Page 71 of Really Truly Yours
Never mind. I know that isn’t right, but let’s face it. CPS workers and undercover drug agents work in my neighborhood. They don’t live in it.
And professional baseball stars?
Pfft.
“Of course.” I set my napkin from my lap onto the table. Avery takes my plate as I lift it. She carries it to the farmhouse sink. I dream over home and garden-type magazines once in a while, so I know what it’s called. I have a stash of old ones by my sofa that I peruse when I’m bored and, okay, moody.
“Oh, Gray. Grab that bag over there. Sydnee’s taking it home.”
One eyebrow lifts, but like a really tall, muscular Santa, he hefts the bag with his good arm, slinging it over his shoulder without question.
At the front door. Avery and Gray share another meaningful hug. “This is big, Gray. It’s going to change things. I know it will.”
He pats her back. “I know, Aves. I only pray it’s a change for the better.”
Chapter 15
Sydnee
Avery holds the edge of the wood and glass door. She touches my sleeve. “It was so good meeting you, Sydnee. I’m sure we’ll be seeing each other again, now with even more connection to Donny.”
I smile and nod but can’t help thinking how Donny has real family now.
I wave a mental goodbye to the lovely homes in the Walker neighborhood. I’ll never live in a place like this. Which is fine. I wouldn’t fit, and the simple life suits me. Sure, it might be nice to live somewhere where ceilings didn’t cave in when it rained, but other than that, I’m good.
I’m blessed to have what I have. Grammy’s choice of me to inherit her house didn’t go down well with my brothers. Sam got over it quickly. Max? It’s one more thing he holds against me.
“You’re quiet.” Palming the gearshift, Gray tosses me a glance.
“Me?” He hasn’t said a word in some time either.
His lips purse as he puffs out a breath that vibrates his lips. “Yeah, I know.”
“You’re afraid to tell him, aren’t you?”
The end of his mouth hitches. “Not a fan of the word afraid, but, you’ve met him.”
“He’s very intense.”
Gray thrums the steering wheel. “He was the protector when I was little. I know he dealt with things I never had to. So I wouldn’t have to.”
My eyes fill. Tripp stood in the gap for his little brother. Gray was so lucky. He could have been saddled with a brother who made things worse.
“Avery is confident everything will be okay, but what if knowing about Donny makes things worse? Sends him off into some weird crazy-place?”
“You think it will?”
He rubs his chin. “Honestly? I think anything is possible. His father is a hot-button. You’ve seen how he is with Donny, and that was when he thought he was only my father. He’s gone to therapy this entire year, and, according to Avery, still won’t discuss his biological father even with the counselor. And people do weird things. What if he freaks out?”
“Grayson, you can’t take that on yourself, the what ifs. I think Avery is right. He needs to know, especially now that you do, not to mention his own wife. Secrets will only make things worse, because they’ll eventually come out.” He looks at me between peeks at the traffic on the freeway. “Good or bad, you’re not responsible for his reaction.”
Not until his gaze falls do I see what I’ve done. My hand is on his arm. He captures it, lacing our fingers.
I’d impose a separation if this big, strong man didn’t seem…untethered.
Familiar landmarks look strange from this vantage point, me in a smooth-running car with a man who’s so far out of my…
League. Yep. I might as well say it.