Page 70 of Someone You Deserve

“What’s up?”

“I saw your truck outside and I was on my way to the gym, so I just decided to stop by to say hello. We didn’t get a chance to talk at the game.”

Grady showed up during the second half of the soccer game yesterday and watched us clench the championship, but then he had to get back to the garage to work on a customer’s car. I barely got to say two words to him the entire time he was there, but based on how casual he’s being right now, I’m guessing he doesn’t know what transpired between me and his sister.

“Well, I was kind of busy.”

He nods. “I know, but I wanted to congratulate you in person. That was a hell of a game and season. I bet you’re glad to have a break.”

“Thanks, man. Unfortunately, work was still calling this morning, so not much of a break.”

“Just moretimeto work now, right?” He casts his hands out to the side.

“Yeah, something like that.”

“What are you doing here? I thought the Nelsons sold it.”

Fuck. Here we go.

Just tell him. You can’t keep this from everyone forever.

I mean, hell…Pam already told Astrid, who will eventually say something to Grady and then he’ll be pissed he didn’t hear it from you.

“This house is mine now.”

Grady’s eyebrows pop up. “You’re moving?”

“No.” I take a deep breath and say, “I’m gonna turn this place into a rental and start my own contracting business.”

“Shut the fuck up.” I roll my eyes. “You’re serious?”

“Yeah. Is that so hard to believe?”

“No. I’m just surprised. I know you’ve talked about this here and there, but you’re actually doing it? You’re actually starting your business?”

“I couldn’t pass up the price on this place.” My eyes move around the room. “It’s a mess now, and I still have a lot of money and time to put into it, but yeah. I’m doing it.”

Grady closes the distance between us and reaches out to shake my hand. I meet him halfway. “Then congratulations, man. This is huge.”

“It’s not that big of deal,” I say, turning away from him to grab some work gloves from my bag and sliding them over my fingers, feeling his eyes on me as I do.

“Yeah, it is. It’s you moving forward, finally taking control. Hell, did Astrid put you up to this?”

Fuck. Just him mentioning her has my spine stiffening, among other things. “No. She didn’t find out about it until the other night. Why do you ask?”

He shrugs. “I don’t know. You know how she can be pushy about things.”

“Pretty sure you’re the one that’s been pushy with me about this topic.”

He grins. “True, but hey, you finally did something about it, didn’t you?”

The timing was serendipitous for me, much like her, but part of me doing this is so I have something for myself,andsomething to offer her. She deserves a hardworking man who can take initiative.

She deserves a man like her husband.

“I never told her about this plan.”

“Really?”

---