Page 4 of Shattering

"Mom, this is Gray," Cadi introduced.

Her mother smiled. "Hello, Gray. Cadi talks about you all the time."

Gray shifted awkwardly, glancing between Cadi and her mother. Their auburn hair caught the golden light of the late afternoon, glowing like a sunset. He was mesmerized. They both had the most beautiful hair he had ever seen.

"Would you like to come over and play sometime?" Cadi's mom interrupted his thoughts. "I can speak to your mom about it."

Gray's eyes brightened slightly, and he gave a small nod. "Aye. That'd be grand."

As Cadi's mom walked away, Cadi nudged him. "See? That wasn't so bad."

Gray shrugged. "Aye. Guess not."

"I'm having a party on Saturday!" Cadi announced excitedly as they sat outside during lunch. "Mom's making cake."

Ana clapped her hands. "Ooooh, cake?"

"Loads of it," Cadi said proudly. "And games. And maybe even a treasure hunt."

Byron bounced in his seat. "Thhhhath thoundth amazin'!"

Gray, who had been half-listening, glanced up. "Can I come?"

Cadi blinked, then grinned. "Course you can."

Gray tried to play it cool, but the pleased look on his face was undeniable. "Grand," he said simply.

Byron leaned in with a mischievous smile. "Hope there'th a piñata. I wanna thmack thomethin'."

Chapter 4

"Mom said there are some rules if you want to come." Cadi stood in front of Gray, hands on her hips, eyes serious. "Alright, listen up!" she declared.

Byron snickered. "What rulth?"

Cadi took a deep breath and started listing. "No rough play indoors, no running in the house, say 'thank you' after getting cake, don't break anything, and—"

Gray groaned. "This is a lot of rules, Cadi."

"Well, Mom and Derrik are very organized," Cadi said with a shrug.

Derrik was Cadi's stepdad. He and her mom had gotten married last year, and they had moved into his house. Gray had met him a few times—he was a nice man, always smiling, always making sure Cadi had everything she needed. Not like Gray's own house, where his mam was constantly stressed.

"At least there's cake," Byron muttered. "Worth it."

Cadi folded her arms. "If you don't follow the rules, you don't get cake."

Gray and Byron exchanged a horrified glance.

"Aye, alright, we'll follow the rules," Gray mumbled.

Gray had another set of rules.

His mam had made him promise to behave before letting him leave the house.

"Be polite, say 'please' and 'thank ya,' and do not get into any fights, Gray Callahan!" she had warned, her hands wringing together even as she adjusted his jumper. "If anyone starts somethin', ya just walk away."

"Mam, it's a birthday party," he had sighed. "Not a boxing match."

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