A Promise Kept (18 page)

“Well, it was for the best, perhaps.”

“Of course, Grace. I can tell you’re not like her, and I love my big brother very much. God, I couldn’t imagine ever losing him.” Grace froze as she realized what Hilary was saying, and in turn Hilary’s eyes widened. “I’m so sorry, Grace. He mentioned you lost your brother. I didn’t mean to...shit, I’m such an idiot.”

Grace gave her a reassuring smile knowing the young woman meant no harm. “It’s okay.”

“It’s just, he told me how resilient you are, and how you’re this brilliant writer and artist, and you’ve gone through all this stuff and have come out of it still shining. He really likes that about you. And meeting you in person, I get it. You sort of…fit with him.”

“Well, we just...” Grace shifted awkwardly. How would she explain his lost bet? “Started dating.” She didn’t want the family thinking they were serious. There were still so many steps to work towards. And sure, Evan had introduced her to Christy as his girlfriend, but it didn’t mean anything. He was trying to save face like she had when that jerk had hit on her at the bar.

“I’m just saying I like you for him. Zach told me he likes you too, and Zach’s part of this family. When Evan allows someone into his home, it means something.” There was a pause before she continued. “Don’t break his heart, Grace.”

“I wouldn’t want to.”

Grace was more afraid Evan would break hers.

* * *

T
he rest
of the family had arrived and before long, everyone was having fun, chatting. Jonah asked Grace a lot of questions about Texas and whether she was a big
Ending
fan like he was. Katie was genial and kind, and James definitely asked about her oral hygiene, which Grace thought was hilarious and a bit embarrassing. Zach came over slightly sleepy, but also chastised Evan for the bar fight, telling him that cleaning up the mess was underway. They all watched the football game and relaxed, catching up on life events and including Grace in the conversation. Her nerves had disappeared and she found herself getting along well with everyone.

The late lunch was ready and everyone congregated around the table. They all held hands before settling to eat, Evan leading them in a prayer of gratitude. Grace hadn’t remembered the last time she sat down for a real Thanksgiving Day meal. She usually picked up Chinese food and called it a day.

The snow had started falling in abundance, and evening was beginning to creep up. Grace stood by the window in the library to watch the beauty of it. Evan peeked in and walked toward her. “Hey, pumpkin. We’re getting ready for dessert soon, then we wanted to play charades. You feeling okay?”

She nodded, but an ache in her heart had grabbed a hold and squeezed. “Yeah. I really like your family, Evan.”

He placed his warm hand on her cheek. “I’m glad you came to Boston with me, Grace.” He brushed his lips on hers softly and nibbled her lower lip for only a moment before parting. His sharp eyes focused on hers and gave her a feeling of comfort. Something she hadn’t felt in so long that it seemed foreign to her, as if she didn’t recognize it or the meaning. “Now tell me what’s wrong.”

“It’s so silly.” How could she begin to express the love she sensed from this family dynamic? It was something that had been underprovided in her life, and something she was terrified she’d never have. She couldn’t let herself get too attached. It would only hurt more if it didn’t work out. This was the fulfillment of a bet, nothing more.

“So what? You saw my school pictures. Those were silly.”

She chuckled through her pain and released a breath trying to hold in her sadness. “Seeing what you have here. I wonder what Nathan would’ve been like. Married with kids like Katie and James with someone like Jonah.”

“That little punk? Nah, Nathan would’ve had girls.” The comment caused her to laugh, but it broke as water filled her eyes. His arms enveloped and rocked her. “I’m sorry, Grace.” He kissed her hair and held him to her. “What if we could go to California and visit your folks? When’s the last time you saw them?”

Grace parted from his embrace and shook her head violently. “No, I couldn’t see them, Evan.”

“Why not? Look, just talk to them. I’m sure they’d understand.”

“Understand? They left Austin. If they really wanted to see me they would’ve made an effort. They don’t care about me.”

“They care. Listen, I think if you talked to them about how you feel –”

“No. Please, just drop it.” She felt the onslaught of a panic attack, her defenses starting to build. “I couldn’t take the way they’d look at me. I used to hear it when I talked to them over the phone. The resentment. I know it’s still there.”

“Okay.” He hugged her to him once again, wiping small tears that had escaped onto her cheeks. “I’m sorry. Gracie, it’s okay.”

Evan would never comprehend the way her parents treated her, how she was reminded that she was a constant letdown. The last thing she needed was to try and fail to heal a wound that would remain forever gaping. “Let’s go relax. We’ll sing and play songs on the piano.”

She looked up to him as she sniffled. “You play the piano?”

“A little.”

“Is there anything you can’t do, Mr. Perfect?”

He looked up in thought and hummed. “I can’t caulk a crack or wrap a pipe like you can, Grace Lynn. And I can’t draw or paint to save my life.”

She pushed away from him and laughed as she dabbed her tears away with the sleeve of her sweater. He reached out and helped. “You got some mascara smeared.” Her heartbeat quickened as he wiped her cheeks. Then leaning over, holding her face so gently, he kissed each eyelid. “Your tears gut me. Every time, babe.” He kissed her lips making her feel consoled. “Let’s go make you laugh. That’s my favorite sound in the world.”

The rest of the evening was spent having fun. Grace loved seeing the relationship between Evan and his sisters, but she especially enjoyed watching him with Jonah. His nephew was the cutest thing, and Evan loved him beyond reason. He promised another trip to Disney soon, even saying that he hoped Grace would tag along.

