Page 5 of Coming for His Second Chance
Then, Helen and her daughter, Linda, moved in with us. Linda is a year younger than me, and at sixteen, she was already a mean girl. She was mad that she had to switch schools, and she wasn't afraid to take it out on me.
So, when I thought Grayson had slept with her, it hurt, because of how horrible she was to me, and Grayson knew it, because we talked a lot. But also, because she was still underage, and it could get him in so much trouble. The thought of him doing that made me think he possibly wasn't the man I thought he was.
Then, the more I thought about it, the more I was convinced Linda lied to him about her age. She had a fake ID, and she wasn’t afraid to use it.
It's all too much, and I need a distraction. What I want to do is focus on my dad. After all, I'm here to spend time with him.
"So, Dad, you still playing on the basketball team?"
I have no interest in basketball, but I know it will get him talking. He can talk for hours about the games, practice, and the guys on the team. It's the perfect distraction from all the butterflies in my stomach that make it impossible to eat.
Listening to him, doesn't allow me to think about Grayson and our dinner tonight, which is very much a date. Might as well call a spade a spade, right?
Grayson
If I thought Kaitlyn looked hot, when I saw her earlier today in the parking lot, then she looks like a goddess now in the leggings and the blue sweater dress she has on with the same jacket as earlier.
"Am I dressed okay?" She asks.
"You’re perfect," I say, as my eyes sweep over her appreciatively. Taking her hand, I lead her back out to my truck and help her inside. This is as much to be a gentleman, as it is to be able to put my hands on her a little bit more, as I help her in.
"Still not going to tell me where we’re going?" She asks, when I climb into my seat.
"Nope." I smile at her.
I have a whole evening planned out for us. It's a very low key one, but I still want to surprise her.
Wanting her to talk on the drive, I ask, "So, tell me about your job."
She goes on to tell me about working at Oakside, her patients, the events there, and about Lexi and Noah, who own the place.
Obviously passionate about her work, Kaitlyn talks the entire ride, and only stops to take in the iron gates, when we pull up.
I roll down my window and put in the gate code, and when the gate starts creaking open, she looks at me with surprise.
As we drive up, she takes everything in and gasps, as the house comes into view.
"Where are we?" She asks.
"My place," I tell her.
"Thisis your place?" She says in shock.
The large mansion has a chateau design to it. It was my mom, who fell in love with the style, liking the balconies and rounded rooms that almost look like towers. She used to call it her own miniature castle.
"It was my parents’ place. They passed a few years ago, so it's mine now." I tell her.
That seems to stop her in her tracks, and she looks over at me.
"I'm so sorry, Gray."
I shrug it off and focus on her calling me Gray. She’s one of the only people I allow to call me that. Hell, she’s the only personnow that my parents are gone. A few friends call me G, but no one but Kaitlyn calls me Gray.
I get out to open her car door and take her inside. This isn't a time for a sad walk down memory lane. Tonight, is about me taking the woman I've been hung up over for years out to dinner.
"I can give you a tour inside later if you want, but first this way." I tell her, as I lead her around the side of the house and out the door.
When we come to the backyard, she gasps just like I hoped she would. The back yard is covered in a twinkle light canopy. There are flowers everywhere, and a table with a catered meal, along with heaters to keep her warm.
