Page 5 of Exes and Oh Hell No

“Don’t be talking about me like I’m not standing right here,” Gram sasses, pointing her finger at me.

“Oh, feisty. I love it when she gets worked up.”

I groan.

“I speak the truth,” I say to her.

Then to Connor, I say, “Stop it. I’m about to lose my coffee.”

He chuckles. “I just wanted to be sure you made it safely. My sister just pulled up, so I gotta go. We’ll get together soon.”

I nod, even though he can’t see me. “We’ll make plans soon. Later.”

Hanging up, I brace myself for Gram’s tirade. She stands there, tapping her sandal on the porch. “Come inside so I can give you some cookies and tea and properly yell at you.”

I chuckle, shaking my head. “Yeah, cause the squirrels will find the way you freak out scandalous.”

She rolls her eyes, turning toward the door. I grab the screen door and pull it open for her.

“Glad to see you still have manners.” She pats my arm as she passes, entering the house.

I follow behind, the scent of home-cooked meals and Gram’s familiar perfume infiltrating my senses. Comfort immediately wraps around me like a familiar hug.

I’m home.

My apartment close to the rink in the city is a poor substitute for the peace and tranquility of Gram’s house. The place I grew up when my parents divorced. Then my mom remarried and moved out, but I stayed here with Gram.

As I walk through the family room into the kitchen, my gaze moves to the window. Freshly cut grass gently sways in the gentle breeze. The afternoon sun filters through the trees, causing shadows to dance on the lawn.

Beyond the shimmer of the lake lies the house that once felt like my second home.

Now, it’s nothing but a ghost of what I lost.

I should look away.

Shouldn’t care.

But my stomach clenches anyway because, for the first time in a decade…she’shere.

And I fuckingfeltit before I even saw the house.

Dragging my gaze away, I meet my Gram’s knowing stare.

Busted.

Dammit.

I hold up a hand. “I don’t want to hear it.”

“Too bad. Cause you’re gonna listen.”

“I’ve gotta bring my bags inside.” I spin around, heading for the porch.

Her voice follows behind me. “Keep running, Ford. But you can’t hide from me.”

Right before the door closes, I hear her say, “It’s time you dealt with the past.”

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