Chapter Twenty-Five
GRACE WAS MESMERIZED by Tuck Wilder, the twenty-six-year-old guitarist in Sable’s band who was auditioning for the lead role in the community play, I Ain’t No Cinderella. She’d known Tuck since they were kids. He’d had a rough life, and it showed in his cold, dark eyes as he strutted across the auditorium of No Limitz, nailing the attitude and badass vibe for the role perfectly. They’d been holding auditions all afternoon and had already cast several of the supporting roles. If only off-Broadway plays were this easy to produce. She’d been battling with Keagen all week, and his threats to walk away from the play had the investors up in arms.
As Tuck finished his audition, Grace scribbled a few notes. He was the last audition of the day. Grace thanked him and said they’d send out email notifications for the roles as they made decisions. They had auditions booked through next Saturday evening, and she was leaving the day after that. She had a feeling they just might get the casting set by then.
“His voice inflection is perfect,” Janie said. “What does he look like?”
After Tuck left the auditorium Lauryn said, “He’s beautiful, with rich cocoa skin and soulful eyes, but he gives off a tough, edgy vibe.”
“He’s our bad boy,” Phoenix said. “No doubt about it.”
“You got that right,” Hellie agreed. “The poor young man has had it hard. I think that band is about all that holds him together. I want to bring him home and start all over. Give him the parental love he never had.”
Good luck with that. Tuck’s parents were as gruff as could be, and there was no doubt his grit was as much a part of him as the blood that ran through his veins. The perfect male lead for the play.
“I say we cast him, but that might mean Sable’s band won’t be able to help with the music,” Grace said. “All for it?”
Everyone chimed in with affirmations.
“Oh goodness, I have to run!” Nana said as she began gathering her notes. “I didn’t realize it was so late. Poppi and I are going to the Jerichos’ jam session. Tonight’s the night Phoenix and Lauryn are playing their instruments. You know Poppi; he’ll want to dance to every song.” She sighed dreamily. “I’m a lucky lady. Grace, don’t you have your family barbecue tonight? I don’t want your parents getting upset with us for monopolizing you. They get so little time with you.”
Grace had been to so many jam sessions at the Jerichos’ barn when she was younger she wouldn’t typically feel a desire to go. But now that she was getting more involved in the community, she was excited to spend time with the people who had reached out to help with the play. And knowing how Phoenix and Lauryn had supported each other to finally get up the courage to play in front of everyone, she felt a pang of disappointment about missing it. At least she didn’t feel guilty about not spending time with her family as she had in the past.
“I’m sorry I’ll miss your debut,” Grace said to Phoenix and Lauryn. “Maybe someone can video it for me?”
“My mom’s videoing it for our family’s Facebook group,” Lauryn said. “I’ll send it to you. I’m so nervous I’ll mess up.”
“That’s perfect, and you’ll do great. Just remember, if you mess up, nobody will know but you. Just ad-lib—that’s what actors do. Pretend it’s part of the song.” Grace gave her a quick hug. “And, Nana, my family is probably getting sick of me by now. Reed and I had breakfast with my parents and Sable this morning. Sable’s apartment is finally done being renovated. We helped her move back in after breakfast.” She loved being part of her family’s lives instead of just hearing about them. She would miss them when she returned to the city.
After the others left, Grace stopped by Haylie’s office and peeked her head in. Haylie and Sin, the athletic director, were deep in conversation. “Hey, guys. Sorry to interrupt. I just wanted to say thanks again for letting us use the auditorium. We’re done for the day. Sorry we stayed so late.”
“No worries,” Sin said. “We’re closing up early so we can go to the jam session. I hear it’s going to be wild tonight.”
“Phoenix and Lauryn are playing. I’m sure it’ll be fun.” They talked for a few more minutes, and then she texted Reed to tell him she was on her way home. Her father had asked Reed to help with a repair in the barn, so they were meeting at her parents’ house anyway, but she hated being late for something her mother had worked so hard to prepare for.
Grace was the last one to arrive. Add another layer to the guilt cake.
