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“Well….me and Tilly…”
“You and Tilly what?” He questions gruffly.
“I just want you to know I tried like hell, Adam. I really did,” I say as I focus my eyes on the stove across the kitchen.
“What exactly are you trying to tell me, Greyson?” His voice sounds halfway amused now.
“I wanted to explain why I’m here and that I’m….” I trail off, trying to get the words out. It may change everything.
“That you’re in love with my sister?” He finishes.
My eyes darted to his. “You know?”
He barks out an exhausted laugh. “Of course, I fucking know.” He pushes away from the counter and jerks out a stool. He sits down and rests his elbows on the counter. “I’d have to be the most worthless cop on the force if I didn’t know.”
I lift a shoulder. “I honestly didn’t think I was being that obvious.”
Relief washes over me that he wasn’t bashing in my face, but I also hadn’t told him she was seventeen when it happened.
“I uh…” I rub my palms together, nervously. “I’ve loved her for a long time, Adam.”
“I know,” he says quietly. “And I know that when you left it was miserable for both of you, but you did the right thing.”
“How do you know all of this?” I ask in confusion.
“Grey, do you really think I didn’t keep tabs on her? She was a loose cannon. I knew she was going somewhere after school most days, so I followed her for about a week.” He faces me. “She was meeting you.”
“I talked to her like you asked me to…and things just….” I lift my hands up and drop them back to the counter.
“Developed?” He asks.
“Yeah.” I reach up, scratching my jaw. “It scared the shit out of me.” I admit. “She was young…and your sister.” I point out. “I was leaving.” I add.
He nods. “And you let her grow up. She needed that.”
“I know how it looks. That I just left her behind and went on with my life, but I never forgot her. Ever.” My voice was damn near hoarse. “When I found out she was marrying that prick, it….” I clench my fists. “It wasn’t supposed to be that way.”
“You know you weren’t very subtle,” he deadpans. “Right after you left.” He lifts a brow.
Yeah. I hadn’t told her about that.
“It pretty much solidified my suspicions when you spent the majority of your sign on bonus for her new hearing aids.”
“What?” A voice echos from behind us.
We both spin around to see Tilly standing in the doorway. “You…...you bought me the new hearing aids?” She asks, her voice wobbles with emotion.
“You needed them,” I stated.
“I’m going to be outside.” Adam slaps me on the back. “I shouldn’t have to give you the speech.”
I chuckle. “Nah, man. I’m good.”
He leaves the room and Tilly slowly crosses over to me. “I thought insurance paid for them. That’s what dad told me.”
“I asked them not to tell you. I didn’t want recognition, Rosie. I wanted you to have what you needed. To take care of you even when I couldn’t be here.”
She stops in front of me, and I land my hands on her hips, positioning her between my legs.
