“Sorry I’m late,” he apologized. “We got hung up after the mediation.”
“No problem. I’m not in a rush.”
“Just water for me, thanks,” Grady told the server, and turned to me. “How’s it going?”
“Had a depressing conference with a client. Her husband walked out on her and their six-year-old. He’s having an affair with the yoga instructor. Doesn’t want a custody arrangement with the child.”
Grady made a face. “I hate those cases. As a kid who never knew his mother or father, I don’t get how a parent willingly walks away.” Despite myself, I must’ve reacted because Grady hitched his chair closer. “What’s wrong? Are you all right?”
“Yeah, sure.” I laughed it off, then decided, fuck it. No reason to lie any longer. “No, actually, I’m not.” I gripped the stem of my water glass, but the server returned to take our order, so I waited, nerves jumping, until he was out of earshot.
“I was one of those kids whose mother walked out on them.”
As I related my sad tale of woe, Grady’s face grew dark with anger.
“Dammit, that’s so sad. I’m really sorry about your dad. And I understand why you’re protective of your sister, but family is gonna do what they want. We can support them, but we should also be prepared to walk away if it destroys our own peace.”
“Thanks,” I managed to squeeze out through a throat so tight, I could choke. “It’s been hard.”
“I’m here if you need to talk.” He reached out and covered my hand. “Anytime.” His eyes twinkled. “Although I think maybe you and Keston have been chatting it up a little?”
I allowed a smile, and my face grew hot. “Yeah, we’ve gotten close.” My gaze lowered to the white tablecloth for a moment before meeting Grady’s. “He’s the most interesting man I’ve ever met, and we’ve got a lot in common, even though he doesn’t seem to think so.”
“Keston’s like one of those Rubik’s Cubes. When you first see him, his pieces are all jumbled into different colors, and you wonder, how the hell can I do this, but if you try hard enough to solve his puzzle, it finally clicks and you’ve won.”
“I never give up if I want something bad enough.”
Our food came, and I dug into my burger while Grady waited. “And you want my brother? I think you two would be great together.”
“I figured that from the first night you texted me where he worked.” I grinned and popped a fry into my mouth. “But I think he’s hung up on the fact that I’m an attorney and I live in a different world, so to speak, than he does. He’s so worried about what his best friend will think. Why is that?”
“He’s torn between wanting to support his best friend and me.” Grady chewed his chicken sandwich. “I won’t deny he has a stick up his ass about authority, stemming from some problems he got into when he was young, but I think he’s gotten past it for the most part. His best friend, Ambrose, is another story. The guy hates lawyers and cops.”
In the flurry of work that morning, I’d forgotten about Keston’s friend. “Yeah, he told me about the brother being in jail and Ambrose believing he was set up, framed…what’s your take? Is it possible the arrest is problematic?”
Grady dipped his fries in ketchup. “I doubt it. Nothing I saw led me to think that. Did Keston ask you to look at the file? I did, and nothing jumped out at me.” He wiped his mouth.
“Yeah, he did ask, but I don’t want you to think I’m second-guessing you. I trust your expertise.”
“Nah, feel free. I don’t do criminal law. I’ve got copies of the papers back at the office. Want me to email them to you?”
“Yeah, that’d be easier than me having to request them. Thanks.”
We finished our meal, and I took the check. “My treat.”
“Thanks. Listen, Bailey, I know what you went through leaves lasting hurt and emotional scars. But you and Keston have more than trauma to bring you together. You give him steadiness and a sense of humor he needs, and I think he can give you a little bit of the wildness you crave. You truly complement each other.”
I had to ask, even though I wasn’t sure Grady would answer. “I know it might not be any of my business, but what did you think of Carlos?”
Grady’s eyes flickered. “Keston told me the whole story of their relationship, and I had concerns, but I wasn’t in the picture when they first met. It took Keston a while to agree to meet me,and even longer to learn to trust that my love for him was real.” His shoulders slumped. “Years, in fact. I don’t have much insight into their life as a couple because I didn’t see them together that often. Keston was extremely protective of their relationship, but I know Carlos was the impetus for Keston and me to go to therapy together.”
“But he was the real deal?”
Grady nodded. “Yeah. I’ll admit the twenty-year age difference worried me, but whenever I did meet him, I could see they were good together.” He squeezed my shoulder. “Like you are.” His smile broadened. “You really care about him, don’t you?”
“Yeah. I do.” There was no denying it.
“Good. Carlos complemented Keston. And so do you, albeit in a different way. Don’t compare yourself to his past. Make him your future.”
