I kept marveling at my baby sister. “How did you get so grown-up and beautiful, kid?”
“You saw me on video a few weeks ago,” she said, laughing and crying at the same time.
“But this is real life. Trust me, it’s nowhere near the same.” I knew firsthand that pictures and videos were pale copies when it came to the people we loved.
For maybe a solid minute, I just smiled at them. Taking my time and soaking it in.
Callum’s girlfriend, Zandra, came out to the porch next, and I waved hello. I recognized her from calls with Callum. She shocked me by rushing over and giving me a hug too.
“Welcome back,” she said.
“Thanks, Zandra. That means a lot.”
I noticed a tall blond hesitating just inside the house, arms crossed over her sweater with a curious frown on her face. One of my siblings’ friends, maybe?
Then she stepped outside. My gaze lingered on her stunning features. And I was the jerk staring at her when I should be focused on my siblings.
As I turned back to Grace and Callum, a tidal wave of guilt tried to pull me under. God, so much had gotten messed up. If Igot to thinking too much about all the years we’d lost because of the choices I’d made, it would crush me. Ithadcrushed me in the past.
My chest tightened and my eyes burned with everything going through my head. “I’m sorry,” I said. “I know this is a lot.”
Grace hugged me again, head resting on my arm. “Why are you sorry? This is amazing. You’re welcome here, okay? Always.” She gripped my hand. “Whatever else has happened, you’re our brother. It’s Thanksgiving. We’re supposed to be together at Thanksgiving.”
“If he comes in here, I’m leaving,” a low voice said. “And I’m taking Emma and Maisie with me.”
Ashford stood in the doorway with the light of the house behind him. Seeing my younger brother was like looking at a mirror of my past self. I’d probably worn a scowl that intense, back in the days when I wanted to rage at the world.
Who was I kidding? I still wore that same scowl more often than not.
“Hello, Ashford,” I said softly.
He stepped onto the porch, shutting the front door behind him. “Grayden, what the fuck are you doing here?”
I flinched like he’d thrown a punch, not just some strong words. I’d known this would be the hardest part. Had I expected a different reception from him tonight? Not realistically.
“I just wanted to see you all. Figured this was an efficient way to do it. If a bit dramatic, I’ll admit.”
“Well, I don’t want you here.” Ashford’s voice was hard. “Not around my family. Not around Maisie. She doesn’t even know you exist.”
I breathed through each new blow, just absorbing them all. Anything Ashford could say wasn’t half of the hate I’d thrown at myself in the past. I didn’t blame him.
“Don’t do this, Ashford,” Grace murmured, trying to stand in front of me, and I was glad when Dane wrapped his arm around her waist to pull her back.
“No, I understand,” I said, keeping my voice calm even though my heart was pounding. “I know I don’t have any right to just show up like this. But Ashford, I’m trying to make things right. I want to be part of this family again.”
“Not gonna happen.”
“If we could just talk—” I stepped toward him, reaching out.
Ashford shoved my hand away. “Don’t touch me.”
Grace gasped, and Callum put his palms out. “Hey, come on,” Callum said. “Let’s just take a breath.”
Ashford’s eyes never left mine. A surge of anger rose instinctively in me, making my pulse thrum. An involuntary reaction. I breathed through the feeling.
I couldn’t get angry at my brother. I was a better man than that. Now, anyway.
“You don’t belong here,” Ashford said. “You made your choices, and now you have to live with them.”
