I’m polishingdown the truck when Grady walks over. “Ember.” He greets me the same way he does every day, a slight animosity just under the surface of the pleasantries. I am not hisbro, orman,just Ember, in that drawl people around these parts have.
“Boss,” I respond, not stopping my task. I have been at it since early this morning.
“You know how many dates she’s been on since her husband died?” His voice is icy cold.
I stop what I’m doing and step down from the truck. I lean against it. Grady stands tall, his arms crossed over his chest. “None. And the first time she even attempts to go out with a guy, she meets his one night stand from a week ago.”
“Grady, it’s not like that. Lisa and I never fucked. I took her home, yeah, but I must have passed out or something.”
“Look, all I care about is Shelby and Brody, and like I said, she is off-limits.” His brows are heavy set.
“Whatever, man.” I rub the polish off my hand and throw the rag down. I better walk away before I do something career limiting. But Grady is treading on some thin ice. I would not hurt a woman like Shelby. I feel like shit that she had to go through that, but in my defense, I did not sleep with Lisa, nor did I plan for her to throw it in Shelby’s face like that.
* * *
I pushmyself harder than I should all week. My workouts have intensified, my hours at the station doubled. That conversation with Grady just makes me want to throw myself in work and forget everything. My phone rings as I get into my truck on Friday evening.
“Yeah,” I answer. The number is private.
“Ember,” a familiar female voice sounds. I sigh. I should have known this was coming.
“Hi, Mom, I was going to call you,” I mumble.
“Really? Why don’t I believe you then?” I lay my head back on the headrest. I love my parents. We used to be really close, but being around them now brings back memories I would rather forget. It’s different from Marcy; we get each other, my parents, not so much. “I’m having a barbeque this weekend. Marcy and Lucas will be here, you should come over, sweetheart.”
“I’m not so sure, Mom. I might be working.”
“Marcy says you’re off. I checked.” That traitor.
“Look, Mom, I’ll think about it, okay.” I rub a hand over my face. That is as good asyesbecause if there is one thing about my mother, she can’t take no for an answer.
“See you Saturday, son. I have some wonderful young ladies I’d like you to meet.” And there it is—there’s the rub. The real reason she wants me over. To marry me off to one of her friends' daughters, hoping they’ll make hermiserableson happy. She never does that with my sister, probably because Marcy will tell her where to get off. If I am a hothead, my sister is explosive. I just can’t seem to set my mother straight.
“Mom, I don’t need to meet anyone. I am perfectly capable of getting a date on my own.”
“Hannah still calls.”I bet she does.“It’s a shame you two never worked out.” I can almost hear a question hanging in the air, unrelated to my most recent ex. But she knows better than to go down that road.
“Mom, I will see you this weekend. I really gotta go.”
“I love you, Ember.”
“Yeah, me too.” I end the call and feel my jaw tighten. I slam my fist against the steering wheel a few times. My mother always manages to poke the bear.
I scroll through my contacts, looking for a familiar number. I hit dial and wait.
Chapter 11
Shelby
“You look pretty, Mommy,” Brody tells me, hugging my waist.
“Thank you, sweetheart.” I look at myself in the full-length mirror; the red dress with a fitting bodice and flowing skirt and black sandal heels I haven’t worn in years feel unfamiliar. I look at the time. I should get going if I’m going to make it to my dinner on time. “We should get going. Uncle Grady is probably waiting for you.”
He runs into the living room, returning with his backpack. We chat on the way to Grady’s, but I know I am not giving the conversation enough attention. I pull up at Grady’s, and he walks out to greet us. I get out but leave the car idling.
“Whoa, didn’t recognize you for a second there.” He looks taken aback. “You look lovely, Shelb,” he compliments me.
“Thanks,” I respond nervously.