She parked on the street, and as she climbed from her car, the sounds of laughter and familiar voices filled her ears. Reed’s deep voice was easy to pick out. Reba and Dolly greeted her with slobbery kisses to her bare legs. She crouched, and her messenger bag slipped from her shoulder. Why did she even have it? She wasn’t going to work during dinner. Old habits die hard. Reba stuck her nose into Grace’s bag, knocking Grace on her butt and causing papers to slip out.
“Oh, Reba,” Grace said, surprisingly not at all irritated.
The pup heard it as an invitation and went paws-up on Grace’s shoulders. She fell back, catching herself with her palms. Dolly licked her face, and Grace relented, lying back on the driveway as the dogs loved her up with playful kisses. She tousled their fur, laughing even as Reba stepped on her bag and more papers slipped out.
“Oh no, Gracie!” her mother cried from the top of the driveway. “Reba, Dolly, sit!” she commanded as she hurried toward them.
Grace wanted to tell her it was okay, but she knew the importance of obedience training and held her tongue. When the dogs were safely settled, she sat up, unable to stop smiling as Reed, Amber, and Reno rushed toward her.
Reno stood beside Amber, her ever-present guardian angel, as Amber collected Grace’s papers and put them in her bag.
“Are you okay, babe?” Reed helped her to her feet, looking darkly handsome with clean-shaven cheeks and wearing a white button-down shirt with his jeans.
Grace wiped the dogs’ slobber from her cheek and said, “Sure beats coming home to an empty loft. You look pretty fancy for a family barbecue.”
“I’ve waited forever for this special night. Nothing’s too fancy for my girl.”
Reed hugged her as Brindle and Morgyn ran down the driveway, their blond hair flowing loose and wild behind them. Their blue eyes radiated mischief as they each took one of Grace’s arms and dragged her toward the house.
“Hey,” Grace complained, wanting to be with Reed.
“Change of plans,” Morgyn said, looking cute as ever in one of her own designs, a pink jagged-edged dress with several colorful necklaces and a bright blue and purple shirt, sleeves cuffed, hanging open in pure hippie style. “We’re going to the jam session.”
“But Mom’s been planning this barbecue for two weeks. She won’t be happy.” She glanced at Reed, sure he’d be disappointed since they were both looking forward to their first real family get-together, but he shrugged and smiled, like he was cool with it.
“She’s fine,” Brindle said as they dragged her toward the front door. “We need to get you out of those city clothes.”
“What?” Grace looked over her shoulder at Reed. “Reed!”
“I love your clothes!” he hollered as they climbed the porch steps. “But I also love you in cutoffs!”
“Since when has a Montgomery girl let a man decide what she wears?” Brindle pointed out.
“You guys, all my clothes are at Reed’s.”
Amber and Reno caught up to them at the front door. “Don’t worry. I helped pick everything out. You’re going to look amazing,” Amber said.
“You too?” Grace complained as they dragged her into her bedroom and began stripping her down. “I can get undressed myself, and I’m not wearing cutoffs in public!”
“Hush up, sugar lips,” Morgyn said. “You’ve been in control of your life way too long. Tonight you’re one of us again, like it or not.”
“We miss you, Gracie,” Amber said. “Give us tonight. Please?”
Unexpectedly bowled over with emotions for the hundredth time lately, how could she say anything but, “Just be kind, please. No ass-baring skirts or halter tops.”
“But you have the best legs in the family!” Brindle complained.
“I do not!”
“Best legs for sure,” Morgyn said. “Best boobs goes to Brindle. Best ass is Amber—”
“Really?” Amber squealed and turned in front of the mirror, trying to see her butt.
“Hell yes,” Brindle said. “Best overall figure is—”
“Sable,” they all said in unison, then tumbled onto Grace’s bed in a heap of laughter at the silly Best Of game they used to play.
Grace lay between Amber and Morgyn, smiling up at the ceiling. “Where is Sable?”
“She got stuck rebuilding an engine at the shop. She’ll be late, but she’ll meet us there.” Morgyn paused for only a second before saying, “Best hidden figure is—”
“Pepper!” they all said at once.
“Morgyn’s best lips, eyes, and hips,” Amber said. “You’re so lucky, Morg.”
“And Axsel’s got it all going on,” Grace added. “Lucky dude!”
She felt Morgyn and Amber lace their fingers with hers and knew Brindle’s and Morgyn’s were also linked. How had she gone so long without this closeness? When they all lifted their hands, hers were right there with them as they all recited the silliness they had since they were kids: “Not a loser in the bunch!”’
