Before I can agree to anything, a figure appears at the entrance to the kitchen. Recognition slams into me an instant later. I blink in rapid succession to be sure, but there’s no mistaking him. No fucking way. Deception poisons the air, squeezing the oxygen from my lungs. The stench is more powerful than turpentine and acrylic paint combined. I almost stumble backward onto my ass from the blow of betrayal.
“Fuck. No.” I jab a finger in his direction while glaring at the woman responsible for raising me. “Not happening. I’ve had it up to my ears with being ambushed. This is going too far. I never expected my own mother to stab me in the back.” I wrench open the front door, set to storm out the way I came in mere moments ago.
“Don’t go, Ford.” The authority in her melodic voice halts my hasty retreat. It seems even as an adult, I can’t disobey my mom. “Stay and hash shit out. Your brother is here to make peace.”
I target my focus on Grant, shooting the sharpest daggers in my arsenal. “You’re a damn traitor. And what the fuck? You’ve been lurking in the kitchen until I put my guard down?” I pin my mother with another glare. “How could you do this to me, Mom?”
Her lips twist to one side. “Well, to be fair, I didn’t know you were stopping by. But he’s your brother and my son, Ford. We’ll always be family. For that biological fact alone, you should hear him out.”
“This is complete bullshit,” I spit.
“I was wary at first, too. No one blames you for calling him out. He deserves some razzing, no doubt. But he’s here on good terms, Ford. Stow your rifle and give him a fighting chance.”
“I have nothing to say to you,” I growl in his general vicinity.
Grant shoves his hands deep into his front pockets. “That’s all right. I have enough to say for both of us.”
A snarl barrels out of me. “I can only imagine the messages our father sent along with you.”
My mom scowls. “Quit being dramatic, Crawford. Your dad has nothing to do with this.”
A stampede of elephants wreaks havoc on my eardrums. “I don’t think either of you has any right to tell me how to feel in this situation.”
Grant rubs a palm over his smooth jaw. “Do you want me to leave?”
“Yeah, you’re good at that.”
He spreads his arms out, opening himself up for attack. “Dammit, Ford. I know, okay? I fucked up, but that’s why I’m here.”
“Ten years too late.”
“Yeah, well, there isn’t a whole lot I can do to change that now. But I’m hoping to fix things between us. Can I have five minutes of your time?” My hesitation hangs heavy in the space between us. His throat bobs with a heavy gulp. “Please?”
“Fuck,” I groan. “Fine. I’ll listen to your sorry-ass excuses.”
His mouth twitches with a smirk. “Thanks. I’ll wait on the deck.”
Grant’s retreating footsteps echo down the hall to where I’m standing with my head ripped to the ceiling. My stomach is more knotted than a rope swing. Another moan slips past my pinching lips. “I can’t believe this shit is happening.”
My mom shuffles her feet beside me. “This is a great thing, Ford. You’ll see. Go outside and talk to your brother before assuming the worst.” A light laugh bounces through her. “I really should’ve gotten the dirt on your lady troubles before shit exploded.”
I scoff. “That’s your fault.”
She nudges my side. “Give me her name and I’ll leave you alone. At least until you’re done talking to Grant.”
“There’s no one anymore. I had been seeing a woman casually.” That word tastes worse than ash on my tongue.
“Who is she?
“Why does it matter? We have far bigger issues to solve.” Now that we’re broaching the subject of Keegan, I realize she hasn’t been plaguing my thoughts since Grant randomly appeared.
She pinches my cheeks as if I’m a toddler. I suppose the maturity level is comparable in certain respects. “I’m your mother and need to believe there’s a chance for grandchildren someday.”
I squint at her, searching for more signs of deception. But my mother has no connection to the blonde seductress. Although, there is one possibility. “She actually adopted a dog from Rover & Meow for her daughter not too long ago.”
Her brows shoot up. “Is that so?”
“Sure is. They couldn’t be happier with Elsa.”
My mother hums, a smile dipped in pure glee curling her lips. “Keegan and Millie, right?”
I grunt and shake my head. “Figures you’d remember them.”
“They’re difficult to forget. I’m sure you’re well aware of that.”
“Unfortunately,” I mutter.
She pats my shoulder. “One problem at a time, Ford. Maybe mending fences with Grant will open your eyes to other possibilities.”
“Highly doubtful.”
My mom pushes me toward the patio door. “Give it a whirl. Good luck.”
I follow her orders, like a puppy. But what choice do I have? None when faced with my estranged brother who apparently wants to make amends.
Grant is sitting in one of the wooden Adirondack chairs when I step outside. He turns toward me, offering up a beer. “Peace offering?”
“I hope you have more than Coors planned for that.” But I take the bottle and twist off the cap.
He guzzles liquid courage before spitting out, “Our dad is a dictator.”
I exhale a dry chuckle. “No shit.”
“Mom was smart to find a way out.”
Another noncommittal noise dips off my lips. “I guess there’s still something we can agree on.”
“I quit,” he blurts.
I startle from the force in his voice. “Already? Damn, that was easy.”
Grant chuckles. “No, you asshole. I left the practice. That lofty corner office wasn’t for me. Not sure it ever was. Dad’s borderline insanity pushed me over the edge. I’ve been thinking about how he treated you and that little girl. It’s been haunting me. Why didn’t I stand up for you?”
“That’s a good question. And who are you calling an asshole?”
He shrugs. “Eh, I deserve that.
