“What would Teller do about Danny if your brother were here in Silver Ridge?” Grayden asked, changing the subject.
“He would probably start a manhunt to track Danny down and throw him in a jail cell.”
“Still an option. Even without Teller as chief of police.”
“I don’t know if they can do anything except cite Danny for trespassing.”
“He attacked you.” Anger flashed across Grayden’s face. “He had his hand on your throat.”
“But getting charges to stick isn’t so simple. Even if I get a restraining order, it wouldn’t keep him away in reality. And if there’s any chance of Danny making things right with Ollie, I don’t want to prevent that.”
Grayden studied me for a long moment. “You’re a good mom.”
“Even though I have no idea what to do? Things have always been tense with Danny, but this is awful.” I ran a hand through my hair, frustration coursing through me. “I feel so helpless.”
“You’re not helpless.”
I thought of what he’d said to Danny.Your days of hurtingPiper are over. Because I’m here now. And I won’t fucking stand for it.
What man had ever stood up for me that way? Except for Teller, but my brother had his own life to live now. He deserved his happy ending with Ayla.
Grayden hadn’t defended me out of obligation. He’d done it simply because he wanted to.
Before long, we had cups of coffee and plates with toasted croissants. The first bite of buttery pastry melted on my tongue, and for a moment I just let myself enjoy the simple comfort.
Like sitting next to Grayden earlier on his futon. He’d made me feel better just by being there, being himself.
I cleared my throat. “This is the second time we’ve sat at this table in, what, a month? Most of my memories of this kitchen aren’t nearly so pleasant. I’m glad you’re the one renting the house.”
“Might be easier if it were a stranger, though. Somebody who didn’t have his own baggage overlapping with yours. Someone without my messy past.”
I shook my head. “I don’t agree. You’re making the house into something new, and the fact that it’syou, it’s somehow…better.”
“If I can find a way to wipe my slate clean, there’s hope for anyone, right?”
“Maybe I’m just trying to say I missed you the last few weeks. I’ve been thinking about you.” I looked up suddenly, shocked I’d said that. But it was true.
Grayden’s brown eyes were locked on me. “I’ve been thinking about you too. A lot.”
My heart rate kicked up again, but not from anxiety this time.
He brought his hand alongside mine, his pinky stroking my pinky, and my heart bunched right up under my throat.
My gaze fell to Grayden’s lips before I blinked and looked away.
“I’m embarrassed you heard those things Danny was saying about me.” My face heated.
Lying slut.
“Don’t be, Piper. He’s nothing but a bully. He doesn’t get to define you.”
“I know that logically. But after years of hearing those kinds of insults… If Grace or Teller or your brothers had ever heard Danny talk that way, they would’ve been furious. But nobody else knows.”
I was so glad they didn’t know.
Grayden’s pinky stroked mine again. “You’re one of the best people I’ve ever met. You make my day brighter every time I see you. You’ve always been that way.”
“I thought you never noticed me when I was a kid.”
