Page 229 of Lovers' Dance: Vol. 2

Grumps looked at me. I knew he was going to test it, I just knew he was going to say something wicked.

“You’re lucky death is right around the corner for you,” I got in there first, always better to be on the offensive with the Bradleys.

“Madison,” Matt’s hushed murmur made me think I had maybe taken it a step too far. Death was final and shouldn’t be wished on anyone, well, except bad people.

“You’re lucky we’re a wealthy family,” Grumps shot back. “Raising two isn’t cheap. Did you plan this?”

“Dad!” William’s cheeks were ablaze and he kept sending Matt rueful half-grins.

“I owe you a smack,” I said coolly. “Do you remember that, Mr Bradley? You slapped me once. Shall we even up the score today?”

The air sang with charged tension. Everyone else was frozen in shock. George’s face was comical, I had never seen his mouth open to that size before.

“Humph,” Grumps snorted and closed the small distance between us. “I told you to call me Grumps and don’t threaten me, it’s unbecoming of you.” Then he wrapped his arms around me. I swore I heard his bones creaking. He seemed much frailer since I’d last seen him. “Silly girl.” he grumbled.

“Senile.” I mumbled under my breath, reluctant to hug him back.

Grumps didn’t loiter with his hugging, it was brief and he raised one eyebrow at me while backing away. His eyes, so like Matt’s, scrutinized my face. “It could be worse,” he mused slyly. “He could have married that Gilliford girl.”

We both fell for it, Matt and I that is, Grumps knew exactly what hewas doing by bringing her up.

Like oil to the fire, Matt took a deep breath, cheeks a virulent red as he bristled in rage. “Did I not say that woman is not to be spoken about in my presence?”

Nicki grabbed her sister’s arm, smiled sweetly in my direction, and high-tailed it down the hallway. Natty willingly allowed herself to be carried along. That pixie cut was cute.

“You are a horrid man.” I stopped wondering how my hair would look that short and followed Matt’s lead.

“Did I not just warn you about annoying me?” Matt carefully side-stepped me.

“Why would you mention her?” I blazed, feeling my temperature rise.

“I told you we should have left him at home,” Portia murmured to William Jr.

“I know,” he murmured back. “I know.”

“You may be my grandfather,” Matt was within choking distance of Grumps. “But I will toss you out on your ear.”

I twisted my face and huffed at Matt, the eye roll was eloquent.

“What?” he growled, offended at my display. “I will, watch me.”

I shook my head, so did Hannah. No one was throwing Grumps out. Matt was posturing and his grandfather was enjoying himself. Why rile us needlessly? He must know he was playing with fire. Unless Matt didn’t explain exactly what had taken place with witchy Medusa. Had he told his family everything or nothing at all? Did they think I was to blame for the failure of our marriage?

“Did you tell themeverything?” I suddenly felt embarrassed. Did they know all the sordid details of our split? The half-truths and anger and viciousness?

“No,” Matt said. “Not everything-”

“I know everything,” Adam, reeking of self-importance, supplied his first words since I arrived. He strode towards us and I automatically moved into the safety of Matt’s personal space. “Don’t I get a hello?” His attempt to lighten the atmosphere fell flat, at least on my part.

I said nothing for a few moments before giving him a curt nod. He apparently expected more from me because he sauntered past his parents and raised his arms in preparation for a welcoming hug. I scornfully glanced at his open arms before moving slightly behindMatt. Adam was smoking pure crack cocaine if he thought he could touch any part of me.

“Ah,” His arms fell to his sides. “It’s good to see you, Madison. And I second Stuart, you’re looking well, radiant is the word. Um, how have you been?”

I just looked at him.

“Poppet,” Matt murmured after Adam sent him a perplexed, and certainly worried, glance.

“Don’t call me that.” I replied before checking my potential escape route. George was unfortunately stuck by the front door and Matt’s family were between me and the hallway. “I need the bathroom.”

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