by G. K. Brady
Chapter 32
Nice to Meet You, Rod Serling
Ashit-show. No other way to describe what Gage had walked into. Stunned to find his mother and Jessica at his house, he’d been even more astonished to learn they’d met Lily and Daisy. Now he wished he’d told his mom about them, but he hadn’t wanted to subject himself to the third degree. Besides, the cow was out of the barn now, or whatever the hell the expression was, and he was in damage-control mode.
According to his mom, the meeting had been brief but cordial, though she couldn’t understand why “the woman dressed so suggestively in front of her daughter.”
“Obviously things are a little different in Denver,” she’d said. He ignored the jab, his mind instead distracted by how many starstruck “idiots” were ogling Lily. He needed to get to the venue pronto.
Being away from her had been tough, and ghosting her even tougher. But he’d thrown everything into playing for his team while trying to come to terms with his Grimson quandary. He’d been thoroughly occupied and exhausted. Through it all, he’d rediscovered his mojo. He was keeping it simple, focused on only hockey, and he was playing out of his mind back on the first line. And honestly, he’d been a little hesitant to reach out to Lily and possibly jinx his turnaround.
But, God, he missed her!
And right now all of him wanted to get to her and convince her to forgive him for going dark, but he didn’t know how soon he’d get the chance because his mom wouldn’t stop talking.
“Oh, and I also changed your front door combination. This way, the wrong people can’t get into your home because you never know …”
Yeah, Nola was right. He should have changed it before she showed up. It was the same combo he’d had when she’d been here with Sarah helping him set up his place. Won’t make that mistake again.
“So,” his mother beamed, “where are you taking us for dinner? Or we could stay in and cook for you, if that’s better. Whatever you want, son.”
What the actual fuck? The “whatever I want” is not what I’m dealing with at the moment.
Jessica hadn’t said two words. Just smiled a lot. Yeah, he wasn’t going to get backup from her. She was as much a part of this hostile takeover as Nola.
“I’m sorry, Mom, but you two are on your own tonight. I promised Lily I’d—”
“What? We fly all the way out here, for you, because we were worried, and you’re just walking out for that … that—”
“Mom, I had other plans. I wasn’t expecting—”
“Well, that’s obvious,” she huffed. “And here I thought we could all get your grandmother on the phone to make her feel better.”
“Why? I just called this morning and—”
“Did you actually speak to her?” His mother’s eyes narrowed.
“No.” Grandma had had absolutely no idea who he was. Mistook him for a damn telemarketer. Even though Oscar had gently coaxed, Grandma would have none of it. That had sucked. Big-time.
“Well, she’s not doing so hot.”
“Then why are you here? Shouldn’t you be there?”
“Oh, you mean like how you’re here and not there?” his mom countered.
Behind Nola, Jessica was shaking her head and giving him a disapproving frown. “Gage,” she said, her voice laced with a grating motherly tone, “maybe you could tell your, ah, singer friend you’ll meet her later? Surely she’ll understand. This has been a rough week for your mother, but she didn’t want to bother you. I know you weren’t expecting us, but now that we’re here, it would be nice if we could all sit down for a quiet meal so Nola can fill you in.”
There was something they weren’t telling him. The clangor of a five-alarm fire was rising inside him.
“Please,” Jessica added with saccharin sweetness.
“Yes, please, Gage.” Were those tears in his mother’s eyes?
Jesus Fucking Christ!
“All right,” he sighed dejectedly. “Let me text Lily.”
Dinner was a trip to the twilight zone. Both women chatted and laughed as though absolutely nothing was wrong. He was regaled with stories of Jessica’s countless accomplishments as a financial analyst, volunteer, and blah, blah, blah. Gage smiled politely at first, but his composure began cracking. He had to find out about Grandma, and he still had a decision to make about Grims—something he’d put off long enough already.
