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This is all happening too fast. I can’t even question Mr. and Mrs. Hale's motives. They can’t be frauds, no matter how much I want to believe they are. I don’t trust adults, because they always expect something in return. Mr. and Mrs. Hale have just randomly blazed into my life, acting like some kind of guardian angels for me.
I can’t possibly trust them…
But there’s no deception in their eyes. Their gazes are solid and relentless, truthful.
Their credentials speak for themselves, the photos, Diane’s trust in them…
And the story of Hadley and Harrison Avery — I know it’s all real.
My eyes fall on the table when I don’t have the strength to hold their gazes anymore. My head swims and I can’t focus on what Diane and them are talking about.
Yesterday, I had no one. I belonged nowhere.
I was just another lost, forgotten someone in foster care.
And now? I find out that I have a family, other than Naomi. A family who possibly cares. I’m not trailer trash, like I’ve been called all my life. I belong to an upper-class, prestigious family. But am I just a charity case to them?
“Look at me, son.” My eyes snap to Mr. Hale. His tone is authoritative and filled with absolute confidence. I don’t dare defy his command.
He reaches forward, his hand covering mine. He gives it a squeeze and doesn’t let go. His hand is surprisingly warm. “You belong with us, never doubt that. You were forced to grow up too fast, but right now, all you have to do is focus on yourself and let us do the rest. And no more fighting in that illegal pit. You’ve been there every week for almost five months now.”
My eyes widen when he mentions the pit. I open my mouth to defend myself, but then wisely shut up.
He raises his eyebrow. “I know. I know everything.”
“Sir, Mr. Hale—
He waves a flippant hand. “You can call me Ben. Or, Uncle Ben — but that’s for when you’re ready to accept me as your uncle. So, for now, I’m just Ben and she’s Naveah.”
Mrs. Hale stands and offers me her hand to take. I don’t take it. A smile tugs at her lips, as if my stubbornness amuses her. Except this is not me being stubborn. I’m merely apprehensive of their intentions.
Because I haven’t met a lot of good people in my life, I’ve started to believe they don’t exist. Miss Stranger and Diane are the only exceptions so far.
“What is expected of me?” I finally have the strength to ask. “What happens when I do something against the rules? You’ll kick me out? What happens if I’m not what you’re expecting me to be? What happens if I flunk school?”
I know I won’t. My grades are impeccable, and I have a solid GPA.
“There’s no kicking out happening.” Mr. Hale growls. “Ever. And believe it or not, Grayson — we’ve learned a lot about you in the past few weeks before actually approaching you. We know who you are.”
“And the only rule you need to explicitly follow is that we have dinner together.” Mrs. Hale smiles tenderly. “And dinner is always at seven.”
She wiggles her hand toward me again, still waiting for me to take it. “Give us a chance,” she whispers, her brown eyes soft with sincerity.
I swallow past the lump in my throat, and then I take her hand. She gives me a light squeeze, and when I stand up, she lets go. Mr. Hale follows suit and my eyes widen as he straightens to his full height.
Well, shit…he is tall. As big as me.
A smirk tugs on his lips when he notices my expression. “You get it too? The stares?”
I nod silently. Damn it all, now I know where I got my height and big frame.
He walks around the table and clasps my shoulders. “There’s one thing my mother always told us, and now I’m telling you. Family is not determined by blood. The best family for you is the family you choose. You might be related by blood, but Naveah and I chose you. And some day, I hope you choose us too.”
I don’t know what I’m expecting from Mr. and Mrs. Hale. I don’t know what my future looks like.
I don’t know how to be a family with anyone, other than Naomi.
Right now, I know nothing. My mind is simply a blank canvas. I hear Diane mentioning ‘a new beginning’ but that doesn’t make sense at all.
