Page 80 of Unrivaled

“Well, I’m glad you’re here at least.”

That earns me a genuine smile, and unfortunately I have to release her hand because we’re in the dining room, and we’re supposed to be keeping our relationship on the down low. Even though my parents already know we’re exploring the possibility of a relationship. I mean, they don’t know all the details, but they know I’m interested in her as more than just a co-parent and ancient history hookup.

But Ben’s not supposed to know anything, and while I don’t know that he would understand the significance of hand holding, I know Tiffany doesn’t want us to even do that in front of him.

Of course my sister doesn’t miss a thing, and when I meet her eyes as I take the seat across from her, she raises her eyebrows and darts her gaze between Tiffany and me. I shoot her a glare that I hope will settle her down, but my track record with Piper lately hasn’t exactly been great.

But all she does is turn to Tiffany and smile. “It’s so great to see you again. How’ve you been?”

“Oh!” Mom says, pausing mid-step as she heads to the kitchen to grab something. “I forgot that you mentioned you knew Tiffany, Piper.”

“We have some friends in common.”

“I have a class with Autumn,” Tiffany chimes in.

“And Autumn is friends with Dani,” Piper finishes. “My roommate,” she adds for Tiffany’s benefit.

Mom nods and continues bustling around, making sure everyone has everything they could possibly want or need. I give McAdam a nod of greeting, and he nods back, his posture relaxed and his arm propped on the back of Piper’s chair.

With Tiffany here, I understand why Piper insists on bringing him all the time. At first I thought it was mostly to needle me, but it’s comforting having someone at your side who’s not mired in the family history and expectations and is just there as a support.

Though to be fair, Tiffany’s here for more reasons than that. Which is why she’s been so nervous. She’s worried they’re going to judge her and hate her and blame her for keeping Ben away for so long, despite my reassurances that I was the one who never extended my mom’s standing invitation to Thursday dinners.

Even though I’ve enjoyed living in our little bubble the last six weeks or so, I’ve known it couldn’t last. And with the combines in a few days and the draft a little over a month later, things are going to be changing fast around here. Although at least once the combines are over I can relax a little with my training schedule. Which means I’ll be able to spend more time with Tiffany and Ben. And maybe I can convince her that coming with me won’t necessarily mean giving up everything yet again. Maybe I can convince her that it’ll mean trading up.

At least I hope so.

CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX

Tiffany

Piper’s familiar face does more to calm me than any of Gray’s reassurances. It’s not that I don’t believe him, it’s that he’s not the one on trial here. But maybe if Piper’s on my side, it won’t be so bad.

And from her welcoming smile, I’m going to count her as an ally. Plus, she’s obviously excited to finally meet Ben.

For his part, Ben is thrilled with all the attention he’s getting. Any time attention drifts away from him and conversation centers on anyone else, he says something goofy and draws it all back to him.

It’s perfect, though, as far as I’m concerned. Everyone thinks he’s the most adorable thing they’ve ever seen. Even Piper’s boyfriend can’t help smiling at my super cute kid. It’s nice to know I’m not the only one who thinks he’s charming.

It makes me wonder what Grayson was like when he was Ben’s age, though.

At the next lull in conversation, I decide to ask.

Melissa stops for a second, her fork hovering above her risotto as she contemplates what Gray was like as a child. Then she looks at Ben. “He wasn’t nearly as outgoing as your little guy here, for all they look almost identical. Did you see the picture in the living room when you came in? I swear, they look like they could be the same child.” Shaking her head in disbelief, she returns her attention to me. “He could, of course, be a charmer when he wanted to with that smile of his. He still does it, as I’m sure you know, and uses it to his advantage. Always has. Whenever I would tell him no while he was growing up, he’d try out that smile to see if he could get me to change my mind.”

“Did it work?” I ask.

“Sometimes,” Gray puts in. “Often enough to make it worth the effort.”

Melissa gives me a conspiratorial grin. “You’re a mother. You know how it is. Sometimes it’s just too hard to say no to that face, isn’t it?”

Chuckling, I nod.

Asking about Gray as a kid seems to be the trick to get them all on my side, though. Not that they were necessarily against me, but the polite friendliness they greeted me with turns into genuine warmth the longer they tell stories. Even Gray’s dad seems to have decided I’m okay. Not that he was rude to me before or anything, but there was an unmistakable chill coming off him where I was concerned.

And if there were any doubt that I’d struck all the right notes, Piper makes sure I know the truth before we leave. After using the upstairs bathroom, I open the door to find her waiting for me.

She grabs my arms and pulls me close. “You. Were. Brilliant,” she loud whispers. “And asking about Gray as a kid? Genius. I’ll be using that trick the next time I visit Cal’s parents. Not that I need to impress them, really, but it’s always nice to get in good with your boyfriend’s parents, right?”

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