Page 104 of Worth the Fight

“He needed someone like you, you know. It’s like you’ve brought him back to life.”

I hold back the hiccup of a sob that threatens. First his mom’s words and now Shelby’s, which are both hard to hear since the one person I want to hear them from hasn’t said them. Won’t say them. I clear my throat and begin to speak when she reaches over and grabs my hand and clutches it tightly in hers.

If anyone else did that to me, I’d yank it away, but with Shelby, I can sense she needs this connection somehow. Her hand trembles and grip tightens as she sniffs back her own tears.

“Those first months after Drew died, I couldn’t bring myself to visit Grady. I was so angry with him for not being able to save Drew, but at the same time I understood that I married a man who loved the beast as much as he loved me. Unfortunately, the beast won.” She pauses to collect herself and then begins again. “I had questions. Was Drew in pain? Did he know it was happening, or did he pass out from smoke inhalation unaware? Those two things haunted me. And then when I finally had the courage to see Grady in the hospital, I saw the suffering he was enduring as they scrubbed the dead skin from his burns. He tried not to scream, but let tears silently fall because he believed he deserved the punishment. My heart broke all over again. He lived, but it didn’t make his pain any less.”

“I’m so sorry, Shelby.” I sniffle and squeeze her hand as she lifts her free hand to wipe her tears beneath her sunglasses.

“It’s been a little over two years since he died. There isn’t a day that goes by where I don’t think about him. It’s impossible not to when I see him in everything Brody does. And I know it’s the same for Grady. And I love that about him. His loyalty to his friend. To his unfounded guilt. To keeping the promise he made to my husband that he’d make sure Brody knew everything about his father . . . but that means Grady stopped living too. Sure, he’s gone through the motions, but I haven’t really seen him light up with happiness . . . until you came along.”

She breaks from her commentary when Brody and Grady look our way and wave.

“Why are you telling me all this?” I ask gently.

“Because Grady will never admit to you that you’ve made a difference. He won’t allow himself to acknowledge what he feels for you, but we all can see it clearly in that photo.” I turn my head to look at her and she chuckles. “Marcy told me about the shoot. About the only time Grady actually relaxed and showed his true colors was then. When he was looking at you.”

“I have my life to get back to,” I murmur in explanation despite my feet feeling perfectly fine where they’re planted.

“Uh-huh.” She shifts her feet and releases my hand. “And sometimes life changes at the drop of a dime, and you take the chance.”

“I appreciate what you’re doing here, Shelby, but Grady is the one set in his ways. I’m glad I helped him in some way to find his everyday normal in a sense,” I repeat like a broken record.

“You have. And I thank you for that. We all appreciate it more than you’ll ever know.”

CHAPTER FORTY-FOUR

DYLAN

“Umm.” It’s the only thing I can think to say when I walk into the kitchen to find candles lit at the kitchen table and a meal simmering on the stove.

I feel like I’ve stepped into an alternative reality. Romance? Is this romance?

And my heart stills in my chest. And then starts again.

Has he finally realized what I have? Has Grady finally decided to give whatever this is a chance between us without his predetermined rules and regulations?

“Hey there.”

“Should I leave? Am I interrupting a date you have planned with someone?” I use humor to combat the sudden nerves rattling around inside me.

The look on his face, amused confusion, tugs at my heartstrings as he purses his lips and shakes his head. “No date planned with anyone else.”

I take another step into the kitchen. “Oh?”

“I cooked dinner for you.”

The simple statement is enough to make this girl’s heart melt. “You did?”

“Yep.” He hands me a glass of wine and pulls a chair out for me. “I thought it was about time I tell you.”

“Tell me what?” A lump forms in my throat.

Can we try this? Try to make whatever this is work?

Don’t go. Please stay.

My head swirls with possibilities, as his eyes remain locked on mine. He sits on the chair beside me, his knees framing mine, as he places his hands on my thighs. He rubs them up and down their length causing chills to chase up my spine.