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VAUGHN
I press my cell up to my ear, waiting for an unsuspecting Grayson Hunter to answer as my brow creases. We’re not exactlyfriends.
Acquaintances, yes. Friends would be pushing it.
But, even so, I can’t stop myself from checking in.
“Hunter.”
His answer is so abrupt, a million miles removed from the usually mild-mannered, almost afraid of his own shadow man I’ve met many times before.
“Grayson. It’s Vaughn Burton. I wanted to follow up—”
“Ah, yes. Thewavesman.” He chuckles darkly. “Calling to discover if I’ve drowned yet, buddy?”
“I don’t know why I’m calling, to be quite frank. Loss is a deep pit to claw your way out of.”
He snorts. “A pit or an ocean. Doesn’t matter 'cause it’s swallowed me whole, Burton.”
My chest tightens, and I find myself pressing the heel of my arm to the center, trying to offset the discomfort.
Rather than accept it for what it is, I try an alternate route. “How are the twins holding up? Parker and Gracie, right?”
“They’re going back to the city. School. Activities.Normality.” He exhales heavily, his voice trembling when he speaks again. “It’s important to give that to them, you know? After…well, after everything.”
His voice catches on that last word, and I shake my head silently, pressing my lips together, suddenly wishing to be anywhere but on this call.
As though in answer, Lucia pokes her head around the door. Spotting me on my cell, she points down and holds up her hand before mouthing, “Downstairs in five.”
I nod sharply as Grayson whispers so low that I need to strain to hear it. “How do you move on when everything is so messed up, Burton? Is loveeverenough?”
“I don’t know anything about love, but for what it’s worth, I share your grief.” Images of Lorenzo’s funeral flash through my head. My final conversation with his heavily pregnant girlfriend, who’d been unable to look me in the eye as she demanded to be left to grieve alone.
Maybe I was wrong to abide by her wishes.
Maybe that’s partly why I don’t want this man to grieve alone.
Pity parties for one are not a good place to be. From experience, I know that for sure.
“When are you back in town, Gray? Have you spoken to anyone? Alex?”
There’s rustling on the other end of the cell as a small voice cries out, “Daddy!”
True emotion enters Grayson’s voice then. “Princess! Imissedyou.”
I smile despite myself before Grayson speaks again. “I appreciate the call, Burton.”
Then the line goes dead, leaving me more frustrated than I was before I fucking dialed him.
With Lucia’s reminder fresh in my head, I head for the living quarters, set on changing into clothes that arenotlaced with goddamn chili oil.
As I step onto the elevator, my lips twitch, suddenly remembering the blue food coloring paste I’d put in Wren’s shower head shortly before I’d interrupted her little gossip fest.
I wonder if she showered…
The doors slide open almost soundlessly, and I step off of the car, stopping suddenly when I spot the woman waiting before me.
She’s sat on the kitchen island almost directly opposite the elevator doors. Her legs are crossed at the ankles, and she’s clad in only a stained blue towel that once was white.
