Page 31 of Sometimes You Fall

“Don’t worry, Grady. I’m not asking for anything from you.” His head snaps to meet my eyes. “My focus is on Chase right now, and we can figure the other stuff out later.” The longer he looks at me like I’m a stranger, the more eager I am to leave.

Reaching for my purse, I toss it over my shoulder and head for the door. “Look, I need to go.”

“Scottie!” he calls after me.

I turn back to face him for a moment. “Take some time, Grady. We can talk again soon.” And then I open the door and race out to my car, needing some space so I can break down in private. I tear out of his yard as the first few tears begin to fall, and my hands continue to shake as I grip the wheel.

“Why are you crying, Scottie?” I say to myself, signaling to turn onto the main road so I can get back to my son and deal with my family.

WhyamI crying?

Because telling Grady he was going to be a father and seeing his reaction was a lot harder than I thought. Not only did I turn his life upside down, but he looked at me like I was just a figment of his imagination.

What did you expect, Scottie? And besides, you don’t want anything more from him, right?

I guess I just figured the next time I had a child, things would be different. I would be in love. The child would be planned and prayed for.

I never imagined going through the same experience twice. And honestly, after Chase turned ten, I sort of assumed that I was only meant to have one kid.

I love my son and having him forced me to grow up and view life very differently. But nothing could have prepared me for this—for encountering a man from my past who awakened the old me, the girl who was good at having fun, disregarding consequences, and living in the moment.

Looks like I channeled her a little too well—because now I’m in a predicament that I’m unequipped to handle. I’m not sure what I want, and nothing prepared me for how Grady makes me feel.

All I know is that I refuse to let my heart get involved this time.

I can handle this on my own, and that’s the way it has to be—because Grady has the ability to destroy me, and I can’t crumble again. There’s no way I’d survive it twice.

Chapter seven

Grady

Laughter and screams filter out from the living room as Lilly holds up her latest present and tissue paper goes flying everywhere. Today is my niece’s birthday party and I’m here, like the supportive uncle that I am. But seeing kids running around, screaming and crying, is just another reminder of how my life is about to completely change. Dealing with this as an innocent bystander who can come and go as they please has been my favorite part of my uncle status since Bentley was born eleven years ago.

But now? I’m going to be the newest member of the parent club, and I’m still having trouble wrapping my head around it.

I close the front door behind me, taking a deep breath before moving deeper into the house. Clusters of adults fill the living room, but then I hear my sister’s voice in the kitchen, so I head in that direction.

“Penn, could you…”

“I’m on it, babe.” He kisses her on the cheek, heads to the pantry to grab a trash bag, and then moves into the living room to start picking up the mess that Lilly is making with wrapping paper and bags.

“Look at you. You speak and he moves.” Willow, Dallas’s girlfriend, says. She and Astrid are close friends now, and I’m grateful my sister has someone she clicks with. Willow fit into our little group seamlessly after she moved here.

Astrid rolls her eyes at Willow. “No, we’re a team. He helps. I help.” She sighs wistfully. “It’s amazing.”

“And how’s it been living together? You still think all his weird quirks are cute?”

Laughing, Astrid replies, “There’s been a few bumps here and there, a little tiff or two. But the makeup sex is worth it.”

Willow grins. “Can’t argue with you there. When Dallas and I fight, it actually makes me horny.”

“Uh, did I walk in on a conversation that I shouldn’t be a part of?”

Astrid whips her head in my direction. “Dear lord, did you poke your finger in a light socket?”

“What?” Bringing a hand to my head, I realize my hair is sticking up on all ends. I try to pat it down, but it’s no use. Sighing, I say, “No. It’s just been a long weekend.”

“What happened?” my sister asks, moving to serve slices of cake onto plates.