Page 73 of Unforgivable

She tilted her head side to side as if considering my words. “For now,” she said simply.

I blinked harshly, willing the acidic tears to retreat. It was a lot to take in this early, especially from someone I'd known for only twenty-four hours, but somehow it felt right coming from her. There was no judgment in her voice, no demands that I leave Rhys alone. She wanted us to have our best shot. I just had to be brave enough to take it.

“What if I screw things up between us?” I whispered, not trusting my own voice. “Rhys deserves better than me.”

“Let me tell you something about my grandson,” Gran started softly. “He has been through more pain and heartache than most kids his age ever should. Not only did he lose both his parents at such a crucial time in his life, but he's been bullied and picked on more times than I care to think about. He's been hurt physically, mentally and emotionally over and over again. He carries wounds that run deep and he's had to work hard not to let it harden him. It's also made him very selective of who he decides to give his time and trust to. Rhys doesn't waste his time on people who are unworthy of his efforts. Do you understand what I'm saying?”

My stomach clenched and I thought of how compassionate and forgiving Rhys was with me, despite all my shortcomings. He'd miraculously let his guard down again to give me the opportunity to fix things with us, to be in his life. We'd finally gotten to a good place, but what if we could be better? What if I could give him more and be what he deserved?

“You really think I'll be good for him?” I questioned, needing her approval more than anything.

She graced me with a smile that spoke volumes. “If I'm right in my second theory, I think you will end up being the best thing for him.”

Her vote of confidence ran through me like adrenaline, warming every cell in my body with a need to prove her right. I wanted to show her and myself that I could be everything that Rhys needed and more.

Instead of letting that thought run wild, I pivoted to something I had been curious about since meeting her. My gaze flicked to the wall of crosses hanging opposite the kitchen.

“Can I ask you something that I really hope won't offend you?” I said hesitantly.

“Absolutely. I don't get offended by much,” she smiled.

“It's just…you talk about me and Rhys…being together so easily, but you're a Christian. Rhys told me how involved you are in church and how it's such a big part of your life, and I'm just wondering how you're able to accept him being gay like you do? That hasn't always been my experience with religious types.”

This had been itching at my brain since we got here yesterday, and it had been a little awkward when we'd said grace before lunch and dinner. I had never grown up in an overly religious home, my mom being more spiritual than anything. Blair and Jack had belonged to a church close to their house, and each time I heard that people were praying for me when I accused Blair of abuse, it stoked the bitterness and hatred I had for anyone who hid behind religion. I still remember Blair shrieking that I was a sinner and an abomination when I had snapped once and told her I liked dudes. It had gotten me two hours in that goddamn closet, but it had been worth it to see her face.

“Well, that's a fair question. I think some Christians get things twisted about what's really right and wrong in this world. We're not called to judge others for perceived mistakes, only to love them and show forgiveness when we're wronged. At the end of the day, we're all sinners. It really shouldn't make a difference what anyone does behind closed doors as long as they ain't hurtin' anyone. In my book, being gay doesn't even rank as a sin because love shouldn't be seen as something wrong. It's not like stealing or murder. Love is a gift, no matter who it's shared between.”

“But doesn't your faith say people like me and Rhys are mistakes?”

Her eyes flashed angrily, and I worried I'd overstepped. “God doesn't make mistakes. Nothing about my Rhys could be a mistake, including who he chooses to love, mostly because I don't think he has much choice in the matter anyway. None of us do. Like that Lady Goo Goo says, he was born this way.”

“I think you mean Lady Gaga…”

“Don't correct an old woman. It's rude. My way is better,” Gran said matter-of-factly and a laugh escaped me at her self-satisfied look. “Just remember Cal, there are some folks who consider themselves a Christian just because they pray and go to church and claim to love God. But being in a church doesn't make you a Christian anymorethan being in a lake makes you a fish. Actions will tell you who someone really is, and I will treat everyone, including my very gay grandson, with nothing but love and kindness until I die. If I get judged for that in the afterlife, so be it. At least Rhys will know without a doubt that he was loved and accepted for who he is. So should you be.”

I dropped my eyes to my lap, not wanting her to see the traitorous tears that had worked their way back up. For fucks sake, one day in Oklahoma had turned me into a mess of hormones. This was just embarrassing.

We were interrupted by the front door opening and closing, Rhys coming around the corner a few seconds later.

“Hey Gran, Laura said hi. Oh, morning, Cal! Did you sleep okay?” Rhys asked, his sweet face flushed as he noticed me at the table. Jesus, he was breathtaking. His wavy brown hair was mussed from the beanie he'd pulled from his head, and the navy turtleneck he wore made him look sophisticated and sexy. I hadn't seen his ass yet, but I knew intimately what those jeans were hiding from my view. It had been far too long since I'd seen it, and my hands tingled with the desire to run all over his lithe body.

But it was his smile that stopped my breath and sent my heart into overdrive. It pounded behind my ribcage as if trying to escape my chest and find its home in his hands. I didn't know if I was still falling for him or if this was something more. How far did I have to fall before I hit the ground at his feet?

But if that was how I went out, what a beautiful death it would be.

Rhys hadn't been exaggeratingwhen he compared his hometown to a Hallmark Christmas movie. The square was lit up with millions of lights strung from the tops of buildings, woven into the trees, and hanging from the eaves like falling snow. Families walked around with cups of hot chocolate and caramel apples, holiday music in the air providing the soundtrack to the idyllic scene.

We had been walking around for over an hour, taking in all the booths and shops that had stayed open late for the festival. Rhys' smile was wide and uninhibited, the joy pouring off him in waves. It was intoxicating to see him so happy. It was clear how much this town and its tradition meant to him. I was thankful the problems he faced whenhe was growing up here hadn't stolen his love for this place. He yanked and tugged me all over the Square, pointing out areas that held special meaning to him over the years.

That was mine and my parents' favorite place to eat when I was a kid!

Over there is where I passed out from heat exhaustion and had some hunky paramedics come help me.

This store was where I had my first job at sixteen. The owners were this sweet old couple and it was the best!

That bench is where I had my first kiss when I snuck out to see Connor one night.

That particular memory made me want to cut my ears off, but I wasn't going to deter him from sharing everything with me. It was like this place opened a window into who Rhys used to be before I met him, allowing me glimpses of his past. Every new tale he told me had me craving more, hungry for every detail I could soak up of his life. I had never wanted to know someone on this level before. I never cared to see anyone deeper than the front they put up. With Rhys, I wanted to know every story, every memory, every minute that I could get. I wanted it all.

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