Page 49 of Feels Like Home

“Eh. He can handle it. He’s hyper, too. I think he downed a Red Bull earlier. So, what are you starting?” he asksagain.

“Oh, Andy’s just about to tell us all about his and Christine’srelationship.”

“Uhhh…” Gradyhesitates.

“Grady?” Barrett leans forward, his voice a warning. A warning that says, “boy you been holding out onme?”

“I knownothing.”

“Starting out by saying that you know nothing when we never asked if you do only makes us more suspicious that youdoknow something. You know that, right?” Jamesteases.

“Wait. Guys. This… just no. If he knows something because of Bri, then Bri trusted him with that and Christine trusted her with it. It’s not right,” I say, hoping they’lllisten.

“But they won’t know that you know,” Josh says, leaning forward in hisseat.

“Oh, they’ll know that we know,” Barrettjokes.

James groans, throwing his head back. “Stop! Holy shit y’all are so damn annoying. Between the Friends shit and talking in circles… just… stop! Grady. Kiddo. Sorry, but you’re gonna have to throw Andy a bonehere.”

“I invited her to come with us to the cabin. Did I push it?” I blurt out the main question and concern that’s been on mymind.

“Nah, man. You didn’t. She’s excited. Nervous, from what Bri tells me, butexcited.”

I blow out abreath.

“Good. Good. That’s good. Anythingelse?”

“Just that she seems really happy. Bri said she’s never seen her mom as happy as she isnow.”

We hear a grunt and some loud raucous laughter before Blake yells, “Grady! Get back down here! They’re toomuch!”

Grady chuckles before standing up to head downstairs. “I’m glad you and Christine have each other, Andy. But as someone who’s loved her like a second — or third — mom for a long time now, I gotta say… if you hurt her? I won’t be happy. I mean that. She’s a good woman, a great mom. She’s one in a million, just like her daughter, and someone who means a lot to me and myfamily.”

I press my lips together. A threat coming from an eighteen-year-oldshouldbe funny, but I know it’s coming from his heart. Christine is everything he said and so muchmore.

I hold his eyes as I nod and reach up to shake hishand.

“Got it, and you don’t need toworry.”

“Good. I’m heading down to save Blake from your littleheathens.”

“Thanks for letting them hang out with you two. They really needed it. Been a bit of a rough week forthem.”

“It’s no problem. They’re fun to pick on,” he says with agrin.

As soon as he’s out of the room, the men turn to me, Barrett speaking upfirst.

“We wanna hear it from you, Andy. What’s going on in your head? You gonna keep that promise toGrady?”

“I really like her,” I admit. “I know that sounds like I’m back in high school but… I do. I feel like there’s something bigger there. Stuff between Heather and me, it’s been over for a long time. I just didn’t want to admitit.”

“The divorce with Heather? When’s itfinal?”

“We meet with the lawyers the week after we get home from the cabin. Typically, it would take longer because of the kids. I’m not sure how my lawyer got it pushed through but I’m grateful. I don’t know why she’s dragging herfeet.”

“Probably to piss youoff.”

“It’sworking.”

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