She watched as Evan gave Jonah a piggy back ride throughout the living room, and she felt a stirring in her heart. She yearned for a family of her own, even though she had never longed for a child before. The fact that watching Evan could change her mind alarmed her. Whatever brought on that predilection, she brushed it aside as quickly as possible.

It had turned late, and Evan’s mother convinced most of them to stay overnight. Grace whispered in Evan’s ear. “I didn’t bring anything with me.”

“Sleep naked,” he deadpanned.

“You wish.”

“I’ll lend you some pjs. Come on, Grace.” He pulled her upstairs to his room. It was spacious with a big bed. Shelves were lined with books. Photos of Evan with family and friends riddled corkboards near a small desk. The rest of the walls were stripped bare. “I used to have stupid posters up in this room.”

“What kind of posters?”

“Old movie posters and other crap.”

“Naked girls?”

“No, Mom would’ve ripped those down.” He laughed as she remembered that he was raised in a household full of strong females. “She was a big advocate of respecting women, Gracie. She taught me well.”

Her gaze shifted to the monster in the room as Evan rummaged through his dresser drawers. “So, we’re sharing a bed?”

“We shared a bed the night before.”

“Yeah, but we sort of just fell asleep.” Grace peered at him with apprehension as he approached. “Your mom, she’s gonna think…”

“What? That we’re having sex?” She nodded as he chuckled. “Most couples do have sex, baby. I think we’re the exception. She’d be more shocked that we aren’t having it yet.”

“I didn’t really think we were a couple, Evan.”

He paused in reflection before he handed her a Henley and flannel bottoms. “Hilary has some makeup remover stuff you can use. And when we introduce each other as boyfriend and girlfriend that usually means we’re a couple. I heard you tell that moron at the bar that I was your man.” He smiled mischievously as he shuffled to the bed.

“We haven’t even had our second date.”

“We’ve kissed a lot more than twice though, Gracie Lynn.”

Those dubious poker non-rules were causing havoc on her ability to argue with him. “Yeah, but it hasn’t counted. Well, the first kiss counted when we worked on the desk, which should’ve been considered a date. Actually, I think this whole poker bet has been completed because kiss number two was at the drive-in.”

He laughed, “Well, that desk kiss wasn’t our first, princess. And now you’re just trying to confuse me.”

“Uh, yeah, it was,” she argued. “And the bet’s pretty much completed.”

“No, it wasn’t.” His face was alight and his eyes twinkled as he began to fix the bed, pulling the duvet down. “And let’s just get over this bet thing.”

“Do you date that many women you don’t even remember our first kiss, Casanova?”

He approached her again and slid his hands over her shoulders and down her arms. Grabbing her hands in his, he guided them up to prop them on his shoulders then glided his to her waist. Her breath caught as his gaze and voice grew heartfelt. “You’re the only girl I’ve dated exclusively since Christy, Gracie Lynn. And the only one I’ve thought about since the day I met you.” His lips hovered over hers as his voice sounded rugged. “The first time we kissed was when you were dressed as a very drunk Captain Kirk.”

She gasped as she thought over the revelation. Her cheeks felt hot as she squeezed her eyes closed. “Oh, God, what the hell did I do?”

Evan’s amused expression helped lift her embarrassment. “Not much. You passed out soon after. But I was glad you kissed me, Gracie. You were so closed off, I wasn’t quite sure if you liked me or not.”

“I told you I liked you?”

“Well, you said you were really annoyed at how sexy I looked in my SWAT costume.”

“Yeah, that sounds like something I’d say.” They both laughed as she shifted in his arms. “But, Evan…all this, it all just seems a little too fast, and I’m not sure if-”

“Stop overthinking it, Grace. We’ll let it progress naturally, okay?” He stood in front of her, his eyes lingering, as if he was unable to look away for fear of the moment ending—as if he wanted so much more from her than just a normal evolvement of things. She couldn’t speak. “Get ready for bed. I’m going to say goodnight to my mom.”

She watched him leave the room and looked at the bed in trepidation. That piece of furniture was giving her a hell of a time. Temptation to give in to her rampant hormones was vast, and she was getting worried that her promise would soon be broken.

* * *

“
I
really like this girl
, Mom.”

Rebecca wiped down the table with a cloth as her son gathered the placemats and put them away. Everyone was asleep, and Thanksgiving dinner had been a success. Plus his favorite football team had won, and Grace was upstairs in his bed, so that called for a great day. “I like her too, Evan. I like her a lot.”

“I feel like she’s holding herself back from me though.” He served himself a slice of pumpkin pie then rummaged through the fridge and took out the whipped topping.

“Well, maybe she’s just nervous. You two haven’t been dating long.”

He grabbed two forks and handed one to his mother who stood beside him and shared. “I saw Christy today at the grocery store. She sends her love.”

His mom’s mouth warped into a sneer. “That girl’s something else.” She took another bite of the pumpkin pie then reached into the tub of whipped cream, slathering it on. “Did she see Grace with you?” Evan nodded and his mom chuckled. “Good. I hope she saw you stepped up and found better.”

He laughed. “Mah, that’s a horrible thing to say.”

“You know it’s true, hon. She did a number on my boy, and for that, I heavily dislike her.”

Evan played with the whipped cream on the pie and smiled at his mother’s attempt to defend him. “Heavily dislike?” He took his last bite and scooted the plate to his mom so she could have the rest. “That’s hilarious.”