Page 67 of Paths
“Yes,” she says, relieved. “He makes it sound as if having episodes isn’t a big deal, but after watching him go through many, it’s a huge deal and very dangerous. What he didn’t tell us, but I know from all the years he’s dealt with this, is if the meds don’t work, it could require surgery. I hope it doesn’t come to that.”
“I hope not, too.” We make our way back to the monster tree and I ask, “Since there’s no bowling alley, what do you want to do before the big event? We’ve got two hours.”
She pulls in a big breath. “I could use a run. Do you mind?”
I put my hand to the back of her head and pull her to me for a kiss. “I followed you all the way to Buffalo. You think I won’t go a few more miles?”
“Good.” She smiles. “I definitely need to work out my nervous energy.”
We head to the front door so we can get our bags.
“You know, there’re other ways to release your nervous energy.” I look back at her and she smirks at me.
I can’t wait for the day I can help work her nerves out in other ways.
*****
Maya –
My fucking mother.
She’s such a bitch.
Gah.
I need to settle down. If I don’t, I’m going to end up with an angry makeup application and that would be scary.
Grady and I ran six miles, but this wasn’t a race. This was me running and Grady keeping pace with me but two strides back. I think it was his way to be close but give me my space, and I needed it.
I’d say Grady is perfect, but he’s not. Ever since I threw myself at him in front of Weston, he’s done exactly what I needed, even when I didn’t know I needed it. He’s protected me, he’s stood by my side, and he’s never wavered. In that way, he’s more perfect than I deserve.
But he’s not proper, he’s not formal, and he makes inappropriate comments all the time. He makes bets that, no matter the outcome, I end up cooking for him and he gets his way. And he relentlessly teases me. These are not perfect qualities.
Or so I’ve been taught.
But Grady’s not perfect qualities are what makes me want him even more as our hours and days together add up. Having him meet Joe probably seemed like a non-event for everyone else, but not for me. I couldn’t wait for the most important person to me to meet the new man in my life, whose imperfect qualities make me weak.
Even though running usually helps when I’m tense, it didn’t help today. I’m more wound than I’ve been in a long time. I lean over the vanity toward the mirror to apply my mascara, and I see Grady standing in the doorway behind me.
I sound funny since I can only apply mascara with my mouth open. “Hey.”
“Hey, yourself.”
Freshly showered, Grady’s wearing suit pants in a gray so dark, they’re almost charcoal. His dress shirt is pressed to perfection, making me wonder how it traveled so well, but only for a second. Because all I see are his eyes, brighter than normal because of the deep blue of his shirt.
But his eyes don’t meet mine. They’re traveling my body, and if I’m correct, right now they’re on my ass.
Maybe I should’ve picked a more modest dress, but I’m attending a dinner in the house I grew up in with a new man. A man whom, at this point, I’m itching to impress. Not that he’s made me feel like I have to, but I want to.
It seems to have worked. I think he likes my dress.
And this does nothing to help my frazzled nerves.
Without taking his eyes off my back, he approaches until I feel his hands low on my hips. I finally get his eyes when they meet mine in the mirror.
“Beautiful.” His voice is lower than usual, even a bit rough. When the word beautiful passes his full lips, I feel his hands tense on me.
“You clean up well, too, Grady Cain,” I say and bite my lip, twisting my mascara shut and tossing it to the counter.
