Page 29 of Love on the Edge
This house never changes. And I wouldn't want it to.
"Grandma! Grandpa!" CC yells again.
"Lovebug!" Dad exclaims. He picks up CC and twirls her around, her laughter filling the space like it belongs there. Like it always has.
Dad sets her back down, ruffling her hair before turning to me, that knowing look in his eyes. The same look he always had when I was a kid, standing in his garage, waiting for him to teach me something new.
Grant Crosse is the man who taught me everything I know. I grew up watching him work, handing him wrenches before I even knew what they were for, listening as he explained how machines fit together, how patience and precision could fixalmost anything.He gave me a piece of himself in every lesson, every scraped knuckle, every late night spent side by side in the garage.
I love him for that.
And no matter how much time passes, no matter how much life changes, I know one thing will always be true—he’s the kind of man I can count on.
"Hi, sweetie. Did you enjoy skating?" Mom asks, her voice warm as she brushes a hand over CC’s hair.
Hannah Crosse. My mother has made this house a home. She raised us, kept us steady, made sure we never went without. Every dinner was homemade, every scraped knee tended to, every late-night homework session met with patience and encouragement.
But she didn’t just pour herself into us—she poured herself into everyone. She’s always been that way, the kind of woman who remembers birthdays, who organizes fundraisers for neighbors in need, who somehow has time to volunteer at the school and still make it home in time to put a full meal on the table.
I watch as she fusses over CC, the same way she used to fuss over me and Nina.
CC, still bouncing with energy, looks up at Dad. "Grandpa, did you hear about my spin today?"
Dad chuckles, resting a hand on her shoulder. "Your dad told me you nailed it. That true?"
CC nods fiercely. "Uh-huh! Ms. Valeria saw too! She said it was solid!"
At that, my eyes flick to the woman in question, who’s been standing quietly nearby. She shifts slightly, like she’s not used to being pulled into the family’s rhythm. But there’s something in her expression—something softer.
"That right?" Dad asks, glancing at Valeria with that steady, assessing look he gives everyone. The kind that reads people before they even realize they’re being read.
Valeria meets his gaze without hesitation. "She’s got a natural feel for the ice," she says simply. "If she keeps working, she’ll only get better."
CC beams. "Hear that, Grandpa? I’m gonna be just like Val!"
Dad grins, nudging her lightly. "You work half as hard as she does, and you just might."
Valeria doesn’t react right away, but I see the flicker of something in her eyes.
"Valeria’s the best skater ever," CC announces proudly, turning to Mom. "Right, Grandma?"
Mom laughs, ever the peacemaker. "I think she’s pretty incredible."
Valeria lets out a small breath, then clears her throat. "Thanks," she says, a little hesitant, like she’s not sure what to do with the praise.
"Let's eat, everyone!" Mom says.
We all head to the dining room. The table is packed, everything laid out like always—roast chicken, buttery mashed potatoes, green beans tossed with garlic, fresh dinner rolls that are still warm from the oven. Mom made her famous mac and cheese, the kind with the crispy top that CC always fights for.
I take a seat and look around. Drew. Nina. Ryan. Valeria. Everyone is here.
My eyes keep drifting to Valeria, she’s beautiful. That’s not news. But standing here, in my parents’ home, in something softer, something warmer than her skating clothes, I catch myself looking too long.
We all dig in and begin to eat. The table is loud, everyone talking over each other like they always do, the kind of noise that used to drive me crazy as a teenager but now feels like home.
Ryan is the first to speak, mouth half-full like always. "Alright, let’s settle this now. Greatest movie trilogy of all time. And if anyone says anything other than the originalStar Wars, they can leave."
Drew scoffs, reaching for another roll. "That’s predictable.Lord of the Ringsexists, you know."
