Make an impact that wouldn’t allow him to let go.
Chapter Ten
Rhett
Grace nudged my shoulder as she sat down on the couch next to me. She crossed her arms over her chest, staring ahead at the television, ignoring the way I was watching her from the side.
“What was that for?”
She shrugged, still looking ahead. “It’s gonna be weird not having you around as much.”
“I’m only moving about thirty feet from the front porch,” I chuckled as I hooked her around the neck and pulled her in closer. “You act like I’m moving to Statesboro or somewhere even farther.”
“Knock it off, knucklehead.” She tried to break free, instantly going for my side and making me squeal like a girl. Did I mention how much I hated being tickled?
“I mean it, you’re always in my business, almost eating my cereal, and putting the empty milk carton back in the fridge.” She grew silent for a few seconds. “Wait, never mind, you moving out might actually be a good thing.”
“I still plan on raiding your cereal and emptying the milk,” I assured her as I leaned back and grabbed the controller. “I’ll still very much be in your business too, so don’t for a second think you’ll pull one over on me.”
“Right.” I caught the tail end of her rolling her eyes. “You’ll be too preoccupied with AJ. I overheard Mom telling Dad about what she walked in on you in the barn a few weeks ago.”
“For your information, smartass, that hasn’t even happened.”
“Whatever, you must think I’m stupid.”
“I’m not joking, Grace.”
I can feel her eyes on me, and I ignored her stare.
“You’re telling me that you and she have not even…” She paused, not finishing the actual question, and I shook my head. “Wow,” she added, almost amazed by the information. “I’m impressed.”
“You make it sound as if I’m some ass that nails one girl after the next.”
“No, it’s just that a rebound generally means a guy goes after that very thing in order to wipe the image of the last girl from his mind.”
“I’m not even gonna go down this road with you, Grace. But let me just say that any guy even thinks of pulling that shit on you, he better move out of the state of Georgia before I get the chance to get ahold of him.” She rolled her eyes again, but I wasn’t even joking the slightest. I didn’t ever want to think of my little sister with any guy; that shit made my head spin and my stomach turn.
“You must really like her,” Grace added, pulling my attention away from my current thoughts.
“I do.” She’d become a huge part of my life in such a short time that at times it even surprised me what things I felt for her.
There was a long pause that settled between us, and I still hadn’t looked at her. I could imagine the shocked look on her face. I knew my family had been hoping for a long time that I would just pick up and move on. Now that it was happening, I think they were all a bit shocked and relieved.
“I like her too,” she added, and then I looked at her. “She seems real nice, Rhett, and the way she looks at you, you can just tell she cares about you too.”
Silence settled over us while I attempted to refocus on the television. I’d noticed everyone around seemed to walk on eggshells in reference to Harley and the news that she was now in a serious relationship with some guy. I’ll admit I hadn’t been completely innocent since Harley and I decided to end our relationship, but those times had never been more than a way to relieve some stress.
But AJ was a pleasant surprise, and yes, she meant more than I ever planned for her to. For the first time, I was able to understand just how Harley had been able to move on with another guy. AJ gave me that hope. She made me laugh, she challenged me, and our time spent together was anything but dull. I loved having her around; everything about it felt right.
“Can I ask you something without you getting mad?” I nodded. I knew where this was going; it was the same place all conversations went whenever AJ was the topic. Same question, only this time coming from a different person. “Would you still like AJ the same if you woke up tomorrow to find Harley standing on our front porch?”
“Yes,” I said without a moment of hesitation. “I’ve told her, I’ve told Mom, hell, I think I’ve told everybody that she isn’t someone to fill some kind of emptiness Harley left. What I don’t understand is why it’s so hard for everyone to accept that I may be over Harley?”
“Because you held out for years, Rhett.” I turned toward my sister and was surprised to find her so outspoken. Grace was generally so laid back and almost oblivious to the things going on around her. She kept to herself on most days. Yet there she was, giving me the third degree instead of the other way around. “You messed around with girls, I know, but it was never more than that. Part of you held out for the chance that Harley would somehow find her way back and the two of you could just pick back up where you left off. You just have to understand that AJ may be fearful because she’s seen those things too. She may be scared to give you her heart because she fears you may not be about to give her the same in return.”
I knew how she felt;
