Why is he angry and jealous when he doesn’t care for me in that way? Shaking my head, I hike my small bag higher on my shoulder. Guys are confusing. I hope Rush is more straightforward with his feelings. I plan on being open with mine. He walks me to the passenger side of his truck and opens the door for me. I get inside and buckle.
We don’t speak until we’re on the road.
“Are you warm enough?”
“I am, thank you.” My hands are clasped in my lap. I turn and smile at him before returning my attention to the road. It’s already dark. There are a few streetlights along this stretch of the interstate. The moon is high in the sky and following us.
“My parents made a vegetarian dish too, in case you don’t eat meat. It’s steaks and potatoes. I hope you’re okay with that. If not, my parents said they can order in whatever you want.”
“That’s nice of them. I’m fine with vegetarian. Your parents are thoughtful. Thank you.”
“You can thank them yourself. We’re here.”
It’s a shorter drive than I thought it would be. Cambridge and Delridge are a stone’s throw away from one another.
He pulls off the main road and turns into a short driveway hidden from the road by a row of giant trees. Rush parks in front of a house with three garage doors. He jerks his head toward another building to the right of the main house. “My father collects old cars. There’s also an airstrip. He flies out for business often. Seattle.”
Rush seems like a nice guy. I doubt he’s telling me all this to brag that his family has money. I go to open my door.
He stops me with his hand on my shoulder. “Let me.”
I nod. He’s a nice guy, but he’s not Trace.
We walk up to the front door side by side. Rush reaches for my hand. I pull away and tuck my hands in my armpits. Hopefully he gets the message. I’m not here to start anything with him. I’m keeping my word to Trace. I’m only here to have an adult conversation with his parents about whatever judgmental thoughts they have about the Saints.
At this moment, I’m thankful for how my father spoke to me, using words as weapons. I’ll do the same with the Grays if push comes to shove. Rush opens the door, and I’m not ready for what’s inside. Were I to have a wish come true, what’s inside the house is it.
I step inside my dream.
His parents are in the kitchen, talking and laughing. His mother is absolutely gorgeous and young-looking, probably in her mid-thirties. She’s wearing an apron with polar bears on it. His father is also youngish. Rush is the spitting image of his father with his bulk, height, blond hair, and deep blue eyes. The scent of warmth and homemade apple pie hits me. My stomach growls. I cross my arms over my midsection. It’s been a long time since I had homemade pie. My mom used to make it all the time. She also canned fruit and made jam from scratch.
“Mom, Dad.”
Rush’s parents turn toward us. Rush sets his hand on my shoulder. “This is Sorrow.”
“Hi, Sorrow. It’s nice to meet you.”
“Same, Mrs. Gray.”
“Call me Madeline, Sorrow.”
“Jack.” His father comes up to me and extends his hand. I shake it.
“She’ll have the vegetarian dish, Mom.”
“I hope you like roasted mushrooms and eggplant with white sauce.”
I nod. “Sounds delicious. Thank you. The lights, the Christmas decorations, the tree with all the beautiful ornaments and lights . . . It’s like out of a Hallmark movie.” I sweep out my arms.
His mother smiles. “That’s the best compliment, Sorrow. Thank you. Excuse me for a moment.” She rushes over to the oven and turns it off. “Pie is ready. Make yourself comfortable. The boys’ steaks are almost done. Jack’s grilling in the back.”
So that’s where Mr. Gray disappeared to after shaking my hand.
“They are a steaks and potatoes kind of guys. Could eat that for breakfast, lunch, and dinner if they had their way. Personally, all that meat is bad for the arteries.”
“You’re so young, though,” I blurt out before I can think.
She wipes her hands on her apron with a faraway look. “I had Rush when I was sixteen. Jack and I were high school sweethearts. I never thought we’d make it this far and with what we have after an unexpected pregnancy, but my Jack has worked hard to make sure we never go without again.”
