He leans in with that dirty grin blooming. “If I took you back to my place, I’d want to jump your bones.”
“I’d let you jump my bones, Jones,” I counter so quickly he raises his brows in amusement.
“That’s what I thought.” Grant shakes his head. “It needs to be right.” He gives my hand a squeeze. Grant has a way of gazing at you as if he’s pouring his entire soul into your eyes. “I wanted to talk to you—get things on the right track between us.”
“We’re on the right track,” I offer. “I vote we leave now.” I’m only half-teasing.
Grant belts out a laugh, and I join him. I’ve never felt a burst of joy the way I did in that hospital when I inadvertently heard his declaration of love for me, even if it was targeted at my brother at the time.
“I guess there’s no more hiding from Owen.” I toast him with my coffee before taking a sip.
“I’m glad.” Grant tips his head thoughtfully. “I think there are a few other siblings we should square things away with.”
“I don’t have any other siblings, other than Aub—” I stop short before her name comes to completion on my lips. It feels sacrilegious speaking her name in front of him. “Do you really think we can work?” My entire body aches as I ask the question. “You know, she’s not your favorite person. Not that I want her to be. I understand that, and I’m more than okay with it, but…”
“But you love her.” He nods. “Yes, we can work, Ava. We will work.” His determined gaze presses into mine. “I’m not out to get her. I’m not out to hurt her with words or anything else.”
“Okay,” it comes out quiet because a thought comes to me, and I’m almost too afraid to give it.
Grant rubs a small circle on the inside of my palm. “What are you thinking?”
“I’m thinking that tomorrow when I visit her, you should come with me.”
The North Carolina Women’sCorrectional Facility is decked out for the holidays in its own sterile, yet kitschy manner with green foil wreathes, plastic Santa faces, and dozens of dime store stockings hung with names written in gold glitter.
Aubree needed to clear this visit, so technically, she knows my boyfriend will be here—she just doesn’t realize who he is. A part of me wanted to tell her everything, but another part of me didn’t want her to freak out and cancel a moment that I think needs to happen.
If Grant had said no, if he even remotely hesitated, I wouldn’t have pushed it. But the fact he was onboard cinched the fact this was something we should do, the sooner the better. We talked for hours about how this might feel. I told him what it was like to go through life labeled as the killer’s sister. Grant shared the immeasurable pain of what it felt like to have an arid space where his sister, his best friend once stood. We washed ourselves in tears, but we both still agreed this visit was an integral part of our healing. Owen drove out with us, making small talk with Grant all the way here about basketball, the football team—his quarterback buddy, Rex, in particular. As much as I thought that Owen would hate the fact I have someone in my life, he’s actually far calmer and saner about the situation than I ever imagined he was capable of. It makes me a touch proud of my big bro. In a way, I feel as if we’ve both grown from this experience. And it’s precisely this reason that has me thinking I need to remove the chains I’ve inadvertently placed on the relationship I have with Piper. If I want Owen to get along with Grant—especially now that I see how happy it makes me—I’m going to make every effort to get along with Piper. She’s cool, and beautiful, and a ton of fun to hang around with, so I foresee a great relationship on the horizon. Plus, she’s Daisy’s best friend, which makes for a total bonus. The first thing I’m going to do is apologize for being so ridiculous. I want Owen to be happy. I realize now that he has room in his heart for the both of us.
Grant gives my hand a squeeze as we enter the cafeteria where Aubree will join us shortly.
“What if she freaks?” He glances back the way we came in as if piecing together an exit strategy.
“She won’t. She’s actually pretty reasonable these days.” I grimace at the words. No matter how I slice Aubree, I can’t help but feel like I’m being disrespectful to his sister.
“It’s okay.” He wraps his arm around my shoulder. “I’d be more than thrilled if she were reasonable these days.”
Aubree enters through the large double doors, giggling at the sight of us, an ear-to-ear grin on her face at the prospect of meeting the boy I’ve been stealing kisses from. On second thought, maybe I should have told her who I was bringing to meet her. I’d do anything if I could turn down the volume on her perky, bubbly self.
She has her hair combed neat, and a swath of color on her lips. She gives a spastic wave at Grant, making it obvious she’s elated to see him.
Owen is the first to greet her, but she practically dives past him and onto Grant.
“It’s so nice to meet you!” She beams. Aubree’s eyes are twin emeralds, large and round as quarters. Aubree has always been a stunning beauty, and prison hasn’t changed that all too much. “Ava has only said the nicest things about you. Please”—she motions to the table—“have a seat.” Aubree’s hospitality toward Grant is so charming you’d think she were offering him a seat in her own home, and in a lot of ways that’s true. But I’m not too sure Grant will ever be charmed by the woman who took his beloved sister’s life.
Grant nods with a warm smile. “It’s nice to meet you, too.” He sounds genuine, unreserved, and already the two of them have put me at ease. But how can he mean it? I know this is hard for him. As much as I don’t want it to, it has to be killing him on some level.
Owen leans in, staring at our sister intently. “Aub, we have something to tell you. Ava and her boyfriend are pretty serious about one another, but there’s something else you should know.”
Her mouth drops open before her hands fly up to her lips. “Oh dear God, you’re having a baby!” She continues her never-ending intake of air, and for a moment, I’m afraid she might pass out.
Honestly—a baby? I’m dating the brother of the girl she murdered, and Aubree goes for the fetal gold. Always the optimist.
“No.” I reach over and take up her hand before the guard steps forward, and I’m quick to let go. “Grant and I sort of have a strange history. We’re doing everything we can to overcome it, and that’s a very big part of why I’ve brought him here to meet you.” I glance to Grant, and his eyes are glued to Aubree. That shadow of grief that has followed him for so long actually looks as if it’s receding, replaced with a look of pity for my sister.
“I’m Grant Jones.” He bobs his head with the admission. “I’m Stephanie’s brother.”
Aubree bleeds out all color as she leans hard in her seat. It’s clear Grant’s intro has knocked the wind out of her happy sails. The smile erodes from her lips, and her once lively emerald eyes have clouded over, numb and cold as iron.
