Sean shrugs. “She lost UNO.”
“Don’t listen to those ninnies,” Grandma says. “She says she’s fine, but I know she’s been waiting for you.”
Something stabs me in the back. Quite literally, and I look at Grandma again.
Grandma glares. “Don’t make her wait any longer, Muscles.”
That’s all the motivation I need.
I eagerly leave the kitchen and the seven pairs of judging eyes.
Every footstep down the hall feels heavier than the last. What if she’s changed her mind about loving me? What if she’s given up already?
I stand outside her door for at least five minutes. Why am I not moving?
“Really, Muscles?” Grandma appears beside me. “Do I have to do everything?” She raps on the door then waddles around the corner of the hall, where I suspect she’ll stay for the next twenty to thirty minutes.
The door creaks open and my heart jumps out of my chest. Straight to her, where it’s always belonged.
“Grant?”
She’s beautiful. She’s wearing sweats, and her hair and makeup aren’t done. But there’s nothing more attractive to me.
“Lennox.” Her name rushes out of my mouth like a breath of fresh air.
I know her family is just down the hall, so I step inside her room and shut the door behind me. This puts us chest to chest and completely in the dark.
Perhaps I didn’t think this one through either. I guess being in love doesn’t give you all the answers.
“What are you doing?” She asks, and even in the dark, I know she’s smiling.
“I’m here to fix the mistake I made two days ago by not telling you something,” I say.
“Oh,” she breathes. “Should I turn on the light?”
“I’ll tell you either way and then kiss you regardless, so it’s your choice,” I say fervently.
“In that case…” Her hand finds mine instead of the light switch and I fall a little more in love with her.
“I didn’t have a loving family like you did.” I start. “So I lied to you guys. I was terrified that if anyone ever found out my deep dark secrets, I’d be rejected from the only family I’ve ever really known.”
“But Grant—”
“Shh, sweetheart, I know. I should have been smart enough to see that your family would never reject me. Thatyouwould never reject me.”
She lifts a hand to my chest, and while I’m quite happy with where this is going, I’m not finished yet.
I cover her hand with mine.
“That’s why I never told you how I felt. I feared that if you didn’t feel the same, I wouldn’t be able to come around anymore. So when you told me you loved me, I freaked out. I haven’t heard those words since I was fourteen, and they meant so much more coming from you. You’re the most important person in the world to me and I want to make you happy. But I had to be sure I wouldn’t screw this up first.”
“Grant,” she whispers. “Everyone screws up. The only thing that matters is that we keep trying.”
My eyes burn, and for once, I let the tears fall without a battle. “This tattoo on my chest was the promise I made to myself, and to you, to be the man you deserved.” I slide a hand up her arm and tangle it in her hair. “I love you, Lennox Bentley.”
I feel her lean in, feel myself close the distance, and then—
“He said it! He said he loved her!” Someone hollers on the other side of the door.
