Page 75 of Sometimes You Fall

I shift in my chair, turning to face her. “How was the food?”

Leaning back, she rubs her stomach. “So good. Thank you for this. And I’m sorry about my grandma. She lacks a filter and I forget that other people don’t know how to react to her sometimes.”

“She’s a hoot, Scottie. I can see where you get your sense of humor from.” Scooting closer, I continue, “I’m happy to have everyone here.” I reach forward and place my hand on her stomach just as our eyes meet. “And I should be thanking you.”

“For what?” Her reply comes out as a whisper.

“All of this,” I say, gesturing around my house full of people I love, full of family.

“I haven’t done anything, Grady.”

I stand from my chair, towering over her as I tip her chin up so she can look me in the eyes. “You’re giving me a life I’ve always wanted, Scottie.” Leaning down, I press a soft kiss to her lips, taking her by surprise. I don’t push for more, just lips on lips, reverence and gratitude expressed physically. “I never thought I’d have this.”

When I stand back up to full height, her eyes are still closed, lifting open slowly before bouncing back and forth between mine. “Grady…”

I take her hand and help her stand. “Come on. Let’s go out back and watch the kids play.”

For the next hour, the ladies sit on the back porch and talk among themselves as Penn and I play with the kids. Chase pitches to Lilly and Bentley, and Penn shags balls from the grass as the kids hit them.

“Anybody want a refill?” I ask before going into the house, eager for another beer myself. Once I get everyone’s requests, I enter the kitchen through the French doors from the patio. I open the fridge to grab the drinks, and when I close the door, I find Lisa, Gigi, and my mom all standing on the opposite side of the kitchen island, staring at me.

“Uh, do y’all need something?”

Gigi doesn’t beat around the bush. “I wanna know how long it’s going to take for you to wear down my granddaughter,” she says.

“Okay…” I draw out the word, momentarily stunned.

“If I have to watch her eye fuck you one more time, I’m going to throw her on top of you myself.”

Setting the drinks on the island, I brace myself for this conversation. “I don’t think that will be necessary, and honestly? It will probably just piss Scottie off even more, so let’s not.”

My mother nods. “I’m seeing it too, which is why we all decided to come in here and say something.” She looks at Lisa and Gigi.

“Are y’all trying to meddle in our lives right now?”

Scottie’s mom nods, smiling. “Of course. That’s what mothers do. I once read a book series where the mom meddled in all her sons’ love lives, and I don’t think I’ve ever read something more relatable than that. In fact, she then taught her daughters-in-law how to meddle. It’s our duty to teach the future generations, so if you have a girl, just know she will learn this talent as well.”

I rub the back of my neck. “I don’t know whether I should feel supported or scared.”

“I know my daughter, Grady, andshe’sscared,” Lisa says. “She never was until she had Chase, but being a mother changes you in so many ways that a man will never understand. I don’t think I have to tell you that my daughter became jaded and scarred by the man she had a child with before. But you’re not him, and she just needs to see that.”

I blow out a breath and shove my hands in my pockets. “I’m trying.”

“Well, try harder,” Gigi says sharply.

“Look, I know you’re all invested in this, which I’m not sure is a blessing or a curse at this point,” I say, narrowing my eyes at all three of them. “But Scottie and I have to do what’s best for us and I don’t want to push her before she’s ready.”

Lisa rounds the counter, standing right in front of me. “Just don’t let her push you away, Grady. Please.” There’s a hint of desperation in her voice and pleading in her eyes. “I know I sent you away that morning you showed up looking for her, but she asked me to. Now, after seeing you two together…” She shakes her head. “You’re the kind of man who can show her what real love is.”

“I won’t give up on her,” I say, even though I have no control over the woman. All I can do at this point is keep proving she can trust me, keep getting her to give in to my touch, and try to be involved as muchas she’ll let me.

“You both deserve a second chance at happiness,” my mother says. “And this baby deserves you two together—not because that’s what’s expected, but because you two were meant for each other.”

Fuck, I feel that too.

“What’s going on?” All four of us spin our heads in the direction of the French doors where Scottie stands, assessing us with her gaze.

Lisa reaches for the drinks I placed on the counter. “Just helping Grady take the drinks out. He only has two hands, you know?” Holding four cans in her arms, she moves around her daughter and heads back outside.

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