“What brings you by?” I asked lightly, even though dread had pooled in my stomach. She knew. I’d acted strangely when the news had been on last night, and she’d pieced it together. Robbie could easily find the truth if he was looking for it.
“Can I come in?” Esme asked.
I stepped back, gesturing for her to enter. “You want coffee?”
“No, I’ve had enough. What I would like, though, is the truth.”
I swallowed. She definitely knew. “The truth about what?”
“Who are you, Grady? And don’t lie to me or, I swear to God, I’ll punch you right in the nose.”
Chuckling at the image that brought to mind, I shut the door behind me to see her tearing off her rain jacket. She had her hair in a ponytail, but baby strands curled at the nape of her long, graceful neck. “Come sit.”
I followed her over to the couch, settling on one end, bracing myself for what was to come.
“What do you want to know?” I asked.
“Everything.”
7
ESME
Isat in my usual spot on Grady’s couch. Grady sat on the other end, looking wary, his usual open expression shuttered.
“I don’t know where to start.” Grady crossed his arms over his chest. “How much do you know?”
“Only what Robbie found online.”
“So basically everything?” Grady shook his head, then pinched the bridge of his nose between his thumb and middle finger.
“I know Sean Hale’s your father. I know your mother died when you were a teenager. I know you were a talent agent. What I don’t know is why you’ve lied to me about it for years.”
“I didn’t lie. I just omitted some facts.”
“Some very important facts,” I said, fighting tears. “I thought we were best friends, and now I don’t even know if I have any clue who you truly are.”
“You know me.”
“No, Grady. No.” I waved a hand in front of my chest, shaking my head. “Don’t do that. I want you to tell me why you’ve lied to me when I’ve told you absolutely everything about myself, warts and all.”
“You don’t have any warts.”
“My ex-husband’s the biggest wart of all,” I said, fighting a smile. Darn Grady for being so charming. So handsome. “Why did you keep this from me?”
“It’s not like I chose to keep only you in the dark.” He rubbed his forehead with the palm of his hand. “Okay, let me see if I can explain all of this to you. I came here to start fresh. When the story broke, my sister and I had no idea what he’d done. To us, he was just our father. Not a good one, mind you. Arrogant, and often cruel. Ruled the house like he was the king and we were his servants. But we did not know he was a monster capable of doing the things they accused him of. The things he did.”
“You truly had no idea?”
“None whatsoever. I know it seems impossible, given the scope of his crimes, but it’s true. After our mother died, he was rarely home, always working or on location somewhere. Both my sister and I wanted to be in the movie business. She wanted to be an actress, like our mother had been before she married. I always had an eye for talent—could spot star potential—so becoming an agent seemed like a good fit. And it was. I had a blast. But then, when it all came crashing down around us, when we heard those women’s stories—.” He paused, clearly trying to get control of his emotions. “It broke me. I couldn’t see the world the same way. I wanted nothing to do with Sean Hale or Hollywood or any of the sickening things that happen in that business. So I sold everything. Quit my job. And I just got in the car, with my boards and some clothes and headed north. When I drove into Willet Cove for the first time, I knew this was it.”
“And the surf shop was for sale?”
“That’s right. It all seemed meant to be.”
“But why not tell people who you really are? Why not tell me?”
“It’s hard to explain.”