Amber and Morgyn jumped off the bed and pulled off Grace’s heels. Brindle danced around the room singing a senseless song about country girls and sexy dresses, and Grace realized this wasn’t silliness at all. She pulled on the dress Brindle handed her, and Amber gathered her hair to the side and zipped it up. The dress was snug around the bodice, but soft and surprisingly comfortable.
Morgyn draped several necklaces of varying lengths around Grace’s neck, and Brindle pushed bangles onto Grace’s wrist as if she were their personal Barbie doll.
“Wait!” Grace grabbed her skirt and dug the boyfriend-girlfriend bracelets Morgyn had made out of her pocket. “Help me put these on under the bangles.”
“You haven’t given him his yet?” Morgyn helped her put them on, then slid the bangles down over the beaded bracelets.
“We’ve had a lot going on, but tonight’s the night. I can’t wait to see his face when I surprise him.”
Their mother appeared in the doorway, smiling the way mothers do when they’re happy to see their children playing nicely with one another. Grace rolled her eyes as if to say, I didn’t have a choice, but inside she was enjoying every second of it.
“We packed up all the food to bring with us, and the dogs are inside,” her mother said. “We’re ready when you are. And oh, my word. Reed is going to lose his mind.”
“You think so?” Grace asked hopefully.
“Goodness, yes,” their mother assured her. “Not that he needed any incentives.”
“Sit down, Gracie,” Morgyn urged. “I repurposed these just for you.”
Morgyn slipped Grace’s feet into a pair of gorgeous cowgirl boots embellished with lace, leather straps, and beaded rope.
“I’ve never seen anything like these. Not even in New York. Thank you, Morg!” Grace hugged her. Then she went to the mirror to admire her outfit. She could hardly believe she was looking at herself. Her legs looked a mile long in the cute sleeveless floral minidress. The bodice had ribbing down the center with tiny unmatched buttons, and the skirt flared out with three ruffles. The boots and accessories made the entire outfit look like a fashion statement.
“Morgyn, did you make this dress?” Grace asked.
“Yes. Would you believe it was ankle length, long sleeved, and plus sized when I got it? Check this out.” Morgyn turned her by the shoulders. “Look in the mirror.” She pointed to button-embellished darts she’d sewn into the back of the dress.
“Aren’t they fantastic?” Brindle said.
“Yes. It’s so pretty,” Grace said. “You have the best vision. I’d never pick out anything with ruffles or flowers.”
“We know,” her sisters and mother said in unison.
“You look gorgeous, Gracie,” Amber said.
Then they were hugging again, laughing as Brindle began messing with Grace’s hair, and they convinced her to let them do her makeup. Their mother went outside as the girls huddled around the bathroom mirror, and Grace’s heart swelled. These were the people, along with her other siblings, who made her believe she really did have great legs, who had encouraged and inspired her to move to New York and chase what probably had seemed to everyone like an impossible dream, despite how much they’d each miss her. And they were the ones who had unknowingly held her together all those years ago when she and Reed had broken up. Only Sable had known why her heart had shattered, but nevertheless, they’d all been there to pick up the pieces.
She wondered how many of their crises she’d missed over the years and who was there to pick up the pieces for Pepper and Axsel, who both lived so far away. She silently vowed to make a concerted effort to stay in closer touch with all of her siblings.
After they made her feel more beautiful than she had ever been, she was excited and nervous about seeing Reed. What if he hated her in ruffles?
With the support of her sisters, each linked arm in arm, she walked out onto the porch, which was beautiful in and of itself because of Reed’s hard work.
Reed looked over and his jaw dropped. His eyes found Grace’s, full of love, heat, and everything in between, and her heart tumbled anew.
“WOW, GRACIE,” REED said as she stepped off the porch. “You look amazing. I mean, you always look beautiful, but you look…Aw, hell.” He pulled her into his arms and kissed her through her smiles, dipping her over his arm as he took the kiss deeper.
Their family and friends cheered them on, making them both smile, but he continued kissing her until Brindle said, “Dude…”
Reluctantly bringing her upright, Reed said, “You look like the sexy small-town girl I fell in love with, only ten times hotter.”
