Page 28 of Just Let Go

Jaden shoved his backpack on the floor. “Do you even know who he is, Aunt Quinn? Have you seen what he can do?”

Quinn unintentionally slammed her hand on the steering wheel. “Why is everyone so enamored with this guy?” She’d never beenprone to hero worship, and when it came to Grady Benson, she definitely didn’t get the appeal.

“How many people do you know who’ve been to the Olympics? It’s kind of a big deal.”

“I don’t care. I know enough to know that he’s bad news. He’s arrogant and entitled and—” she stopped before addingtoo attractive for his own good.

“And what?”

“And you should find yourself a better role model.”

Jaden stared out the window, a sudden stillness settling over him. “I think God brought him here.”

It was a good thing they were at a stoplight because Quinn couldn’t keep from eyeballing Jaden.Jaden, the kid who hated going to church, thought God was a “big bully,” and whose rebellion had his mother literally praying without ceasing every single day.

Tread lightly.

The thought surprised her. She didn’t want to dissuade Jaden in any way from thinking or talking about God, but he was terribly mistaken if he believed Grady’s stay in Harbor Pointe was divine intervention.

“I know that sounds stupid...” He must’ve sensed her hesitation.

Way to go, Quinn.

“No, it doesn’t sound stupid.”Misguided.That’s the word she’d use.

The light turned and she drove the last block toward Harbor Pointe High School.

“I asked for a sign.” Jaden still stared out the window.

“A sign?” She kept her voice light, upbeat.

“A sign. About skiing. My mom wants me to give it up. Says I need to get serious about school and quit spending time daydreaming about skiing. I had to stop taking lessons for a while.”

That sounded like Carly.

Quinn’s older sister only wanted what was best for her son, but discouraging him in the one thing he’d shown any interest in since his model train kick at the age of eight didn’t seem like the mostprudent move. Still, she understood. Carly had raised Jaden on her own—and she’d been really young when she had him. She was determined to make sure he had a good life, no matter what. To her, that meant a sensible path, which Jaden unfortunately did not want to travel.

If she knew he was out chasing down Grady Benson, her sister would flip.

“So you prayed about it?” She kept every trace of shock out of her voice, but it still spooked him.

They were sitting at the curb in front of his school, and he couldn’t have opened the door faster. “Thanks for the ride.”

Her sigh was nearly undetectable. “See you later, Jay.”

She watched Jaden walk up the sidewalk, wearing nothing warmer than a flannel shirt and a lightweight jacket. To look at him, you’d think he was a kid who’d just transferred to Harbor Pointe, not someone who’d lived here his whole life.

He walked past several groups of kids, head down, backpack over one shoulder, and made no acknowledgment of anyone. It was almost like he was invisible.

He’d grown so withdrawn, yet he loved to ski. It was the one thing that could still make him smile. Did Carly really want him to quit?

Regardless, his worship of Grady Benson was a serious problem. Grady Benson was starting to become a serious problem.

And Quinn felt helpless to do anything about it.

CHAPTER

8

---