After stealing into his office, Gage called Oscar, who had no idea what Nola was talking about. With Oscar’s help, he established a FaceTime connection and invited the two women in so they could all see for themselves what was up with Grandma. His mother’s eye-darting between him and the screen reminded him of a panicky rabbit, and he soon understood why. The little patience remaining in his reserves completely imploded. Nothing out of the ordinary was wrong with Grandma. She was still in and out of reality. Still doing outrageous, though benign, crap. And despite his graciousness, poor Oscar suffered Nola’s disdain.
“It’s not good for her to be squinting into a computer! We can see her when we get home,” Nola groused.
“Mom, you’re not making any sense.” Gage kept his voice low. “Let’s just talk to her now while we’re together.”
“Together” became his mother and him because Jessica soon drifted out of the office. What should have been a pleasant virtual visit turned strained, and his mother also left the conversation. Gage was oddly relieved and closed the door to take advantage of the privacy.
“Oscar, I really appreciate your help, and I apologize for my mom.”
Wise eyes crinkled with a smile. “No need to apologize, son. At my age, pretty much everything rolls off me like water off a duck’s back.”
In her most lucid moment of the evening, Grandma interjected, “Gage, I love your mother, but she is a bossy thing. Don’t let her push you around. You’re a good boy, and you work hard to put everybody on your strong shoulders, but you need to take care of you too. You’re wise enough to make the right decisions. Go live your life your way. Find your own bongo player to follow and forget how the rest of the band is marching. They’re all out of tune anyway.”
He couldn’t help but bust out with a laugh—it was the best he’d felt since walking into his own house. “You mean march to the beat of my own drum, Grandma?”
“No, son.” Her eyes twinkled mischievously. “Unlike sometimes, I know what I’m saying right now. Bongo player. They’re much more fun than drummers.”
A chuckle rumbled in his chest, and he rolled his eyes. “I don’t want to know how you know this. Let me live in ignorant bliss.”
She kissed her fingers and placed them against the screen. Tears sprang in her eyes, causing a chain reaction in him. “I love you so much,” she said.
He met her hand with his own and blinked back tears. “I love you too, Grandma. So much.”
She pulled away with a nod. “And don’t you forget it. You’re not too big to put over my knee.”
“I’d like to see you try,” he laughed.
“Don’t test me, young man.” She shook a crooked finger at him, but the smile on her face told him all he needed to know. She loved him unconditionally.
The call ended, and Gage checked his phone expectantly, disappointed to find no messages from Lily. The performance had finished an hour ago. Where the hell was she? He texted her. Fifteen minutes later, he texted her again. Then he called. To his astonishment, she actually picked up. In the background, he heard the clinking and murmur of a restaurant.
“Where are you?” he blurted.
“Well, how nice of you to call, Professor. I’d almost forgotten what you sounded like.” Her tone dripped with frost.
He barreled on, idiot that he was. “Seriously, Lily, I was worried. Where are you?”
“Funny how that worry thing works when you haven’t heard from someone.”
“I’ve been busy on the ice.” He fought to keep sheepishness from his voice.
“And off, if Facebook and your Kathryn Tappe
n interview are any indication.”
What the actual fuck? Something told him he was blindly stepping into it and needed to backpedal quick. Before he could form an answer, she continued. “I’m grabbing a bite with Derek and some friends. We had an awesome performance. Brought the house down. Too bad you missed it. Anyway, we’re celebrating.”
He put the sarcasm—and pretty much everything else spinning in his head—aside. “Where’s Daisy?”
“You’re kidding, right?”
“No, I’m not.”
“Look, I’m not having this discussion with you right now. I’m enjoying myself, and I don’t want to ruin it,” she hissed. “You’ve managed to stay out of our lives nicely these past ten days, so just keep on. Daisy’s fine. She’s at Ivy’s tonight.” She hung up.
A veil of red descended. He dragged cleansing breaths into his lungs. Damn it!
She’s out of joint because of an interview? And what the hell’s with Facebook?
Phone in hand, he headed for the stairs. “Mom,” he called, “I’m tired. I’m going to bed. You guys have everything you need, right?” Shit. I still gotta figure out what we’re doing about going to Dillon.
