps and ring the bell. It takes a minute before anyone comes to the door.
When it finally opens, a woman answers, dressed immaculately, and if I had to guess, she’s Gray’s other sister, Sally. “Oh, she is going to love this,” the woman whispers with a smile. “You’re Eli and Callan, right?”
We share a look before I respond. “We are. Is Gray here?”
“Yup, having lunch with the family. Come on in.” Opening the door wider, we follow Sally inside. As we take off our shoes, she continues talking. “Margo has been having a fit over our parents finally sticking up for Gray. It’s been comical, to say the least.” Eli and I share another look.
“Sticking up for her?” I ask cautiously.
“Oh, yeah. It’s a first, and I’m not sure my little sister is even comfortable with it. She thinks there’s strings attached.” Sally grins, clearly amused by whatever has been happening.
“Isn’t there?” Eli grips her wrist to halt her momentum. “From what we witnessed when Margo showed up, the things Gray said, and others her employee spilled, I get the feeling there’s always strings.”
Her smile becomes less amused and more loving now. “You’re right; they’re right. I’ve never known there not to be strings, but this time is different, and I don’t understand why, exactly. A few days ago, I’d have said there were a dozen strings. Things changed.” She shrugs.
As we continue along silently, worried about Gray, I’m ready to charge in anger first when I find her looking subdued, sitting at a table with who I assume are her parents. What really pisses me off is the clear print on her cheek from a slap.
“Gray,” I growl, feeling protective.
“Callan!” she gasps, immediately on her feet. “Eli!” A smile lights her face as she rushes over to us. I immediately grip her jaw and turn her face to get a better look at her injury.
“Who hit you?” She swallows heavily as she grips my wrists and nuzzles into my hand.
“I’m fine.” It's apparent that she is, but it doesn’t matter. Someone put hands on our woman. “Really, I am.” Her eyes move to Eli, who looks every bit as pissed off as I am.
“I like them,” Sally interrupts as Eli pulls Gray from my grasp to give her a light kiss on the cheek and then moves to her lips.
“Missed you,” he whispers, brushing a hand through her hair and turning her back to me so I can do the same.
Our lips touch, and I hear a few gasps, but I just don’t give a fuck. I don’t think Gray does either as she pushes into me and deepens the kiss. “I don’t like this,” I repeat, drawing a gentle finger down her cheek.
“I’ll explain, I promise, but I swear I’m fine.” Taking her at her word, I let it go for now. I nod and watch as she inhales deeply before turning around, grabbing each of our hands, and walking towards her family's table.
“Mom, Dad.” She waits until they look at her. “This is Callan Young and Eli Ford. I’ve been seeing them.”
“Seeing them…” her mom mutters, a sour look crossing her face.
“Well, one date, technically, but there’s a connection that we’re eager to explore.” Gray ignores the disapproval from her mother.
Her father clears his throat and stands, offering us each a hand. “If this is what Gray wants, then that’s what she wants.” He casts a look at the other people at the table, and each of their faces slackens and shuts them up. “Would you like to join us for lunch? We just sat down a few minutes ago.”
“We hadn't intended to intrude; we only wanted to ensure Gray was alright,” Eli replies and glances down at the woman between us.
“Please stay,” she pleads softly.
“No intrusion at all," Wyatt assures. "Margo has had a lot to say about the two of you, and Gray has been silently fuming andwaiting to get a chance to defend the nonsense. You being here allows us to get to know you and form our own opinions.” The man is stoic and doesn’t give a lot away.
“If you’re certain?” I hedge. He nods and motions to open spots near where Gray had been sitting. We take a seat on either side of her, and a minute later, a plate of food is brought in for Eli and me. “Thank you.”
“Grace,” her mother says, and I see our girl tense. “Why don’t you introduce the gentlemen to everyone.”
“Sure,” she bites out. “You’ve met Sally; that’s her husband, Sam. You also know Margo, and that’s her husband, Johnathan.”The asshole she lost her virginity to.I’d like to punch him in the jaw for taking something from her she wasn’t ready to give. “And my brother David and his wife, Ashley.” The way she says her brother’s name with a tremble in her voice tells me all I need to know.
David is the one who smacked her, and from how he fidgets in his seat, I know he recognizes the fury rolling through me.