By the time we’d finished lunch, I was about ready to punch someone. My mom could sense it because she pulled me into a hug and whispered in my ear, “So pleased for you and Grae. This would make Clara so happy.”
My gut twisted. What would my sister have to say about this charade? She’d probably issue a warning about how it would all come back to bite me.
“Love you, Mom.” It was all I could say that wouldn’t be a lie.
“Jocelyn,” Lena began. “Why don’t we go check out the aesthetic design options for the gala? I want to make sure whatever dress I get doesn’t clash.”
Mom smiled, but it was strained. “Sure, that sounds like a good plan.”
As they left, Dad turned to Gabe and me. “I expect you to make sure we are prepared for Lewis’s and Clive’s visits. Do whatever it takes.”
He didn’t wait for an answer. He simply left, expecting that Gabe and I would bow to his dictates.
I headed out the moment he disappeared into the lodge. I didn’t have any desire to listen to whatever bullshit Gabe would spew. I strode through the grand lobby and out into the sunshine, needing to go for a drive. Maybe I could disappear to my spot for an hour and rein in my temper.
Footsteps sounded behind me as I headed for my SUV. “What the hell was that all about?” Gabe snapped.
“You mean why did you forget to tell me about lunch?” I asked without stopping.
“A sudden girlfriend won’t keep you off Dad’s shit list.”
I shrugged. “Not worried about what he thinks.” That would be true if it didn’t affect my mom. Whenever there was tension between us, it sent her spiraling, and she’d been through enough.
Gabe scoffed. “I guess I don’t blame you. Grae always was a hot piece of ass. Wouldn’t mind having a little taste—”
I moved so fast that he didn’t have a chance to react. I slammed Gabe up against my SUV. “Say another word, and you will live to regret it.”
Gabe laughed, but it had a maniacal and hysterical quality to it. “Well, I’ll be damned. Caden Shaw has a weakness, after all. Good to know.”
7
GRAE
I pulledinto a makeshift parking spot in front of my parents’ house and let out a long breath. There was always a mixture of emotions when coming home. Their property was truly one of my favorite places on Earth, with its acres of forest and magical mountainside views of the town and lake.
The house itself felt like it blended in with the landscape—a mix of dark wood and stone that stretched across the slope. A glass walkway joined the two halves of the structure. My mom always used to joke that having so many kids meant they needed a kids’ house and an adults’ house. But the truth was, she had always been right in the middle of the mayhem because she loved us so much.
Turning off the engine, I climbed out of my SUV and took in the other vehicles. It looked like I was the last one here. Then, my gaze caught on a familiar G-Wagon, and my stomach flipped.
I hadn’t known Caden would be here. Why hadn’t he texted me? I needed time to come up with a plan. Would he act as if nothing had changed? Or were we supposed to pretend to be a couple?
I cursed him seven ways to Sunday as I walked up to the house. Suddenly, the front door flew open, and my six-year-old, bundle-of-energy nephew barreled out. “Aunt G!”
I laughed as he launched himself at me. I had to shift so he wouldn’t knock either my glucose monitor or insulin pump free on contact, but I managed to avoid a fatal blow. Lifting him onto my hip, I ruffled his hair. “How’s my favorite kid?”
He threw his arms around my neck and hugged me tightly. “Better not tell Luke or Drew that.”
I chuckled. “It’ll stay our little secret.”
I let Charlie down, and he immediately took my hand. My heart squeezed. How many more months of this did I have? Time when Charlie wasn’t embarrassed to show his aunt affection. However long it was, I didn’t want to miss a second.
Drew and Luke had grown up way too fast. The best I got out of Luke now was a grunt on a good day, and Drew was thirteen going on twenty-one. I missed when I could cuddle them close and read them bedtime stories. I couldn’t imagine how Lawson felt. His eldest would be driving before long.
Charlie tugged me toward the front door. “Grandma made Boston cream pie for dessert, me and Uncle Nash’s favorite. Uncle Nash already tried to steal some, but Grandma smacked him with her spoon.”
“Why am I not surprised about that?”
Charlie smiled up at me with his gapped-tooth grin. “Gotta get it while you can.”
