Page 112 of Just Let Go

Carly let out a wry laugh and went back to tossing meatballs in the pan of oil. “Oh, you’ve got it all figured out, don’t you?”

Quinn only stared.

“You think you know just how everything is going to go.”

“I have plans, Carly. I’m not going to apologize for that.”

“Okay, but things don’t always work out like your favorite song, little sister.” She threw down her spatula and walked over to her. “This is real life. You can’t figure everything out before it even happens.” She sat down and covered Quinn’s hand with her own. “You’re going to miss out on... everything.”

Quinn looked up at her through clouded, tear-filled eyes. “What if I already have?” Her voice broke and a tear streamed down her cheek. “What if thatismy greatest mistake?”

The back door popped open and Jaden walked in. “You got that food, Ma?”

Quinn turned away, praying Grady wasn’t right behind him.

Carly stood. “It’s not ready quite yet.”

“Okay. I told him he could just eat with us here.”

Quinn stood. “I’m going to go.” She slung her bag over her shoulder. “Thanks, Car.”

She turned around just as Grady walked in, eyes fixed on her, still perfecting that rugged “I should be on a billboard in Times Square” look.

“Stay and eat, Quinn,” Carly said. “I know you’ve probably been too stressed to sit down for a good meal.”

“I can’t. Too much to do before tomorrow.” It was a lie. Truth was, she had no idea what she would do once she left Carly’s. She’d gotten every task on her list finished up early, thanks in part to the help of so many other people, including Grady. “Have a good dinner.”

As she drove home, her conversation with Carly replayed in her mind. Her sister was right. She’d pinned her goodness to her shirt like a ribbon she’d won at the state fair, turning herself into a judgmental person who could only see the flaws in the people around her.

How had that happened without her even realizing it? It had blinded her to her own flaws—her inability to forgive, to move beyond the past, to let it all go.

She’d been a prisoner to it her whole life.

And she had no idea how to break loose of those chains.

CHAPTER

27

LATE FRIDAY AFTERNOON,as Grady and Jaden packed the car for their trip up north, all he could think about was how good it would be to get out of town for a few days.

The grand reopening of the flower shop had been the buzz of the town for two days straight, and while he was happy for Quinn, it was hard to get her out of his mind when she was all anyone was talking about.

She’d cold-shouldered him Tuesday night at her sister’s house, but he’d gone to the shop on Wednesday regardless. He wanted to congratulate her. He wanted to be a part of her happiness.

Worse, he wanted to be the reason for it.

But she was so busy with the crowd of people who’d come out to celebrate with her that he’d left without saying a word.

Thursday, Ryan Brooks caught Grady in the gym to tell him to report to him that day—something about renovating a small cottage on the other side of the lake. Grady had been dog tired by the time he got home, but he put himself through the paces of his workout anyway and even cooked his own meal.

And the icing on the proverbial cake? He’d heard from Benji that he’d pieced together the money for that month’s PT, so he must’ve either dipped into his own savings or gotten it from their parents, which meant once again, Grady was the letdown. Benji had been coaching kids for a while, but Grady knew that job didn’t leave Benji with much extra, and the insurance was only paying about half the bills. Grady had promised he’d take care of his brother. He couldn’t break that promise.

He called Pete immediately after he hung up with Benji.

“There’s still Spectre,” Pete had told him. “They’re talking about having you design your own line of ski gear, Grady—it could end up being a pretty sweet deal.”

Reluctantly, Grady had given Pete the go-ahead to get some facts and figures. They’d talk about it Monday. And Grady would see just how bad things really were financially. Pete was trying to prove he was still on board, but Grady wasn’t convinced.

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