Total pages in book: 86
Estimated words: 81423 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 407(@200wpm)___ 326(@250wpm)___ 271(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 81423 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 407(@200wpm)___ 326(@250wpm)___ 271(@300wpm)
They’d met in college and moved here when Mere graduated the year before. They were living together, but not married, which my parents had a big problem with. I wasn’t even going to go there. Bruno was great. I mean, hell, the guy moved to Havenwood to be with Mere, and I couldn’t imagine why anyone who wasn’t from here would want to be here. I asked him once, and he’d shrugged and said, “I love your sister. I want to be where she is,” which was like a knife to the fucking heart, even though he hadn’t known it. Living with him was the one and only thing she’d ever done that she knew didn’t fit my parents’ idea of the Grant image.
Mom walked over. I hugged her, and she kissed my cheek before saying, “You always like your hair so long,” and then ran her fingers through it.
“Ma, I have curls. That’s really sexy. All the girls say so,” I teased.
“Lawson Grant, don’t say things like that to me. And where are all these girls? I’d love for you to bring home a nice young lady.”
Fuck. That was my mistake. I should have known better than to bring up dating. It was on the tip of my tongue to tell her I brought nice young women home for the night often, but I didn’t figure that was what she meant. From there my thoughts immediately went to…and what would you say if I ever brought home a nice young man?
Mere piped in first, not that I would have said that. “Mom, come on. He just got here. Can we not start in on him already?”
I glanced over and silently thanked her.
“Oh, hello, son,” Dad said, finally realizing I was in the room.
“Hey, Dad.” My gaze found my brother next. “What’s up, Phil?”
“Nothing. Looking over numbers. It’s going to be a crazy few months, and with the baby on the way, well, we have a lot to think about.”
I knew what he was implying. He didn’t want to have to travel right away, which I understood. Dad and Phil were very hands-on when it came to Grant’s. But if there was a need for a trip, it wasn’t like Dad couldn’t do it. Still, the silent it would be a whole lot easier if you were on board was always there.
“I need some fresh air. Go outside with me, Law.” Mere to the rescue again. My sister was the best.
“Sure thing, sis.” Mere, Bruno, and I went through the French doors leading to the backyard, and headed toward the picnic table. “Thanks for the save.”
“I don’t get why we have to do the same thing over and over.”
Yeah, neither did I.
“Hey, let’s not pretend the random comment about how I haven’t made an honest woman out of you doesn’t get thrown in,” Bruno said as we sat down, and the three of us laughed. “I do plan to marry their baby girl one day. Just on our time, not theirs.”
My eyes shot to my sister at this revelation. She had the same blonde curls as I did. The same blue eyes. She smiled sweetly, and I felt a stab to my gut. Great. Now I was jealous of my sister. Thanks a lot, Remy.
She turned to Bruno. “I love you. Why do we have to rush? Why does everything have to be so by the book? When we get married, I want it to be because we’re both ready and not to get my parents off our backs.”
“Good for you, Mere,” I told her.
Bruno leaned over and kissed her. I gave him a supportive nod when he pulled away. There wasn’t a doubt in my mind they’d get married one day and be happy together. Bruno was good people, and Mere was crazy about him, but they were young. They didn’t have to be in a hurry.
His phone rang then, and he pulled it out of his pocket. “Oh, it’s my mom. I need to get this real quick.” He began to walk away as he put the phone to his ear, not far, I could still hear some of his conversation, which was why I lowered my voice when I spoke.
“Remy’s here.”
Mere’s eyes went wide. She was the only person in my family who knew I was bi. The only person who knew about Rem, because…fuck, because I’d needed someone back then. It had been a heavy burden, carrying all that alone.
“Holy shit…holy shit. How? Why? Is he out? Does he want you back? Do you want him back?”
My brain spun with all her questions. I wasn’t sure what I should answer first. “He came to Havenwood…hell, I don’t really know exactly why he chose here. He said he lost his music and he’s trying to get that back, so no, he didn’t come for me, and I don’t know if he wants me back or anything. Even if he did, he’s not out, and I sure as shit couldn’t go there again. He bought the damn house on my road, Mere. Without knowing. How in the fuck does that happen?”