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What right did he have to hit Ethan? She hated violence. The thought of somebody hitting somebody else over her…
It made her feel sick.
“Of course. Just like he was pissed with me for getting drunk. I got a huge lecture about how vulnerable I was and that I should never put myself in that position again.” Sabrina shook her head. “He shouldn’t do it to you, though.”
“No,” Grace whispered. “He shouldn’t.”
* * *
She only half-watched the rest of the movie. As the screen flickered, she sent a message to Ethan asking if he was okay, but he hadn’t responded. She assumed he was either sleeping off the pain or didn’t have his phone. Speaking to him would have to wait until tomorrow.
Michael, on the other hand, she wasn’t sure she wanted to talk to at all. Was he really the type of man to use his fists against somebody else? She hated violence. It made her stomach twist.
Mia had fallen asleep somewhere during the second half of the movie. They all agreed that once it was over they’d wake her up and leave – she’d protest if they left before the ending. Grace counted down the minutes, barely watching as the Magnolias – minus Julia Roberts – celebrated Easter with Shelby’s baby boy.
And then the front door opened and Cam poked his head into the room, then disappeared again.
A moment later the credits started to roll and Sabrina stretched and paused the feed, as Maddie – Gray’s wife – turned the lights back on. Mia woke up and whispered in Sabrina’s ear.
“I’ll get Dad,” Sabrina said, cupping her mom’s cheek.
Cam came in to help Mia to bed, followed by Grace’s uncles – Logan, Tanner, and Gray, who were here to pick up their wives and Delilah, who was sleeping at Maddie and Gray’s for the night.
Then Grace’s dad appeared.
“Want a ride home?” he asked as her mom gathered her things up.
Grace shook her head. “I have my car here. I’ll help Sabrina clean up and head home after that.”
“You don’t have to stay,” Sabrina protested. “I can do it.”
“It won’t take more than a minute with both of us.”
They cleared up quickly, picking up glasses and straightening cushions so Mia wouldn’t have to do it in the morning. Sabrina slid a soap tablet into the dishwasher and yawned.
“I wonder where Mason is,” she said. “And Michael.”
“I don’t know,” Grace said lightly. “Well, I think we’re done here. I should head home.”
“Sure. Thank you for your help.” Sabrina grinned at her.
“Any time. And sorry about the plate. I can buy a new one.”
“It doesn’t matter.” Sabrina shook her head. “It was from Target. No biggie.”
Taking her bag and jacket, Grace said goodbye to Sabrina and left the house, opening her car door and throwing her things onto the passenger seat. She was about to climb into the driver’s side when she saw a pair of headlamps slide across the driveway, a car turning in.
Michael’s car.
He pulled up beside hers and climbed out. A pulse throbbed in her neck.
“Hey.” He looked tired. “Has everybody gone home?”
She nodded, her throat tight. “I’m the last one.”
Michael locked his car and went to walk inside.
She took a deep breath. “Is it true?”
