AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“You’d better figure it out and fast. There’s a girl up there who looked at you like the sun shone out of your ass. She’s young. Don’t hurt her.”
“I’m not going to hurt her. I’m trying to protect her.”
“Doesn’t stop people from hurting people.”
Yeah, they both knew that too well. “I’m sorry I got you involved in this.”
“Not as sorry as I am.” Josh squeezed his eyes shut. “Just work it out. Don’t make her unhappy. Hell, don’t make yourself unhappy. And most of all, don’t hurt Mom.”
“I’m trying not to do any of those things,” Michael said.
“I know. You’re a good man. You just make really shit decisions sometimes.”
“Story of my life,” Michael muttered. But the decision to be with Grace didn’t seem like shit. It felt like the only right choice he’d made in a long, long time. “But this thing… I don’t know. I’ll sort it out.”
“Will you still see her after you go back to London?”
“That’s what I’m going to sort out.”
“Okay.” Josh frowned. “Actually, that’s not okay. What does that mean? You’re still going to see her? Are you going to tell everyone?”
“I love you, bro, but this is a conversation for me and Grace, not you and me.”
Josh shrugged. “Yeah, I get that. I just don’t want to be taken by surprise again, you know? I’ll cover for you, but don’t mess me over.”
“I’d never do that to you,” Michael told him.
“I know.” Josh nodded. “I do.” He finished his coffee and put the cup down. “Just don’t get hurt, Mike. You’ve been away for so long and I know you too well. Something goes wrong and you bolt.”
“I’m not doing that. I’m working this out. I’ve learned from my mistakes.”
“Okay.” Josh looked sceptical.
“Are we good?” Michael asked him.
“Yeah, we’re good. Now go back to your girlfriend.”
Michael opened his mouth to say that Grace wasn’t his girlfriend, but then he stopped. Because she was. Or something like that.
Something more.
She hadn’t asked for a name to what they had going between them. She just gave and he took and that had to stop. He needed to get control of things. Needed to work out his next steps.
He stood and so did Josh, and they threw their arms around each other. And for a minute Michael was fifteen again, and Josh was eight and they were both scared as hell.
“I love you,” Josh muttered.
“I love you, too.” Michael touched his brother’s face, warmth enveloping him. “I’ll call you later.”
* * *
Grace had showered. Taken a bite of a croissant that turned to dust in her mouth and put it back down on the plate. Stared out of the window at Charleston as it slowly awoke from its nighttime slumber.
And waited.
It felt like a lifetime had passed before she heard the click of the door and the slow creak as it opened up. Her heart rattled against her chest as she walked into the hallway, her eyes catching Michael’s.
He looked tired. But not upset.
