The server showed us to a table, and we ordered beers. She and Grace excitedly talked to each other, mostly in Mandarin, with some English sprinkled in. The server left to help someone else, and the four of us looked at the menus. I had no idea what they were saying.
Jett nodded. “You’re really improving.”
“I’ve been using those programs from Brennan,” she replied.
Someone brought our beers.
“I’m sorry we were late.” Brennan sighed. “Caroline had a press conference mentioning how horrible I am and how she supports my mother.”
Jett nearly spit out his beer. “Fuck that shit. Seriously?"
“Yeah. But don’t worry, we shut that down, since you know, there was legal action against her for what she did to the company, and the restraining order. It’s just not what I need.” He put his head in his hands.
I put my arm around him.
“Fucking bitch,” Grace muttered.
Yep. She should have stayed out of it.
“It’ll be okay, Honey. Is your dad still barricaded in the foundation office? Do we need to bring him noodles?” Jett offered.
“Maybe? Given that I now own the building, I might have banned people from said establishment. He’s still barricaded in there trying to go through the emergency procedures in the foundation charter to take over the foundation completely,” he said, taking a sip of beer.
“Does our foundation have that?” I asked.
“Yes. It also has what happens to the foundation if the pack dissolves and all sorts of contingencies,” Brennan replied.
Grace paused. “That’s basically a pack divorce, right?”
“Yes, and it can be very messy, especially if people have to un-bond,” I told her. “We see it sometimes at the Center.”
“That sounds awful.” Grace looked stricken.
I kissed her. “Usually, it’s for the best. Sometimes, packs just don’t work out. Also, people change, and not always for the better.”
Honestly, if that mom in Grace’s bio-dad’s pack got convicted of trafficking Grace, I would see her dad wanting to do just that–or at least cut her out of the pack.
“Anything else going on with everything with your mom, Bren?” Jett asked, putting down the menu.
I think I’d just get my usual.
“Well, she’s pissed as fuck because both Katie and I publicly sided with Dad, and Katie’s helping him with gaining control. I’m not a voting member anymore, so there’s not much I can do,” he told us. “Oh, and Troy’s wife has been blowing up my phone wanting to know if I knew about Troy’s affair. Which I didn’t until Katie told me this morning. I don’t really care for her, but I offered to get her and the kids a hotel.”
“Oh, that’s nice. Wait, Troy is having anaffair?” Jett blinked.
“Yeah. Katie found out about it and told her,” Brennan added.
“As she should.” Grace took another sip of beer. She looked at the door. “They’re here.”
A moment later, Spencer and Wes walked in, still dressed for work.
Grace got up and wrapped her arms around Wes, kissing him, then she did the same for Spencer. People were watching.
The server grinned and said something to her.
Grace laughed and replied as she took Wes and Spencer’s hands and led them to the table.
“Brennan, I’m so sorry that things have escalated. Rest assured, me and my company are behind you,” Spencer told Brennan.
