Playing with Fire
“I … this is …”
West takes it out and slides it onto my ring finger.
“Three years ago, I walked into a college theater and watched as you smashed your debut role. Now you’re playing with the big boys and girls, and you know what? I had no doubt you would. I want to spend the rest of my life with you, because everything that came before you was a fucking waste. You don’t complete me, Grace Shaw. You create a better me.” He draws a quick breath, shaking his head. “Fucking hell, that’s my cliché quota for the century. If it makes it any better, I thought about every single one of those things that I said. I didn’t check Pinterest once for inspiration like East suggested.”
“Eat shit, St. Claire. Pinterest’s got some rad ideas!” I hear Easton yell from the corner of the street, behind a red-bricked building. I’m giggling and hiccupping from excitement now. They’re all huddled around the corner, waiting for my answer.
“What do you say, Tex? Wanna walk through fire together?”
I nod, tugging at his hand to make him stand up.
“Can’t think of anyone better to spend the rest of my life with.”
We seal the deal with a kiss, and I wrap my arms around him, giving in to the moment. His kiss is intense, sweet, and demanding, but before it can get too hot for a crowded street, West breaks it off and rubs my back.
“Holy shit, Tex.” He grins down at me. “And to think that it all started when I put a pair of ballerina shoes on a food truck stair just to piss you off!”
“And to think that I told her she’d be stupid enough to fall in love with you!” Karlie reappears from the corner, swaggering toward us with a huge grin. She jumps on me, squealing with excitement.
“And to think that I had to drag Grace’s ass out on a date to snap West into action!” Easton jumps on West’s back, laughing.
“And to think …” Lilian pauses, scrunching her eyebrows and giving it some thought. “Fine, I’ve got nothing. I didn’t know y’all three years ago.”
We all burst into laughter, and soon enough, the whole street is clapping for us.
I don’t let the fact that Grams is not here to enjoy this hinder my happiness.
I embrace it. Throw myself into happiness headfirst. Give myself the permission to be in this moment. Because once upon a time, a boy who gave me a ride on his motorcycle told me you can take care of someone else without blaming yourself for all their problems.
He didn’t believe his own words at the time, but now he does.
And so do I.
West
I wait for my parents at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport. Tess and Reign are by my side, their flight having just landed from Indiana. They live next to Reign’s parents now. He’s an insurance broker, and Tess is a stay-at-home mom.
They left their baby daughter, Ramona, with Reign’s parents.
They are both elbowing me from either side as I look on, trying to spot Mom and Dad. Texas slides into the periphery of my vision, handing all of us cups of coffee.
Tess gives her a quick hug.
“Lookin’ good, Grace!”
“Same, Tess. How’s Ramona?”
“Teething. Which is just delightful.” Tess snorts. “Seriously, thanks for getting married. The timing could not be more perfect to take a weekend-long break and leave her with the in-laws.”
“Just enough time for me to knock you up again!” Reign throws his wife a wink and an arm over her shoulder. She rolls her eyes and snorts.
“That’s three minutes. What will you do with the rest of your weekend?” I grunt. Everyone laughs. I want my parents to come out of that gate so we can get out of here. It’s packed as all hell at the airport.
I no longer hate big crowds. Not since I started going to therapy for what was obviously depression and suicidal thoughts. Dr. Riskin says I’m an introvert-extrovert. I say I’m just a man who only enjoys the presence of a handful of people. Mostly, my fiancée and best friend.
“Oh man, look who it is.” Reign jerks a finger sideways. I glance, wondering if my parents are already here and haven’t texted me yet. But no. It’s Kade Appleton. The ape looks up and our eyes lock. He sees my face and flashes me a startled look.
Don’t come here.
Of course he makes his way over to us.
Over the past three years, I put a lot of effort into making sure Kade Appleton stayed on the straight and narrow. I know he dropped his seedy manager shortly after our conversation at Max’s, since the two of them were worthless without the illegal operations they co-managed.
Appleton stops in front of me. Texas is by my side, sliding her fingers through mine and giving me a look I can only describe as please don’t kill anyone. We’ve already paid for the dress.
Duly noted, baby.
“Shit. St. Claire. It is you. Looking good.”
Why does everyone keep saying that? “Looking good?” Why do people even care? It’s not like we’re heading to a mass orgy straight from here.
“You good?” I eye him, throwing a protective arm over my fiancée’s shoulder. It’s an instinct I will never get rid of.
“Totally, man. Havin’ a good time. Been keeping my head low. My probation is over, so I’m back in the martial arts league. First month in. I’m here on a family vacation.”
He is not telling me anything I don’t know. I’ve been watching him closely. Making sure he treats his baby momma right. His gaze flickers to Grace, and I harden. He smiles at her cordially, on his best behavior.
“Your boyfriend …”
“Fiancé,” she corrects him sweetly.
He chuckles. “Whoever he is to you, he is crazy about you. Hope you know that.”
“Sure do.”
“Westie! Gracie!” I hear from the bowels of the gate and forget all about Kade. We both head over to greet my parents. I pick up Mom in the air and give her a twirl. She put some weight on and finally doesn’t feel as light as Aubrey did. Dad is not looking too shabby either. All shaved and clear-eyed. They look younger than they did when I left Maine at eighteen.
“Glad you could make it.” Texas is giving my dad a squeeze. “I know you’ve been busy with the business lately.”
“We wouldn’t miss your wedding for anything in the world,” Mom points out, and I realize that it’s true.