Page 87 of Little Buried Secrets

Grant swallowed back some beer and shifted his focus to Rae who was engaged in a conversation with a couple in the kitchen.

“How are things between the two of you?” I asked.

“They’re not. We broke up.”

“When?”

“Last night.”

“What happened?”

“She invited me over, sat me down, and said she doesn’t have time to concentrate on us right now with everything else going on in her life. Ask me, her kid put her up to it. She was lurking around during the conversation. Didn’t say two words to me the entire time I was here.”

“Rae doesn’t strike me as the type of person who would allow Bronte to influence her in such a way, not even under these circumstances.”

“I don’t know how else to make sense of it. Two weeks ago, we were talking about taking the next step in our relationship, and now, we’re finished.”

Two weeks ago, Rae’s life hadn’t been turned upside down. And now, here we were talking about his feelings about the breakup. He had yet to say one word about Margot or to express sympathy for Rae and what she was going through. All he seemed to care about was himself and how his life had been impacted since Margot died.

I allowed it, if for no other reason than to see what else I could get out of him.

“Once Rae has had time to process what’s happened, maybe the two of you will find a way back to each other,” I said.

“No, we won’t.”

“Why not?”

“Because I’ve had enough of this town. I’m moving. I’m getting as far away from here as I can.”

“When’s the move?” I asked.

“This weekend. Putting my place up for sale tomorrow.”

It was unexpected, and it made me question if there was another reason for his swift departure.

“Where are you moving?” I asked.

“Reno.”

“Why Reno?”

“My brother lives there. He’s offered me a management position with his construction company.”

“When did you make the decision?” I asked.

“Today, during the funeral when I was made to feel like a third wheel. Our relationship hasn’t even been over for twenty-four hours, and Rae is already distancing herself from me.”

“Have you told her yet?”

He shrugged. “What’s the point?”

“If there’s no point, why are you even here?”

He drank the remainder of his beer and set the empty glass down in front of a photo of Margot, which seemed like a strange place to put it given there was a side table within reach.

For a moment, he didn’t say anything, and then he sighed and said, “You know something? You’re right. I don’t know what I’m doing here. Maybe I was hoping Rae and I could talk, and once I told her I was moving, she’d say something to change my mind. I’m an idiot, a total idiot, and I’m wasting my time.”

Grant started for the front door, a move Rae noticed. She excused herself from the couple she’d been talking to and went outside. I stood in the living room trying to decide whether to remain there or to join them. It was possible they needed a moment alone together. Then again, his temper was unpredictable. Perhaps it wasn’t a good idea for them to be alone in this moment when she had a house full of guests. With that in mind, I headed outside.

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