“It’s okay,” I said, walking over and giving them both a hug.
Grandma took in my appearance, forehead lines crinkling. “You don’t have any clothes that fit?”
I swallowed uncomfortably, noting that Brady’s rec league softball hoodie was definitely two sizes too big and his joggers dragged the ground while being snug through my hips. “I, uh, need to do laundry.”
She nodded like she understood. “Me too, sugar. We took the long way and have been cooped up in that RV for two days. I can’t wait to take a long, hot bath.”
“What are you doing here?” I asked.
Grandma smiled. “We came home for you, birthday girl. Your mother invited us to your party tonight. We wouldn’t miss it.”
“Oh,” I breathed, surprised they’d returned to Kirby Falls early, just for me.
“I’m going to get the rest of the food out of the RV,” my grandfather said quietly before letting himself back out the front door.
Once he was gone, Grandma Nola narrowed her eyes and said, “Okay, spill, MacKenzie Eloise.”
“What?” I nearly choked.
“Who do you have upstairs in your bedroom, young lady?”
“Grandma!” I hissed and then lowered my voice. “I am a grown woman.” And I’d never once brought a man home. There were limits to the humiliation of living with my grandparents. I loved them, but I was not about to parade some hookup or casual fling in front of them. And, Brady, well ... he was something else entirely. But that didn’t matter. I hadn’t known they’d be rolling in this morning at the ass crack of dawn.
“I’m aware,” she replied, unbothered. “I took you to get your first bra. Remember?”
“Oh my God,” I moaned, wishing she wasn’t so damn sassy. “Can we not?”
“Whose car is in the garage? And when can I meet him? Bring him down. I’ll make eggs.”
She was way too delighted by the prospect. And, truthfully, if Brady and my grandma met, they would probably be best friends, texting each other memes and cooking together on the weekends.Jesus.
I gave up. “You can meet him the next time you visit. Not right now. It’s not a good time.”
“Because he’s naked?” she asked seriously.
I could feel the blush creeping up to my hairline.
“Wow,” she murmured. “Your face is really red.”
A hysterical laugh burst out of me. “Grandma! Stop it.”
“Okay, fine.” She grinned. “I’ll go out and keep your grandfather busy. I’ll tell him I heard the RV making a weird sound. You go smuggle your man friend?—”
“Don’t call him that,” I groaned.
“—out the back. Tell him I look forward to meeting him next time.”
I nodded. “Thank you for covering for me with Grandpa.”
“Honey, neither one of you is ready for that conversation.”
While I hurried up the stairs to my bedroom, I couldn’t help but think about the next time my grandparents would be in town. Grandma Nola wasn’t going to forget this. It would probably be Memorial Day before they returned. They threw a big party at Lake Archer every year.
I wondered how much longer Brady and I would be able to keep this up.
My steps slowed as my chest grew inexplicably tight.
Would we still be sleeping together by the summer?
