“He stayed and put the birdfeeder in for me. We chatted for a bit.”
A moment passed while I watched the birds enjoying their supper, not sure what to say, even less sure how to explain.
Eventually, my grandmother asked quietly, “Why didn’t you want him to meet us?”
“It’s complicated.” My voice was sandpaper rough and barely above a whisper. But the answer in my head—the one I couldn’t say—was loud, a vicious reminder.We’re a secret. He doesn’t want anyone to know.
“What’s complicated about it? Are you embarrassed of us?”
I quickly turned to face her. “No, Grandma. Of course not. We’re—we’re keeping it a secret. It’s complicated for the reason you just said. He’s the boyfrom across the street. He’s a Judd. And he accused me of vandalism, among many other things over the years. We’ve fought like cats and dogs our whole lives. Everyone in this town knows who we are to each other.”
“No,” she replied, blue eyes gentle. “They might know who you’vebeento each other. But only the two of you know the truth.”
When I didn’t respond, my grandmother smiled, the laugh lines around her eyes and mouth deepening. “I like him.”
That made me chuckle despite my mood. “Everyone likes him.”Even me, I thought wearily.
“Even you,” she said, reading my mind like a damn television infomercial psychic.
I swallowed.
She laughed again. “Sometimes, the way we feel changes, Mac. And that’s okay. Maybe youdidfight like cats and dogs. Maybe you did hate him.”No, I didn’t, my heart protested. “But it’s not admitting defeat now because your point of view shifted. I’ve known your grandfather for almost fifty years. Don’t you think we’ve changed? How you care about someone changes with you. Love isn’t a true-or-false statement. It’s a spectrum, and it sounds like you’ve experienced both ends.”
My nose was stinging and I didn’t think I could answer her. I couldn’t bring myself to argue and say Brady and I were just fooling around. That it wasn’t anything serious. My mouth wouldn’t have formed the words if I tried.
“It’s okay to be happy, Mac. Even if you didn’t expect to be.”
She sounded hopeful, but I didn’t know if what she’d said was true. Expectations were weighty, cruel things. They pinned you in place and held you hostage, if you let them. Like butterfly wings on a board.
Finally, she said, “You should have invited him to your party tonight, sweet pea.”
With a knowing smile and a squeeze to my hand, my grandmother turned and walked back into the kitchen.
I listened to her footsteps fade, and when I was sure she couldn’t hear me, I whispered to myself, “I know.”
fifteen
BRADY
The door swung open, and Mac said, “’Bout time.”
I stepped inside and toed off my shoes. “Sorry, Your Majesty. Some of us don’t get to sit in an office all day. I wanted to shower and change.”
“You could have showered here with me.” Her grin was sharp, a challenge.
I wrapped my arms around her and hauled her close, rasping into her neck, “We both know I wouldn’t have gotten clean that way.”
Mac’s giggle broke off as my lips worked their way down the column of her throat. “Yes,” she groaned. “Keep doing that.”
It had been nearly two weeks since I’d been over to her place and vice versa. Her grandparents had stayed through Easter. The RV had pulled out earlier today en route to Florida once more. For some reason, Mac hadn’t been open to sneaking out or using the tiny house like we had in the past. We’d still texted, and I’d visited her office at Grandpappy’s, but she’d made her excuses about spending our evenings together.
However, earlier today, I’d gotten a message announcing Nola and Junior’s departure, saying we were in the clear and the house was ours if I was free. I’d let the text sit there for all of twelve seconds before replying. Of course I’d be there.
I’d missed her, missed this.
As my hands drifted beneath the hem of her shirt, teasing and slow, I could feel her trying to rush us. Her fingers were at my waistband doing terrible, distracting things. For as much as I was eager for her touch, I wouldn’t be hurried along. This was the first time I’d had her all to myself in weeks, and I didn’t plan on racing to the finish line.
In a surprise move, I released her and bent low, lifting her over my shoulder.
