For my entire life, I’d been able to confide in Grace about almost everything. The only exception? Grayden. Both when we were teenagers, and right now.
I didn’t like having secrets from my best friend.
In my office, I closed the door behind me and sank into my desk chair.
Teller answered on the second ring. “Hey, sis.”
“Hey, yourself. Sorry I missed your call.”
“No problem. Just in between meetings and I thought I’d say hello.”
I swiveled in my chair, propping my feet on the edge of the desk. “Listen to you, taking meetings with music execs. What did you do with my grumpy cop brother?”
“No execs were present,” he said with a chuckle. “Which is lucky for them. I hate all that bullshit. I just coordinate with law enforcement and our bodyguard team.”
Teller was still a part-time Silver Ridge PD officer when he visited Hart County, but he also served as Ayla’s head of security. She was about to start a months-long national tour, so Teller had plenty to do.
The two of them were adorable and sweet together, and I never imagined I’d say that about my brother.
“How about you?” he asked. “Anything new?”
Uh oh. I knew that tone of voice.
I sat forward, dropping my feet to the floor. “What do you mean?”
“Callum mentioned that Grayden O’Neal is renting mom’s old house from you.”
Yep, there it was. “That’s true.”
“Why didn’t you tell me?”
Because I knew you’d be weird about it, I thought.
Out loud, I said, “It didn’t seem like a big deal. I needed a tenant, he needed a place to live. It made sense.”
“Are you sure that’s a good idea?”
“Why wouldn’t it be?” I challenged. “Are you taking Ashford’s side? Because I happen to think he’s wrong about Grayden.”
“I’m not taking a side. It’s Callum I’ve been talking to, remember? I respect that Callum and Grace have worked things out with Grayden. I’m just not sure it’s a good thing for Ollie to be around the man. Considering…you know,everything.”
I made an exasperated sound.
Teller would be surprised to learn the realeverythinginvolving me and Grayden.
“Also, it sounds like Grayden’s more than just your tenant. You’re seeing him socially too. With Ollie.”
“Callum told you about the dinner at Hearthstone?”
“Yes. A dinner that took placebeforeyou came to see me and Ayla for Christmas. But you didn’t mention any of this then.”
“Do I have a right to an attorney for this interrogation, Officer?”
“Not an interrogation. You’re the one who’s hiding things. I’m just trying to find out why.”
I stood up from my chair and started pacing the small office. “This is my business, Teller. I’m a big girl. I don’t need you and Callum ganging up on me about who I rent my property to. Or who I spend time with.”
“Piper—”
