“Heading to my grandfather’s for the weekend,” he says. “He would love to meet you.”
“I don’t know.” I hesitate. “There’s a lot going on here.” My words trail off because I don’t know how to explain the weight of what I am feeling without sounding overwhelmed.
After leaving Inkfluence, we drove over to Dillon’s and picked up the truck. I planned on dropping Ryan off and going home to wallow for a while, but he had other ideas. I barely had the chance to change into some comfy clothes before he showed up at my back door with takeout. I hadn’t eaten or even finished my coffee this morning, so I didn’t argue. Now, staring at my plate, I realize I have barely touched my food.
“Exactly. Maybe a night away would be a nice break from reality. We could leave Saturday morning and come back Sunday.”
“Your grandfather won’t mind my coming? I know you only see him twice a month.”
“Trust me. He’ll love it.”
April offered me a reality break not that long ago. That night shifted how I see Ryan and changed everything thing about our relationship. Maybe he’s right; a night away may be what I need to forget about the chaos Braden is causing in my life.
Thirty-Five
Saturday couldn’t come soon enough. I didn’t know how tightly wound I had become until Emerley was firmly behind us in the rearview mirror.
Mason had stopped by after work on Wednesday evening while I was at Beck’s. He found Braden and spoke to him earlier in the day. According to him, he wasn’t even in Emerley the night Inkfluence was vandalized. He spent the weekend with his new girlfriend, a story she conveniently corroborated. Without proof he’d been in town that night, there wasn’t much more the police could do. Nobody believes him for a second, but belief doesn’t count for much without concrete evidence.
The farther we drive, the more I feel Beck relax beside me. The leg she has been bouncing since she got in the truck has finally stilled. It’s the first time all morning she has appeared more at ease.
“So,” I ask, glancing at her. “Who’s going to be the DJ on this adventure?”
“Me, of course,” she says, already reaching for the stereo. Her phone pairs with the truck quickly, like it has dozens of times before.
She scrolls through one of her many playlists before selecting a song she knows I like. The opening notes fill the cab, and I can’t help the smile that pulls at my mouth.
She listens quietly for a moment before pushing her sunglasses to the top of her head and shifting her body to look at me better.
“I was thinking that while we’re out of town, I’m going to disconnect. Turn off my phone—no calls, text messages, social media. What do you think?”
“It’s a great idea,” I say, tapping my thumb on the steering wheel to the beat of the music.
“Yeah.” She rolls her lips between her teeth before saying, “That way if Braden messages me, it won’t interrupt our time away. Everyone else knows I’m with you. If there’s an emergency, they’ll call you.”
“I love the idea of having you all to myself for twenty-four hours, so I’m not complaining.”
“Can I tell you something?” she asks sheepishly.
“Of course. Anything.” Glancing over, I see her chewing on the corner of her thumbnail.
“I’m nervous to meet your grandfather. I know he’s important to you, and I don’t want to do anything to embarrass you.”
“You’re important to me. There is nothing you can say or do to embarrass me.” I cup my hand under her long hair at the nape of her neck and gently squeeze.
“Do you even know me?” She laughs. “There are an infinite number of ways for me to embarrass you, but I’ll try not to.”
“I do know you. You’re one of my favourite people.”
She holds my gaze, and her cheeks turn a pretty shade of pink. She’s going to have to get used to my praise. Good thing we have time, and I’m a patient man.
“You’ve never mentioned your grandmother before.”
“No. She passed away when I was young. Nine, I think. Right around the same time I was sent to boarding school.”
“I’m sorry.” She rests her hand on my thigh. “Were you close?”
“I enjoyed spending time with her. It was confusing, though. She looked so much like my mother, but they had opposite personalities. Grandma was loving and affectionate. Interested in my life.” I don’t have to say the other part out loud. She knows what it’s like to have a mother who’s not invested in your life.
