He manages to visibly pull himself together and says, “Is this because of this guy you’re dating? Did he say something to you about it?”
I have to fight to roll my eyes, and while he’s technically right, I’ve also been feeling like this for a long time. Years, to be exact, I just never had the guts to do anything about it. But with Noah having so much faith in me, it’s makes me wonder if it really is a possibility.
“It’s nothing like that,” I murmur and fidget with my hands on top of the table. “I’ve never really wanted to go into the family business. You know I’ve always loved art, and lately I’ve been thinking that I maybe, kind of want to do it as a career,” I whisper, my words barely audible but Cole’s wide-eyed stare tells me that he heard.
He takes a moment to process before a small smile covers his lips and he reaches a hand over the table to take mine in his and squeezes. “I think Mom and Dad would want you to do whatever makes you happy. I know Dad and I have had our differences, but he’s actually been making an effort with me lately, and the only reason he was so hard on me was because he wanted me to achieve the best of my ability. Mom will back you no matter what, and I think if you tell Dad how you’re feeling, then he’ll see it the same way we do. There’s no rule that says you have to follow in his footsteps, G.
“You’ve gotta do what’s best for you, and if that’s pursuing a career in art rather than sticking out your business degree and being unhappy in a job you don’t want for the rest of your life, then you have to do it. And youcando it, Gracie. You can do anything you put your mind to, I believe that with everything in me. I know you, G. You must have been thinking about this fora long time before finally bringing it up, and I’m glad you could open up to me about it. I’m here for whatever you need. If you need me to come and talk to Mom and Dad with you, then I will. I’ll be in your corner the entire way.”
Tears spring to my eyes and I blink them back, trying to pull myself together enough to thank my brother.
“You always know exactly what to say,” I murmur and try to smile, though it’s shaky.
He laughs. “I’ve been spending too much time with Noah.”
I choke on a laugh. My brother doesn’t know his best friend nearly as much as he thinks he does.
I think the only person who knows who Noah really is, is me.
“Love you, big brother.”
Cole grins. “Love you too, little sis.”
Let’s hope he still feels that way when he finds out the truth.
FORTY
NOAH
“Everyone get in here, right the fuck now!” Cole’s shout echoes throughout the cottage and there’s silence for a moment before I—and no doubt the others—spring into action.
I rush into the theater room to find Cole pacing in front of the TV before Lana strolls in, seemingly unbothered, followed by Logan and Harley.
Harley looks out of breath with a frantic look on his face while Logan looks bored.
Typical.
We’re all silent as we take a seat and wait for Cole to speak, only he doesn’t. He just continues to pace, muttering to himself as he does.
Lana sighs and breaks the silence. “What’s wrong?”
Cole swings his gaze to her, a soft look taking over his frantic features before it hardens. “Gracie is seeing someone.”
Lana, who was just about to take a drink from a bottle of water, chokes as she’s taking a sip, spitting the liquid out in front of her and gives me the side-eye, which I find strange. Why is she looking to me? It’s not like she could know about Gracie and me.
Harley looks pissed and Logan flicks his eyes in my direction before focusing back on Cole.
Meanwhile, I’m internally reeling at this news. Not that Gracie is seeing someone obviously, but at the fact Cole knows about it.
What the hell.
Clearly, he doesn’t know exactly who it is that she’s been dating because I would be pinned down as I received his fists right now if he did, but how does he know that she is?
I school my features, not wanting to let anything slip as I look towards my best friend.
“And this is a problem?” I ask, already knowing the answer but trying anyway to talk some sense into him.
I mean, if this was six months ago and Cole had made this revelation, I would be pacing and thinking of a way to put an end to it too, because it would have been some other guy that she’s seeing.
