Page 71 of Paths
My Dad shakes Grady’s hand and doing what he does best, he takes over the situation, but not before glaring at Ron. He’s never liked Weston’s father. “I’m the only one without a drink and I’m hungry. Let’s eat.”
“I’m always hungry,” Grady agrees, and hands me my Cosmo.
Thankful for the evening to move along so we can be done with it, I take Grady’s hand and we move into the formal dining room. But the second I walk up to the table set for nothing less than a five-course meal, I’m stopped in my strappy heels.
“Find your place setting,” my mother directs as she takes her seat at the head of the table.
I feel my blood boil again as I look down at the finest china and crystal. Of course, my name is placed right next to Weston’s, and Grady is across from us. If I didn’t know better, I’d say my mother was still in middle school. If she thought she could pull this off, she’s crazier than I’ve given her credit for.
I step forward, grabbing Weston’s paper tented name, scrolled in calligraphy, and toss it to the other side of the table. When I look up, my mother is scowling. I return her look with a smug one as I turn to Grady. “My mother does a lovely job of welcoming guests into her home. Have a seat.”
I’m surprised Weston has the decency not to argue. Still, he appears to be holding a grudge as he rounds the table to the open chair. We all take our seats—Joe to my left, Grady to my right, and Weston across from us, flanked by his parents.
The minute we sit, the staff flocks, and my napkin is placed in my lap. I’m grateful for Joe—he starts telling our father about the training session with his medical service dog this afternoon, diverting any attention placed on Grady and me for a bit.
We’re served petite crab cakes for an appetizer, lemon garlic orzo soup, and our salad dishes have just been cleared. Until now, the conversation has remained bland, but I had a feeling it wouldn’t last long.
“Grady,” my mother starts, clearing her voice as she demands, “tell us about yourself.”
I tense and look over to Grady, who’s been nothing but relaxed all night. I wish I knew how he did that.
He asks, “What would you like to know?”
“Tell us about your family,” my mother goes on in a tone signifying she doesn’t give a shit about his family.
Grady shrugs. “I have four sisters.”
“And your parents?” my mother probes. “What do they do?”
“My parents are deceased.”
My eyes widen even though I try to control it, doing my best not to look surprised. I’ve never asked about his parents, only his sisters.
My father frowns and picks up his bourbon. “I’m sorry to hear that.”
“It’s been a long time,” Grady says.
Not satisfied, my mother keeps going. “What is it that you do?”
I feel Joe kick me under the table before he announces, “I’ve decided to change my major.”
Everyone looks at my brother, surprised, especially my father, and he asks, “Excuse me?”
“Not now, Joseph,” my mother clips. “Grady?”
Grady wipes his mouth before returning his napkin to his lap, and if we weren’t sitting in front of my ex, his parents, and my family, I’d throw myself at him. He ate his entire salad without a peep. I know he ate it to not ruffle my mother’s feathers, but by doing that, he did it for me. I obviously can’t reach over and kiss him at the moment, but if I could, I would.
“I’m a government contractor—specializing in overseas security. I’m fluent in seven languages and even more dialects.”
I try again not to look surprised, because I should know these things about the man I’m sleeping with and who’s had his hand down my pants. Even if we’re only actually sleeping together, the act itself has been incredibly intimate, especially when he was relaxing me.
“Who exactly do you provide security for?” my mother keeps on.
“I’m tired of finance,” Joe continues, as if he was asked. “Sorry, dad. It’s boring.”
“Joseph.” My mother throws him the look from hell.
Grady picks up his water, leaving his mostly full beer to go warm, and takes a drink. “All sorts of organizations. Corporations, foreign dignitaries, Americans traveling abroad. I used to travel exclusively, but I’m home now.”
