Page 14 of By Your Side
We rejoined the crowd around the fire just as Grandpa appeared with his usual paper plate stacked dangerously high—burger, hot dog, beans, potato chips, and an extra helping of whatever dessert someone dared to leave unattended.
“You girls hungry?” he asked, giving us all a once-over with his Grandpa Radar™—fully capable of detecting emotional instability, heartbreak, or hidden contraband.
Briar nodded.
“Then get you a plate, sweetie,” he said. “I didn’t raise this family to skip dinner over drama.”
“Technically, you didn’t raise me,” Briar said. “And how do you know there was drama?”
He pointed at her with his fork. “I’m still claiming you. And I have eyes, don’t I? I know what drama looks like when I see it.”
Piper appeared as if out of nowhere, strawberry in one hand, probably sensing family tension like the bloodhound she was. “Okay, why does Paige have herdo not engageface on?”
“It’s my regular face,” I protested weakly.
“No, it’s the one where you’re mentally drafting an email that starts with ‘per my last message’ and ends with jail time. What’s going on? Let me help.”
I sighed and waved a hand. “Danielle told Briar to quit dance class to save money. Apparently, they need a new couch.”
The ripple was instant. Cara dropped her drink. Lucy gasped so dramatically you’d think someone spoiled the ending to a true crime documentary. Eliza whispered, “That witch,” which in Eliza-speak was basically a declaration of war.
“Maybe we should kick her ass a little bit,” Lucy grumbled.
“I’ll get a shovel and pick a spot behind the barn,” Cara offered. “You know, if it gets out of hand.”
“I’ll provide the alibis,” Spencer added.
“Guys,” I said, rubbing my forehead. “We’re not going to kill her or beat her up or even talk to her.”
“Speak for yourself,” Ren muttered. “I am on this. No charge. This was settled.”
Grandpa just stood there, nodding slowly, like he was running calculations in his head. Finally, he jabbed his fork toward Briar. “You want to keep dancing?”
Her eyes widened. Hope shining through. “Yes.”
“Done. I’ll pay for it. Forget about Danielle and whatever she wants. Forget about Eli, too. Problem solved—no conflict, no arguments. We’ll keep our little Briar-girl out of the middle.”
“Grandpa—” I started, instantly launching into my default protest. “That’s not necessary. I’ve got it.”
He gave me a look that could stop time. “You’ve been doing everything yourself for too damn long, Paige. Let me do this one thing. I won’t even tell your mother about it.”
I groaned. “Now it sounds shady.”
“Good,” he said. “Keeps things exciting.”
“But I can?—”
“Paige.” He stepped closer, his voice gentle now. “Let her dance. Let me help. You’ve taken care of everybody else. It’s okay to let someone take care of you for once.”
I looked around the firepit—at my sisters, my girls, the way Piper had slid an arm around Briar’s shoulders, and how Lark had quietly handed her a marshmallow and a Hershey Bar. These people were mine. Messy, loud, and way too involved, but allmine.
“Okay,” I said, voice soft.
“Okay?” Grandpa repeated, eyes narrowing like he didn’t quite believe it. “Really?”
I nodded. “Okay.”
“Well, alright, done deal. Dance with me, honey.” Grandma clapped her hands together in satisfaction, then she grabbed Briar and spun her in a circle before pulling her into a big hug.
