“Oh.” And immediately Grandma is out of her chair. “Good night, everyone!”
Hand in hand, they head toward her house without another word. They seem so in tune. Just her and him.
“They’re like geriatric rabbits. How are they having more sex than us?” mumbles Nash. “I mean, the man had a hip replacement a few years back.”
“You’re being ageist,” I say. “I’m just happy they’re happy. Though Grandma also had a frozen shoulder for a while not long ago. I don’t want to be thinking about this. Why are you making me think about this?”
Angus sets his guitar aside. “I guess where there’s a will there’s a way. And since I don’t want to be a third wheel here, or listen to Charlie and Audrey go at it, I’m going for a drive.”
“See you later, brother,” answers Nash.
As soon as we’re alone, I turn to the man who has my heart on a string and say, “We need to talk.”
He immediately frowns. “What have I done?”
“Nothing. We just need to clarify some things.”
“I don’t believe you,” he says. “If you’re leaving me, can I come too, or would that make things awkward?”
I snort. “There are no plans at present to leave you or The Bend.”
“Can I get that in writing?”
“This is actually what we need to talk about. I haven’t heard from your lawyer.” And while I do my best to settle back comfortably in the chair, this is in no way, shape or form a comfortable conversation. I do, however, need to make peace with the topic.
“I haven’t contacted them yet,” he says.
“So, you’ll do it tomorrow?”
He nods and strums his guitar.
“I was thinking…since I’m maybe living with you for a while—”
“Maybe?” He raises a brow. “Your belongings are in my bedroom, my sweet. What’s this maybe?”
“Since I’m living with you for a while—”
“For a while?”
“Can I finish this sentence?”
He presses his lips together. “Yes. Sorry.”
“Your lawyer should probably have something made up regarding our situation, to make sure you’re covered.” My hands twist and turn in my lap. Such a sure sign of nerves. “To protect your money and house, etcetera.”
“You’re being awful serious tonight, Junebug. Can’t say I like it.” He sighs. “There’s a document you can sign if you want to.”
“One that your previous partners signed?”
“Yes.” And he starts playing “Babydoll”by Dominic Fike. Flames from the firepit cast shadows over his face. He really is beautiful. “It would be the smart and sensible thing to do. You’re right about that,” he says. “Just wasn’t sure how either of us would feel about our relationship being reduced to legal speak and a contract.”
“It’s a valid concern. I know you left that world and want to start over. I just don’t want you to ever have to worry about these sorts of things. Me making money off knowing you or claiming you owe me something.”
He nods again and stares at my right hand. The one where I am now wearing the diamond ring. Because we’re not engaged. We never really were. He just gifted me an amazing piece of jewelry for which I am immensely grateful, but yeah.
“Want to tell me about the ex who sold you out?” I ask. “The one your brother mentioned?”
“There were a few of them.” His smile is bitter. “From the early days…”
