Page 72 of Finding Us
“Boys,” I say, showing Frank to the door.
Frank laughs. “Ryan’s changed a lot since you gave us that money. He sleeps better. He’s eating better. He’s not so serious. I can’t thank you enough for doing that for us.”
“I loved doing it for you. I love that you guys don’t have to worry about money anymore.” I lead him past the living room over to the kitchen. “Are you hungry? I can make you something.”
“No, just some water would be good.”
I take the pitcher from the fridge and pour him some. “Grace is coming over later with Garret’s dad and Lilly. You’ll finally get to meet them.”
Frank doesn’t say anything.
“What’s wrong? You don’t want to meet them?”
He shakes his head. “It’s not that. I just need to get over the fact that Grace is a Sinclair. I know she’s your grandmother, but she’s also Royce’s mother.”
“Frank, she didn’t have anything to do with what he did to my mom. Royce wasn’t raised to be like that. Her other son isn’t like that. Well, I’ve never met him but she makes him sound nice.”
“You’re right. I shouldn’t judge her for that. I’m sure we’ll get along just fine.” He glances around the room. “This place is bigger than I thought it would be. You kept calling it a condo so I thought it would be in a building, more like an apartment.”
“Yeah, it’s not a condo. They call it a detached townhouse. We looked at a lot of condos before we found this place so I was mixing up the terms. I’m glad we got the townhouse. I like it being separate instead of in a building.”
“Are you going to give me a tour?”
“Sure. Let’s start upstairs.”
I give him the tour, then we sit out on the deck. Ryan and Garret get back an hour later.
“That wasn’t exactly a quick trip,” I say to Garret as he sits in the chair next to me.
“Yeah, well, your brother insisted we drive up the coast and I couldn’t get him to turn around.”
Ryan takes a seat next to Frank. “The views were incredible. And this weather is great. Not too hot, not too cold. I think we need to move here, Dad. What the hell are we doing in Iowa?”
Frank laughs. “Well, let’s see. You’re in love with a girl who lives there, for one.”
Ryan shrugs. “I could convince her to move.”
“So you liked the car?” I ask Ryan.
“I love it. I mean, I love mine, too, but if I were to get a convertible, that’s the one I’d get.”
“It’s all yours while you’re here.” Garret turns to me. “I told him he could use your car instead of mine. I knew he’d want the convertible.” Garret puts his arm around the back of my chair and leans over to kiss my cheek.
“Hey, get your hands off my sister!” Ryan says.
Garret quickly takes his arm back.
Ryan laughs. “I’m kidding, man. You’re marrying her in two days. I don’t care if you kiss her.”
“That was mean, Ryan,” I kid.
It’s weird because I’m not used to Ryan joking around. He’s usually so serious.
Garret gets up. “Can I get you something?” he asks Ryan and Frank. “A drink or something to eat?”
“I’d take a soda,” Ryan says. “Any kind.”
“I’m good,” Frank says, holding up his water.