His mother’s surprised voice called back, “We’re set. Anything we can do for you?”
“I’ve got everything I need, thanks.” Except he didn’t.
“Jessica’s staying in the room next to yours.”
Of course she is.
After closing his bedroom door, he sprawled on the bed and texted Ivy. Her curt answer told him Daisy was fine. When he asked about Lily, Ivy’s response startled him. She was fine when I saw her, especially considering she’d just been destroyed by your freight train of a mother.
What?
He texted Ivy again, but she told him to talk to Lily. When he pulled up Facebook and scrolled through the posts, he got an eyeful of what Lily must’ve been talking about. There he was, moronic grin and all, with Kendra looking cozy on his lap. Some idiot had the nerve to leave a comment about a lap dance. Shit, this looked bad.
As far as Lily being pissed about an interview, he had no fucking clue—he’d given lots of interviews on the trip, including a very brief, very chaotic one to Kathryn Tappen where the mic kept bleeping out. They’d delayed him, made him hang around. It’d been nothing but a pain in his ass.
The urge to see Lily and explain the post seized him. He texted her about coming over and got an immediate answer telling him she was tired and didn’t want company.
A soft knock on his door had him absently inviting whomever in. Add one more mistake onto the ever growing pile. Jessica slipped in, closing the door behind her. She looked stunning in sheer silk and lace.
He swallowed hard, ransacking his brain for the right way to word his question. He went with the polite version of “What do you want?” which came out, “What can I do for you?”
“So many things,” she purred as she floated toward him.
Should’ve stuck with blunt.
“Jessica, you’ve got the wrong idea here.”
She gave him a sly smile and sat on the edge of the mattress. “Do I? I saw you looking me over just now.”
Yeah, well, I’m a guy.
He jumped up. “Look, I need to be somewhere.”
She pouted. “You just said you were going to bed.”
“I forgot I need to talk to someone about something.” Lame, but he didn’t care. His brain was ordering him to escape, and he was inclined to obey.
He practically ran to the garage, passing a hiding Hobbes in the mudroom. “Sorry, sweetheart. You’re on your own.”
In the car, he dialed Sarah. “Pick up, pick up, pick up!” Relief flooded him when she did.
“Waffle-butt! How’s it hangin’?”
“Sar, I need your help. Can you come stay for a few days?”
“When?”
“Now.”
Chapter 33
And This Is Why
Twenty minutes later, Gage was a few houses from Lily’s when he spotted the familiar Ford pickup in her driveway. He drove past, U-turned, and parked a block away on the other side of the street. Jealousy and fury coiled inside him, ready to be unleashed, as he walked toward her place. It was nearly midnight, for God’s sake. What the hell was fucking Derek doing there? He decided not to ponder the question.
When he had a line of sight to Lily’s front door, Gage paused in the shelter of a tree. Yeah, he was becoming that guy—the stalker. He’d never done a thing like this in his whole damn life, but this was how crazy Lily made him.
Her front door opened, Derek blocking the doorway. Her blond curls were visible just above his shoulder. Derek leaned down, gave her a quick hug, and left. Gage walked across the street at a pace just short of a run. Knocked. Lily opened the door, her eyes widening when they landed on him. “What are you doing here?” She stuck her head out and looked up and down the street.
“He’s gone. You shouldn’t open your door when you don’t know who’s on the other side,” he offered, his voice calmer than he would’ve expected.
A scowl greeted him in return. “Are you stalking me now?”
Yes. “No. I need to talk to you about going to Dillon, and I didn’t want to do it over the phone.”
“At midnight?”
“It turned out to be the only time we were both free.” He bit back the snark about Derek being here at midnight. It wouldn’t help him get inside.
She seemed to consider for a moment, then opened the door and invited him in. He slowed his breathing, slowed the whirring blender of emotions inside him, like downshifting his mind when a puck came blistering at him across the ice. Don’t overthink.
