Patricia loosened up at his side, a new light in her expression, pouncing on her moment to shine. “When Claire heard about Foothills, she practically begged Ryder to show her around up here. She’s always wanted to move up here, haven’t you?” She nodded hopefully to Claire who nodded cheerfully back, her smile still petrified. “But, well, I’ll tell you. We’d hoped there was something going on between Ryder and Claire. Call me old fashioned, but I’d hoped she’d be the one to bring him home for good. But, as they’d told us all along, they’re just roommates.”
Gaze turning to Grady, Patricia almost seemed to relax. His brow quirked, his stomach clenched as he tried to read her.
“Bill and I are about the luckiest parents in the world. We’d met Claire as we sat to dinner that first night and were immediately charmed. But when Grady walked in, I could swear the fire in the hearth burned brighter, the sparks between these two were so strong.”
Reaching across Grady, Patricia took Claire’s hand and pulled her to her other side, examining the simple band on her finger.
Much like the others, Mrs. Olsen glanced at the odd love triangle and said, “That is... quite a story.”
Patricia patted Grady’s arm, in what seemed to be an affectionate gesture.
Pia’s smile widened with the others. “Oh my, I can imagine that storm must have set things in motion. Tell us how the sparks flew when you two met.”
Now that the story had set sail, Ryder was on it. In full charmer mode, he said, “It’s one for the books, that’s for sure. Love at first sight, as they say. Lucky for all of us, both were single and ready to take the next step in life.”
Grady bit the edge of his cheek, having no idea how to respond. His family had absolutely lost their marbles.
Haley topped the sundae with hot fudge and a cherry, adding, “While Ryder was ensuring my flight would land safely, Grady drove through the storm because he couldn’t bear to lose Claire, having only just found her.”
A hint of mist in her eyes, Patricia nodded enthusiastically. “That’s my boy. He’s always been such a romantic.”
After a dozen and a half pats on the back, the others filtered away until it was only the family standing together. Haley shifted so there was no room in the circle for anyone else to come with well wishes or to tease out the latest gossip.
Grady laced his fingers with Claire’s, the connection bolstering any hesitation that still hung with him. Now or never.
Patricia cleared her throat and leaned into Bill. As if it were an everyday habit, Bill wrapped an arm around her waist. Grady felt Ryder’s breath catch with surprise like his own had, the PDA so unfamiliar. But it didn’t seem foreign to their mother and stepfather.
“Iamproud of you, Grady,” she said. “And happy for you. Few would have done what you did.” She turned to Ryder and added, “I’m sure you’ll find someone soon. Not everyone can make as perfect of a match as Haley and Nate.”
Haley cleared her throat and looked to her brothers. She let out a long, controlled breath. “Nate fucked my best friend. In our bed.”
Something looked to be choking Patricia right in the craw, her face growing deathly pale.
“I came home for the gala to see my brothers, so I had someone to talk to. I’ve contacted my attorney about filing for divorce.” Head held high, Haley’s smile was dripping with confidence.
Total silence. No one breathed except Haley, who took an easy sip of her beer. She studied the brew and nodded. “This is excellent. Well done, Grady.”
Heaviness coating his chest, Grady ripped off the last Band-Aid. “I hate being a lawyer,” he admitted on a heavy exhale.
“But you are such a talented attorney,” Patricia said, her matching ocean blue eyes swimming with question.
“I’m good at a lot of things,” he said with a casual shrug. “I quit. I’m going to work at Black Op full time, after I help Lincoln with the transition.”
She opened her mouth to speak, but he couldn’t help but explain himself after years of dodging her judgment.
“I love the brewery. It’s soothing and thrilling. The only expectations of me are my own.”
“Well.” Patricia paused, then seemed to remember she still held the beer he’d brought her, which, admittedly, he’d delivered out of spite, knowing she wouldn’t refuse out of politeness. She took a sip and smiled. “It is a good product. And I could put in a good word at some of my favorite restaurants in Seattle.”
“Thank you. I would genuinely appreciate that.”
Ryder added, “I don’t work for free. But I could make an exception. It’ll look good on my resume.” He winked and flashed Grady a daring grin. He looked to Haley, and she nodded. They all looked to Patricia. Ryder’s smile fell, his dark brow heavy. “Mother, I know you mean well. I know you wanted us to have every opportunity. But we’re there. Let us float awhile. We’re going to stumble now and again. It’s good for us.”
Patricia’s lips pursed together, and she stiffened.
Grady said, “I know it’s not always obvious to you, but you raised good kids into capable adults that know their own minds.” He rubbed his thumb over Claire’s, and she stood tall at his side. “A few hours ago, I was ready to write you off. If you want your children to stick with you, start acting like it. No more pressure, no judgment.”
A relaxed expression softening her smile, Haley looked to be breathing the same sigh of relief Grady had been holding in. “I shouldn’t be afraid to tell my mother that I’m getting divorced. You’ll never be my shoulder to cry on, but I should know, one hundred percent, that you have my back.”
