“What I’m asking for is to evacuate this car,” I mutter.
“Besides,” he continues, “it’s nice and toasty in here.”
“I feel like Iama piece of toast right now, Danny.”
Shit. We pull up to a red light and he turns to face me. Pure joy flashes across his face, eyes sparkling with delight.
“Don’t be weird about it,” I groan.
“What do you mean? Me,Danny, be weird about what?” He grins like he just won Offensive Player of the Year. “If anyone’s weird, it’s you, Gracie.”
I let out a big breath and focus on the miniscule gap between his two front teeth that he can’t stop flashing. This man is happy to see me.
If he thinks it’s strange that I showed up after ten years of mutual silence without warning, he doesn’t show it. In fact, he cuts me off every time I try to mention it. In a way, it’s almost like he had prepared for it somehow.
Danny may want to catch up like old times, but I’m here for one reason only: to deliver the crumpled letter currently burning a hole in my pocket.
Chapter 5
Grace
Ten Years Old
The petoskey stone in my denim jumper pocket bounces up and down as I try to keep up with Danny.
“Keep up or keep out, Susannah Sinclair!”
“Stop running so fast. And d-don’t call me Susannah!”
“If you want to be the greatest in the world like I do, you have to put in the work, Suze!” Danny calls as he disappears into the woods behind our houses, beelining toward our special spot.
I would follow him anywhere, and I do. My jelly sandals kick up dirt as I pick up my pace and try to hide the pain I feel in my ribs.
“Quit it with the S name! I’m keeping Charger company.” I throw an affectionate smile to the chocolate labrador trailing leisurely behind me. Danny slows his pace, and I catch up to walk beside him.
“Okay, okay, Gracie. You know I like messing with you sometimes.” He grins. When Danny smiles, really smiles, he does it with his whole face.
He’s the only person in the whole world who calls me by my middle name, Grace.I love it.Mama wanted it to be my first name, but she compromised with Dad on Susannah when I was born.
“I’ll kick your b-b-butt!” I puff out a frustrated breath, blowing one of my red curls away from my face. I hate my stutter.
“Gracie, slow down. It gets worse when you talk too fast.”
Ever since Mama went to Heaven last year, I can’t seem to control the way my words come out. My stutter bothers Dad. I think it reminds him that she’s gone. But when he gets angry at my stumbles, I end up stuttering even more. Sometimes I go days without talking, just so he won’t get mad.
Dad doesn’t seem to notice.
Danny holds up three fingers and wiggles them near my mouth. “Take a deep breath and blow out the candles.”
I smile softly and lean forward, breathing in through my nose before blowing on his hand. He puts two fingers down, but keeps wiggling his pointer finger with a mischievous look. I take another deep breath and lean closer, blowing a stronger gust of air on the remaining finger. He swiftly puts it down.
He always knows exactly what to do to make me feel better.
I can’t help my grin. “You’re my favorite.”
He tosses the football he brought into the air and catches it. “And the New York Mustangs are the best team in the league!”
“Huh?”