His eyes locked on Lily. Evidence of her stage getup was completely gone, and she was casual in bare feet, leggings, and a baggy sweater that revealed a black strap over pearly skin. He loved this look on her. He fought the longing to pull her against him. Judging by her body language, she wouldn’t have allowed it anyway.
Folding her arms across her chest, she leaned against the couch, where she was out of reach. “So. What about Dillon? I assume it’s off since you have guests.” She practically hissed the last word.
He smoothed his beard. “I was thinking I could rent a bigger place, and we could all go. Sarah’s coming too.”
Lily looked at him like he was out of his mind. She wouldn’t have been wrong. Recognition seemed to dawn in her bright blues. “You’re serious.”
“It’s the only way I can think of to make this all work.”
“I have a much better idea. You go. Daisy and I will stay here,” she huffed.
“Look, I’m sorry Mom and Jess hijacked our trip. I had no clue they were coming. I asked Sarah just now because I wanted … balance.”
“Balance for who?”
“Me? You? But let’s back up a sec. I’d like to hear your version of meeting my mom.”
Her eyes narrowed. “Why?”
“Because she told me her version, and I suspect she left out a few details.”
Lily rolled her eyes. “My version isn’t pretty.” She filled him in, and he nearly choked. Was Lily exaggerating? Had to be.
“My mom wouldn’t do that,” he declared before he could stop himself.
Lily shot him daggers.
“Did Daisy hear?” he asked.
“No, but she got a full dose of your mom’s scintillating personality. And I’ve got to say, it was a slap in the face to find out you’ve never told her about us. I felt like your dirty little secret. Of course, seeing the way you jump in and defend her, it all makes perfect sense.”
The hair on his neck lifted. A normal reaction when someone, no matter the source, disparaged his mom or anyone in his family.
“Oh, for Christ’s—” He blew out an exasperated breath. “I’m not jumping in to defend her. I didn’t tell her because I knew it would stress her out, and I didn’t want to add on to the pile. Plus, she would’ve hounded the shit out of me.”
Lily gav
e him an eye-roll. “Right. Sure. Got it.”
Emotions began unraveling inside him, and his control slipped. His mind veered to the dick side. “Mom said you were dressed in a sexy outfit and had on a lot of makeup. You can understand where she might’ve reached the wrong conclusion.”
Though bright pink was working its way up Lily’s neck, he kept going. “What’s up with dressing like that anyway? And why did you go out with Derek and friends in that getup?”
Her mouth swung open. “Are you for real right now? You don’t even ask if I was dressed that way for dinner. You just assume. And since when do you have any right to throw your caveman weight around? You act as if you have some ownership claim, so let me remind you: you don’t. And let’s not forget, if you’d been there tonight like you said you would, if you hadn’t chosen to stay home with your old girlfriend—oh, who also knew nothing about Daisy and me—I wouldn’t have gone out with Derek and friends.”
“I wasn’t with my old girlfriend,” he gritted out.
“As long as we’re on the subject of who’s doing what with whom,” she continued, “at least I didn’t lie. I didn’t tell you I couldn’t see you because I was hanging with buddies while what I was really doing was having some chick give me a lap dance.” The pink splotches on Lily’s neck spread upward, blazing brighter.
He laced his hands on top of his head. “Fuuuuuck! It’s not how it looks. I wasn’t lying.” He careened onward and told her about Kendra and how she wound up on his lap. “I was hanging with buddies, and I did go home early. Alone.”
A “who cares” shrug was her answer.
“You’re sending mixed signals, Lily. On one hand, you act like a jealous girlfriend. On the other hand, you’re telling me I have no right. Which is it?”
She flapped a “whatever” hand at him. “Doesn’t matter.”
He felt as if he rode on a runaway roller coaster ride. “What you’re really saying is you refuse to accept my explanation. If you don’t believe me, just ask anyone who was there. Hell, ask Wyatt. He ended up with Kendra that night.” He pulled in a breath. “But I want to circle back to something you said. How do you define us?”
