And with that, we head to the checkout. He doesn’t ask me what my call was about, and I don’t tell him. I’m not ready to get into all of that yet, but I know one thing for sure: for the first time in years, I didn’t fold. I stood up for myself and put my foot down instead of pandering to everyone else’s needs, and that’s got to be a step in the right direction. It sure felt like it, anyway.
25
AVERY
Georgia is making her famous fried chicken, the smell filling the house as I let myself in the front door for Sunday dinner. The air conditioning is a welcome reprieve from the late summer heat that follows quickly on my heels as I step inside. When Grayson invited me and asked if I’d stay the night, I couldn’t say no. I didn’t want to say no.
We’ve been hanging out, getting to know each other again, and it’s starting to feel like old times, only now we’re older and wiser. And here I am, overnight bag in hand, nervously heading through the house.
A niggling of doubt creeps in, but I don’t want to address it right now. It’s been there for days; the constant questioning of how to have him and my music career in Nashville. The clock is ticking, and as the days pass, I find myself leaning more and more toward staying. Not for Grayson, but because this place—Coldwater—feels like home in a way the spotlight never has. Most of all, I love how it makes me feel, like I’m free and can take on the world. But then I’ll meet a fan and be reminded of what I need to do before that can happen.
As I walk into the kitchen, I find Georgia, Gracie, Kade, and Wyatt sitting around the table, playing cards in hand as they chat up a storm.
Georgia catches my eye first, a gentle smile on her face as she says, “Grab a drink and then come and join us, Avery. We’re playing gin rummy and need another player.”
I drop my duffel bag by the door and cross the room. We used to play this game when we were in high school, and would hang out at the house while our friends went out causing havoc. A quick look around the table on the way to the refrigerator tells me that not much has changed, and Wyatt and Gracie still suck at it.
With an ice-cold beer in hand, I slide into my seat and wait for them to finish up the game. Kade wins this round, a triumphant smirk on his face as he leans back in his chair.
“All hail King Kade.” He puffs out his chest, and the table bursts into laughter.
Wyatt smacks him on his chest with the back of his hand. “You might wanna actually grow out that chest, baby brother, then we can talk about calling you King.”
Not one to be deterred, Kade grips Wyatt’s shoulder, and I don’t miss the way he winces. “Don’t project, Wy. You’re a sore loser, and it’s showing.”
Wyatt opens his mouth to speak before slamming it shut when he catches Georgia staring him down with a raised brow. “That’s what I thought, boys. Now, Gracie, set us up for a new hand.”
Grayson chooses that moment to walk into the room, wearing a pair of worn blue jeans and a crisp white T-shirt—his signature look. His hair is still damp, and when he catches me looking at him, he runs his hand through it like I make him nervous. The fact that I can make this big, strong man feel that way amazes me.
In three large strides, Grayson is across the room, holding on to my chin and tipping my head back. The room falls quiet, but I can’t quite tell if it’s because I’m lost in his blue eyes as he towers over me or if everyone is waiting to see what he does next. Either way, a flood of arousal washes through my body as Gray dips lower.
His mouth brushes against mine, so soft that if I wasn’t hyperaware of him, I might have missed it. I love that he’s always so tentative, giving me the chance to back away if I choose to. Most of all, I love what comes next, the claiming, the…
Ahhh. I love this man.
I sink into him as he devours me, uncaring of his family seated at the table. Reaching up, I hold the front of his T-shirt, anchoring myself to his foundation as I get swept away by the taste of him.
Somewhere in the back of my mind, I’m aware that we’re not alone, but I can’t find the strength to care. At least until the sound of someone clearing their throat pulls us back into the room.
“Geez, guys, get a room,” Kade complains.
“You know what, I’m not mad at this, but it is a little depressing.” Gracie pouts.
Gray and I pull apart. Warmth fills my cheeks, and I look down at my lap, brushing off an imaginary piece of lint from my yellow cotton dress. When I finally look up, Gracie’s staring at us with a soft, almost wistful smile on her face.
“Don’t worry, Gracie,” Wyatt teases, “Reed will come to his senses soon enough, and then you two can bone in front of us too.”
“Shut up, Wyatt,” Gracie snaps. “He’s my friend, nothing more.”
“That’s enough now,” Georgia admonishes. She pushes her chair back, meeting the eyes of each of her children, smiling knowingly at Gray before heading to the oven. “Get washed up. Dinner’s ready.”
Grayson runs his hand over the back of my head before taking a seat next to me at the table. He laces his fingers with mine, giving them a gentle squeeze. “Hi, sunshine,” he says softly.
I squeeze his hand back, his warmth seeping into my skin like a comforting blanket. “Hey,” I murmur.
He drags his thumb along my knuckles, his eyes intent on mine, with so much being said in their depths. “I’ll grab us some plates. You want a little of everything?”
I nod, silently watching him as he stands and crosses the room.
