I trusted you, Chris. How could you keep this from me?
I don’t know how long I lie there before I hear the sound of the door downstairs. Must just be Dad coming home from work.
I hear his voice, but then another along with it that causes me to rocket to my feet.
Chris. Chris is here!
8
GRACIE
Trembling,I crawl to my bedroom door and quietly crack it open. The sound of Chris’s voice from below does so much to me. The familiarity and safety is still there, and I’m instantly wrapped up in feelings of longing and desire. I want to rush downstairs and hurl myself into his arms.
But there’s something pernicious there now. Something that scares me.
Having Chris in our home has always been something I’ve looked forward to, ever since I was little. But now part of me just wants him gone.
Get out of my life, I sob, face in the carpet.You lied to me. You ruined me!
My body shakes as I cry. I bite down on my cheek, tasting blood. I’m bitten by a cruel dose of shame. Despite the feelings of betrayal running through me, and my hatred for Chris, I don’t want him to see me this way.
I stretch out my hand to close the door, and that’s when I hear it. Chris’s voice, stronger than I’ve ever heard it: “Tom, I want to marry Gracie.”
A breath chokes in my throat. My body stiffens.
Did I just hear that right? There’s no way. He’s married!
Despite all I’ve seen—the photos, the confirmation of his wedding online—my feelings for him can’t be contained. I still yearn for him, am desperate for approval in his eyes. I want to feel the warmth sweep through me every time I see that fantasy-hero grin of his that no other man possesses.
Somehow, as a tearful and sloppy mess, I manage to get to my feet. I stagger out through the door, trying to wipe my face clean as I descend the stairs.
My father’s voice booms through the house. “You son of a bitch. I trusted you!”
Something shatters. A glass or a plate maybe. Things are getting heated. I rush down the last few steps and swing into the kitchen where the two of them are facing off. My dad’s face is redder than a tomato, and he has his fists up like he’s ready to kill Chris.
“It’s all my fault, Tom,” he says slowly. “I never should have let it happen. If you want to blame someone, blame me. Not Gracie.”
“Oh, you’re damn right it’s your fault!” my dad snaps. He looks ready to kill Chris. “You’re the adult here. You’re supposed to make the right decisions. Gracie doesn’t know what she wants. I spent twenty years keeping her safe, andyouwere the one person I never thought I’d have to worry about.”
I boil over.
“Stop,” I snap. Both men turn, finally realizing I’m here. “It’s not Chris’s fault, Dad. I knew I wanted him. That’s why I forged my transfer papers and enrolled at Pine Hill in the first place.”
Dad’s face twists with confusion. “You didwhat?”Guess they hadn’t gotten around to that part of the conversation. I move my eyes to Chris.
“And stop trying to take the blame for our relationship. I’m not some hopeless little girl.”
He lowers his eyes briefly before looking back at me. The concern in his gaze warms me, but I see something with it that stings.
Regret. Slowly, he moves closer and lowers his voice. “I know you’re not, Gracie. I’m just trying to sort things out with your father here. Maybe you should wait for us to finish talking.”
“No!” I snap. “You will not shut me out right now, Chris.” He reaches out for my arm, but I pull back. “Weallneed to discuss this. And not just what’s going on between us. But what’s going on between you and your wife!”
Chris’s lips part, and his face twists with confusion as I reach for my phone and quickly pull up his wedding announcement. He looks down and covers his eyes with his palm. I flash the phone in Dad’s direction. “Did you know about this?”
To my surprise, he just looks back at me. He doesn’t shout, he doesn’t scold me, he doesn’t tell me to leave. Eventually, he moves his gaze to Chris, then back to me.
“I think that’s something you two should talk about,” he says slowly. “But don’t thinkthisconversation is over.”
