He looks at me as if I’ve lost my mind. “Hell no.”
I glance around the house, and seeing the weapon on the kitchen table, I figure we’ll have enough time to get out before my grandfather can get to it. There’s a pile of dirty dishes and flies buzzing around the kitchen, which makes my stomach roll.
God. It looks bad.
Turning my attention back to my grandfather, I say, “You can’t live like this.”
“I’ll live however I damn well please. Get out of my house! Get!” He shuffles in the direction of the kitchen, and it has me pushing Easton out of the house.
I’ll be the most hated person in the world if I let him get shot today.
“There’s no use trying to talk to him,” I sigh as we walk to the car where Tyler, Ryan, and Noah are waiting. We left Eddie with Lainey.
I lift my hand and place it on my forehead as I glance back at the house. “I don’t know what to do.”
“Can I give some advice?” Easton asks. When I nod, he says, “He can’t live here alone. He’s clearly not getting enough to eat, and the place is filthy. I think we should put him in assisted living.”
“He’s going to lose his shit,” I mutter.
“What else do we do, Nova? We can’t just leave him like this. What if the deputy comes to check on him, and he decides to grab his shotgun?”
“I know.” My teeth worry my bottom lip.
Just then, a sheriff’s car comes up the dirt road, and we walk toward it.
Recognizing Deputy Stone, I wait for him to get out of his vehicle before I say, “Hi, Deputy. I’m so sorry about this.”
His eyes lock on Easton, then shock ripples over his face, and he stares at him, completely awestruck. “Holy shit. Easton Rowe, as I live and breathe.”
“Hi.” Easton walks toward the deputy and shakes his hand. “I’m Nova’s partner. We talked on the phone earlier.”
“I had no idea. Hot damn.” He shakes his head in disbelief. “I never thought we’d see you in these parts again.” The deputy looks like he’s a second away from asking for an autograph. “Everyone in town is so proud that you’ve made such a big name for yourself in Hollywood.”
“Thank you,” Easton replies.
I step forward to break up the ‘fanboy’ moment. “About my grandfather. He’s threatening to use his shotgun, so we can’t go inside.”
“I should’ve taken the weapon when I dropped Bill off.” Deputy Stone shakes his head. “He can’t live like this, Nova. He’s dangerous with that shotgun.”
“I know.” I look at Easton. “Maybe it will be best if we put him in assisted living.”
“There’s a nice place on Oak Drive,” the deputy informs us. “But it’s going to cost money Bill doesn’t have.”
“Don’t worry about the money,” Easton mutters.
I give the man I love a thankful look, then ask, “What do we do with him tonight?”
The deputy shrugs. “Leave him here until you’ve made arrangements for the folks from assisted living to come get him. I’ll make sure I’m here so Bill doesn’t shoot any of them.”
“Yeah, I guess we have no choice. Thank you for all your help.”
“Before you leave,” Deputy Stone says as he takes a notepad and pen from his breast pocket. “I have to get an autograph for my son. If you don’t mind?”
“Sure.” Easton scribbles a short message on the paper before signing it.
“Thank you so much.” Deputy Stone walks back to the driver’s side of his patrol car, then pauses to say, “My condolences about Rachel. I read about her death in the newspaper.”
Hearing her name makes my heart clench with sorrow. Easton just nods.
