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“You doing all right?” Cam asked a few minutes later when he got back from taking Mia to bed. He picked up a beer from the cooler.
“Yep. Mom okay?”
“She is. Just got her into bed.” Cam took a long sip of beer. Michael gave him a sympathetic smile. He knew this was hard on his stepdad.
A memory flashed into Michael’s mind. Of Cam patiently playing ball with Josh, who couldn’t throw to save his life. But Cam had patiently worked with him every day until Josh made the junior varsity team.
He was a good guy. Michael knew they were lucky to have him in their lives.
“Thank you for taking care of her.” He meant it. One of the main reasons he could pursue his career in London was because he knew his mom was happy.
Cam gave him a strange look. “What else would I do? She’s my life.”
“I know,” Michael said. “And I know it’s been hard on you, too.”
Cam swallowed. “It’s easier now that you’re here.”
They exchanged a look. “It took me long enough.” Michael lifted a brow.
“You have a career. A good one. We’re both proud of you.” Cam nodded at him, and Michael nodded back.
“Thanks.” Michael’s voice was low. Cam nodded and walked off, grabbing another beer from the cooler before joining his brothers, slumping down on a chair and running his free hand through his hair.
This was why he was back. To take care of his family and make sure they were okay. Not to keep looking over at the pretty girl in shorts and a hoodie who he never should have touched.
It was old history. Finished. Forgotten.
Now he just needed to make it stay that way.
* * *
Grace wasn’t really a fan of beer. And it wasn’t a fine wine kind of party, so she was as sober as a judge as she watched her cousins crowd around Presley and Marley and singAmerican Pie.
It was funny, because her first boss in France had called her Miss American Pie. Back when she hadn’t mastered the language, and definitely not the accent. She’d worked hard to fit in, though.
“I have to leave,” Ethan said, reluctantly glancing at his watch. “I’m on call tomorrow, so I’ll need to be up stupidly early.”
Was it wrong that she was relieved? She’d pictured an embarrassing goodbye where he tried to get himself an invite to her house. “Good plan,” she said, nodding. “Take care getting home.”
“Walk me to the front of the house?” he asked.
“Oh. Um…” Grace looked around, but she couldn’t grasp at a way to say no. “Okay.” It would be a chance to sneak into her aunt and uncle’s house and make a coffee, anyway. She was tired, but also the designated driver for Presley and Marley, so she wouldn’t be leaving until they did. She ignored the knowing looks and followed Ethan through the vast lawn where everybody was sitting, to the driveway beyond.
His mom was waiting for him in the driver’s seat of a station wagon. Grace tried not to find it funny that even at twenty-six his mom was picking him up, but somehow this town made you feel like you were still a kid. Still a night’s sleep away from first period math and a pop quiz, you knew you were going to flunk.
Hartson’s Creek was Neverland. The town where nobody grew up.
“Oh, let me give you back your hoodie,” she said as Ethan nodded at his mom.
“There’s no need. I’ll pick it up from you later.”
Ugh, she’d pass on that one. Ignoring him, she pulled the hoodie over her head, the movement dragging her t-shirt from the waistband of her shorts, exposing her stomach to the cool night air.
She gave it to Ethan and tucked herself in again.
“I had a good night. Thank you.” Ethan leaned forward and kissed her cheek. He smelled of beer. It was nauseating. For the animals’ sake she hoped he didn’t smell like that in the morning.
“No problem.” Her voice was clipped. “See you around, Ethan.”
