CHAPTER 37
RILEY
I was anxious most of the day. I kept my phone close to me all morning and waited on a call from Brady. I knew he would face Gunner today, and I was worried about him. He didn’t need that right now.
It had rained all day, so when Bryony woke up from her nap there would be no playtime. I gave her crayons and a coloring book and let her color beside me while I worked on my schoolwork. I used my extra time to get ahead, and when Mother came into the room to remind me of Bryony’s afternoon snack I realized how much time had passed. School was over and still no call or text from Brady.
When I’d gotten Bryony to her high chair and given her some applesauce, I turned to ask Mom to watch her for me for just an hour. I was going to take the car and go to meet Brady after practice. I needed to know he was okay.
Maybe it was because she was a mother or because I was easy to read, but the moment she turned around she said, “Go on. I’ve got her. You’ve been working all day and need a break. Tell Brady I said hello.”
I walked over to her and hugged her tightly. “Thank you.”
She held me against her. “Of course. It’s what mothers are for. I love you, and I like seeing you live a little. Does my heart good.”
“I love you too,” I told her.
“Wuv you too!” Bryony called from her high chair, and we both smiled and turned to see her grinning at us with applesauce all over her face.
“Mom will be thrilled she’s eating applesauce if she comes in here and sees this.”
I laughed and agreed.
“She’s going to ask you to get some chocolate from Miller’s to take to Mrs. Bertha for tea tomorrow. Just nod your head and go on. She’s been on that line of thinking for an hour now.”
“Who’s Mrs. Bertha?” I asked, thinking that sounded new.
“A neighbor we had when I was in elementary school. She moved away by the time I was twelve. Mom used to have tea with her every Sunday.”
“Tomorrow is Thursday.”
Mom let out a soft laugh. “Don’t tell her that, either.”
Life with Grandmamma sure was interesting.
I headed for the living room, and sure enough, there she sat with her afghan over her legs watching television. “If you’re going out, get me some of that dark chocolate from Miller’s. Told your momma, but she still ain’t gone. They’re gonna close soon. I can’t go to Bertha’s empty-handed tomorrow.”
“Yes, ma’am,” I replied and headed out the door.
“Don’t forget to let Thomas back inside,” she called out behind me.
Not sure how I was going to manage letting a cat that had been dead so long it was dust now back in the house, but I replied with another “Yes, ma’am.”
I rarely drove the Mustang. Bryony liked for us to walk and wasn’t a big fan of the car seat. So it was nice to get behind the wheel and drive in silence. I loved my family and my life. I was thankful for it. But a day dealing with a grandmother with Alzheimer’s, a toddler, and schoolwork was mentally draining. This was normally my way of getting away for an hour and regrouping and relaxing. However, today I was tense and nervous.
It wasn’t like Brady had promised to call me or text me today. He had kissed me before we’d gone back to the truck last night, and we had taken our time with it. Then it had been the short drive home and a good night. No promises or plans.
Still, I was worried about him.
It was time for practice to be over, and I didn’t want Gunner to spot me in the parking lot, so I found a spot far enough away that I wouldn’t be obvious but I could still seem them.
Gunner’s truck was the closest to the field house, so he’d get to his truck first and be gone. Which worked out well for me. I watched the guys all leaving and only saw West as he climbed in his truck and left. Still no Brady or Gunner, and I began to get nervous. Surely West wouldn’t have left if he thought there had been a problem.
A knock on my window startled me, and I turned around in my seat to see West, who I had just watched drive off, parked beside me and standing at my window.
Crap. I was terrible at incognito.
Rolling down my window I dreaded this. I should have stayed home and waited. My worry got the best of me.
“They’re talking. Could be a while,” West said.
“He saw us last night,” I told him.
“I know. But things are different for Gunner now. The Lawton bunch isn’t so tight anymore.”
I nodded, understanding what he meant.
“You being here might not be the best idea, though. Brady will come to you when he’s ready.”
“Are they going to be okay?”
West chuckled. “If they tie up, Brady will take him. Gunner knows that. It’s fine.”
I still didn’t want them tying up.
“Go home. Trust me. It’s better for Brady.”
West didn’t hate me. He wasn’t threatening me and there were no evil glares. Maybe things were different now.
“Okay,” I agreed.
He gave me a nod, then went back to his truck but didn’t start it up. He was waiting on me to leave like he had suggested. I did as he said and drove out. I didn’t head to the house, though. I still needed a break from the day. So I just drove and waited for Brady to call or text.
It was after six, just before I was back at the house, when my phone rang.
“Hello,” I said.
“Hey. West said you came by looking for me. Sorry it took me so long to get out. Gunner and I had a talk.”
“Are you okay?” I asked.
“Yeah. At least where Gunner is concerned. It’s okay. I can’t go home, though. Dad met me in the kitchen this morning and I told him not to come to practice today or I’d walk off the field. He demanded to know what my problem was. I stormed out of the house without eating. He didn’t show at practice, but he’ll be waiting on me at home.”
“I’m pulling in the drive now. Come here. Mom will have cooked enough. She always cooks too much. Eat with us and you can do homework in my room. I have to read to Bryony and give her a bath after dinner. Then we can go out and talk on the back porch.”
He paused, then I heard him sigh. “Okay. I’ll be there in a minute.”