But my sister doesn’t smile back. She jerks herhead back and makes a gagging noise. “Ick, Gram. I don’t want to hear that about Grandpa.”
“Well, sweetie, we were all young once. No one is an angel, and your grandpa certainly wasn’t. Don’t even get me started on his time in prison.”
Tate’s eyes go wide. “What? I thought that was my childhood imagination playing tricks on me. I remember something about him going away when I was little, but I thought my memory had to be wrong. ”
Gram laughs. “I wish it were, but that doesn’t mean it’s not funny, even after all these years.”
“What in the world,” Tate says as she stares at our grandma in disbelief.
“But he’s not that man anymore,” Gram says, as if that somehow makes up for all the insanity he put her through in their marriage. “Enough about the past. What are we talking about?”
“Brax had a sleepover with a woman, and all they did was sleep,” Ma says, entering the conversation a little more.
Gram peers up at me with a concerned look. “Are you sick, baby?”
I lean over and kiss her cheek. “I’m fine. Just trying to be better.”
“Is she the one?” Gram asks as she tightens her arm around my middle.
“Oh hell, Gram. I don’t know. Do people really know that after meeting once?”
“I heard they do. I didn’t feel that way. I couldn’t stand your grandpa, but eventually, he wore me down, and the rest is history.”
“Wow,” Tate mutters as she leans back in the chair, looking bewildered. “That’s so romantic. Everything every little girl hopes for in a courtship.”
“You’ve watched too many movies, baby. Not every relationship starts with a sprinkle of magic.”
“This conversation is depressing,” Tate adds.
“When are you seeing her again?” Gram asks.
“I don’t think I am. I didn’t get her number. I only know her name.”
“Dumb boy,” Gram whispers.
“Exactly,” Tate agrees.
“What’s everyone talking about?” Dad asks as he walks up and takes the seat next to Ma.
“Your son being a dumbass,” Tate tells him.
Dad blows out a loud breath as he scrubs his hand down his face. “Well, okay.”
“He didn’t get a woman’s number,” Ma explains, motioning toward me with her hand.
“Are you feeling okay?” Dad asks.
“Exactly what I asked,” Gram replies.
I raise my hands as I straighten. “I’m fine. Sheesh. A man can spend a little time with a woman and not ask for her number. It’s not a crime.”
“Yeah, but we’re talking about you,” Tate says.
“Are you sick?” Wylder asks as he sits down at theother end of the group next to my sister. “What’s wrong?”
“I’m not sick,” I say with a growl. “You people overreact about everything.”
Wylder leans over to Tate and whispers, “What did I miss?”