“Now, tell me that didn’t make all your sisters’ efforts worthwhile,” her mother said.
“I’m not sure. Maybe I should come back out and get that kiss again,” Grace teased. “Reed, Morgyn made this dress and embellished the boots. Aren’t they cute?”
“Almost as cute as you,” Reed said.
“That’s my sweet-talkin’ boy,” Roy said, and opened his arms to Grace, drawing her into a hug. “You look beautiful, darlin’.”
“Thank you,” she said. “I’m so glad you both are here. We’ve waited a long time for a get-together like this.”
“The best things in life are worth waiting for,” his aunt said.
A troubled expression washed over Grace’s face as she returned to Reed’s side. She turned away from the others, speaking quietly. “I feel guilty that your family has known about us for all these years and my dad and sisters didn’t. Would you mind if we told them? I want them to know that this was a long time coming.”
“Baby, I am so done hiding, you have no idea. Let’s do it.” He kissed her softly. “But you know within fifteen minutes of being at the jam session everyone in town will know.”
“I know. I’m kind of counting on that.” Her smile reached all the way up to her eyes. “It bugs me that no one knows we have history together. I love our history.”
“Are we ready to go?” her mother interrupted.
“Go ahead, baby,” Reed urged.
“Actually, we have something we wanted to say.” Grace drew in a deep breath, her eyes moving from her parents to her sisters. “You know that Reed and I would never purposefully hurt any of you, but we have a confession to make, and we hope you’ll understand why we did what we did.”
She turned a nervous expression to Reed, and he squeezed her hand encouragingly. She smiled and said, “Reed and I dated in high school.”
“I don’t remember that,” Morgyn said. “When?”
“Our senior year,” Reed explained. “We kept it a secret because Grace was a cheerleader here, and I was the quarterback for Meadowside. I didn’t want her to be ostracized by her friends.”
“And I didn’t want his friends to give him a hard time,” Grace added.
“Oh my gosh,” Brindle said. “See? That’s just one reason why the schools have made strides to eliminate that ridiculous rivalry stuff that used to go on. I am so glad life is not that complicated for kids anymore. Being a teenager is hard enough without worrying about whether your friends will hate you for something like who you’re dating. And I have to say, I wondered if you two had hooked up before, because Grace never gets all lovey-dovey with guys. Like…ever.”
“Well, I’m glad to hear that.” Reed pulled Grace closer. “We missed out on doing a lot of things together, and I want to make up for each and every one of them.”
“Well, you obviously didn’t miss out on everything,” Brindle said under her breath.
Grace glared at Brindle, and her eyes shifted to their parents, as if to remind her of their presence. “Dad, I’m sorry for lying to you. And Ella and Roy, I’m sorry we asked you to keep our secret. It wasn’t a fair position to put you in.”
“That’s okay, honey,” Ella said, exchanging a glance with Marilynn that Reed couldn’t quite read. “We did the right thing.”
“And I’m sorry, Cade and Marilynn,” Reed said. “It wasn’t our intent to be disrespectful, but we worried if Grace’s siblings knew, it would be too much to ask for them to try to keep a secret.”
“What?” Brindle threw her hands up. “You’re blaming us? We’re awesome secret keepers!”
Grace smirked.
“We are,” Brindle insisted. “I never told Mom and Dad about the time me and Morgy—”
“Stop!” Morgyn slapped her hand over Brindle’s mouth, causing everyone to laugh. “Whatever was going to come out of that trap of yours needs to stay locked up.”
Grace went to her father and said something Reed couldn’t hear. The look in Cade’s eyes and the hug he gave her told him things were going to be okay.
Better than okay, he thought when Grace returned to his side.
She hugged him and said, “Thank you.”
“I’d do anything for you, Gracie. I would have told the world back then if I hadn’t thought it would come back on you.”
They followed the others down the driveway, and Reed said, “Let’s let the others leave first. That way I don’t have to drive three miles an hour behind my uncle.”
“You always did hate driving slow.”
“Or maybe I want a reason to be alone in the car with you.” He gathered her in his arms and pressed his lips to hers.
“Hurry up, lovebirds!” Brindle said as she and Morgyn ran past. “We have rumors to spread!”