Page 100 of What Are The Odds?
“How basic,” Lana said. “They’re, like, the most mainstream places, mum.”
Deb arched an eyebrow at Lana, who was sitting on the island bench, picking at the bunch of grapes in the fruit bowl. Rick pulled Deb against his side, tucking his arm around her waist.
“Levi mentioned you’re a swimmer.”
I nodded. “I’ve been swimming as long as Levi’s been skating, I suppose.”
“Grace can’t skate,” Levi said, throwing me under the bus.
Rick playfully chastised me. “Now that we can’t have.”
With an amused roll of her eyes, Deb pinched Rick’s stomach.
“You’ll have to borrow Lana’s skates so Levi can give you a lesson, Grace. Knowing how to skate is a rite of passage in this family.”
I guess it was a good thing she wanted me to learn then.
52. First dig
Levi
I rested my hand on Grace’s leg. Will’s family had joined us for dinner. The moment she’d seen another familiar face, Grace had relaxed. She was probably feeling out of depth here. The afternoon had gone well, I think. Mum and dad had kept the questions above board, barely venturing into unchartered territory. My parents were wonderful. I knew that. But they weremyparents. They’d always have my best interests at heart. If there was something that bothered them, I knew they’d call it out.
“Do you have any siblings, Grace?” Will’s mum questioned.
I felt for Grace. All questions had been directed at her today. Whenever I tried to steer the conversation away, it came straight back.
“Two older brothers.”
This time it was Will’s dad. “And what do they do?”
“They run an aquatics business. Seth is a diving instructor and Dylan teaches surfing lessons.”
“Will you work for them when you’re back?” Will’s mum again.
I was kind of glad she’d asked that question. I was keen to hear Grace’s answer. She never spoke about what happened after graduation.
Grace shrugged. “We’ve spoken about adding swimming lessons to the mix. But nothing is set in stone.”
I could work withnothing is set in stone.
It was my dad’s turn now. “And what about your parents?”
Fuck. I mentally chastised myself. I hadn’t given my parents a head’s up. Grace’s eyes momentarily widened, as if she was surprised by the question too.
“My parents passed away when I was sixteen.”
“Oh, Grace,” Mum said soothingly, in the same voice that’d coaxed me through sicknesses and hockey losses. “I’m so sorry. That must have been tough.”
Grace smiled politely, though it wasn’t the full smile I’d come to learn and love.
“It was. But I got through it.”
Mum craned her head. “How?”
That was a bit too personal. I subtly shot her a warning shake of my head. She shrugged, feigning innocence.
“My brothers and I have always been close. And my boyfriend at the time and his parents were amazing.”
