Page 146 of Outcast
“A silly kid who knew what he wanted,” Grandpa said. His eyes shifted to me. “If it’s different for you, Emory, that’s okay. It’s called GoldCommunityBank because it expanded beyond our family. We’ve got other employees there now, and anyone who lives in Riverton could help us manage it. Just because your family owns it doesn’t mean it has to own you.”
I looked uncertainly between Grandpa and Dad. One of them looked happier about this pronouncement than the other. “But who would?—”
“Hello?” Shayla’s hand shot into the air. “I know my name’s not Gold, but I’m still family, and I’d love to move up at the bank.” She paused. “Ifyou ever want to leave, that is.”
I snorted at her eagerness. There was one person who wouldn’t be sad if I took another path, at least.
“I don’t know what I want to do,” I said.
“And that’s okay,” Grandpa said. “You’ll figure it out, and whatever it is will be okay. This whole family has spent too long locked in a cycle of grief. We all deserve to find happiness wherever we can.”
“I couldn’t have said it better myself,” Mom said approvingly.
Grandpa nodded. “And that’s why I’m going to propose to Stella Hargrove, down at the pharmacy. We’ve been sneaking around for years.”
Mom gasped. “Finally!”
“About time,” Dad agreed.
I grinned at Grandpa across the table. My emotions ran close to the surface, swinging up and down as I wrestled with figuring out what I wanted my future to be.
It was too much to process all at once. I had Gray by my side. I had his love. For now, that was enough. But eventually…
Well, maybe I really would leave the bank and pursue something else at some point. But like Gray had said, all in good time.
For now, I was happy to join the rest of the family in teasing Grandpa.
“I guess Allison and I are better at keeping secrets than you.”
Allison smirked. “Yeah, but then you went and let the cat out of the bag. After that throwdown with the sheriff, the whole town knows you’re dating Gray.”
Dad winced. “Sorry.”
“I’m glad they know,” I said, leaning in against Gray. “But I’m sorry if it messed up your dad’s election campaign.”
“Nah, I’ve got the sympathy of a jilted woman now,” she joked. “Matteo has a steady job, thanks to Gray and his brothers giving him a chance. We’ve decided we’ve got nothing more to hide. If you could be brave enough to tell your family about Gray, I knew I needed to do the same with mine. Dad was a little peeved at first, but he got over it.”
“Good, you deserve to be happy,” I said.
“So do you.”
I nodded. “You know, I think I might be starting to finally believe that.”
“Now, then,” Mom interrupted. “Whatisyour favorite dessert, Emory, since it’s obviously not cherry cobbler.”
“I can answer that,” Gray said. “He loves cheesecake.”
“Oh, okay, I can do that. Cherry topping or?—”
“No!” I shouted.
Everyone laughed.
“Looks like you’re getting the hang of this thing,” Grandpa said with a chuckle.
“Caramel drizzle,” Gray informed my mom. He’d apparently been paying attention on our last dinner date.
“Mm. That does sound good,” my mother agreed with a smile. “I’ll have to look up a good recipe.”
