Page 72 of Worth the Fight

“I’m not afraid to settle down because I’ll miss the single life. It definitely has its perks . . . as you can see, I come from a close-knit family. Don’t tell my mom, but I’d love to be a dad and give her those grandkids she nags me for, but I can’t . . .” His words are followed by a sigh that holds so much sadness and grief it’s almost palpable. “After Drew’s death, I watched Shelby lose every part of herself while trying to be strong for Brody. Having Brody ask me when I’m going to bring his dad home from the station. I just . . . I can’t knowingly be with someone, have a child with someone, and then continue to risk myself every time I get a call.”

“But they’ll know it’s a possibility too. They’ll walk into a relationship with you knowing your job is what you love. It’s who you are. They’ll understand and take the chance because they love you.”

I know he hears me because he nods as he looks at his feet splashing in the water, but he doesn’t respond. I don’t expect him to either. He’s been so emotionally scarred by the events of the fire and the aftermath.

“Grady! Don’t be such a pansy. Get your ass over here and let me beat you!” Grayson yells, pointing to the rope swing where he is across the shore.

Grady finally looks at me. “So, Dylan? Are you going to be confident and take that cover-up off and show off those curves of yours? Or am I going to have to carry you into the water in your clothes so you have nothing to wear home that’s dry except your suit?”

“You wouldn’t dare?” I say as I push myself up from my spot on the dock as he does the same.

“Either way, I win . . . so try me.”

“It goes both ways, Malone.”

“It does, does it?” he asks, a smile slowly curling up the corners of his lips, sensing a challenge.

“Yes. If I have to wear my bathing suit, you have to take your shirt off.”

His smile falters momentarily as he angles his head and stares at me from behind his lenses. And then without saying a word, he pulls his T-shirt over his head and walks off down the dock.

“You better not chicken out on your end, McCoy. I know where you sleep at night,” he calls over his shoulder before jumping from the wooden slats to the shore and heading toward his brother.

I catch the glance his mother gives his father and the one Grayson gives to Grant right before all four sets of eyes turn in my direction.

Knowing I did that for Grady makes me stand a little taller as I follow in his footsteps on the sandy shore. They love him despite what he considers imperfections.

Now, let’s hope they can turn a blind eye to mine.

* * *

“Your family is incredible.” My grin hasn’t faded since we pulled away from the lake house and started our trip home. Neither have my thoughts. After watching Grady play with Luke and seeing how good he was with him, all I keep thinking about is how much Grady is going to miss by not being a father.

And of course, I’ve thought of every way imaginable to broach the subject again with him, but for what? He’s been through hell and back. He has concrete reasons for his opinions. There’s no way anything I say will change his way of thinking.

“You and Luke get along really well.”

“He’s a good kid,” Grady says. “I don’t know how Grayson made a kid that cool, but he definitely must have gotten those genes from me.”

“Oh, please. It’s obvious you’re good with children. I hope I’m not overstepping when I⁠—”

“Don’t go there,” Grady warns, and before I can respond—apologize—for doing what I told myself I wasn’t going to do, the scanner interrupts me.

I wait for Grady to turn the sound down as he typically does, but this time, when his fingers are on the button, they don’t move. Codes are being given left and right and despite the dispatcher’s calm demeanor, I can tell she’s unsettled.

“Everything okay?” I ask when his arm tenses.

“Yeah. Sure. Fine.” His answer is distracted at best, and the easy-going banter we’ve enjoyed the entire drive home dissipates.

He pulls into the driveway and stares at me. His jaw is set. His shoulders are square. His hands keep flexing on the wheel.

“Hop out. I’ve gotta take a drive.”

“Is everything okay?” I ask for a second time, knowing in my gut it isn’t.

“Feed Petunia for me. I’m not sure when I’ll be back.”

I climb out of the truck and turn back to stare at him through the open window, but he only looks behind him as he reverses and drives off without another glance.