Page 42 of Educating Arrogant Mr. Hunter

I nodded.

“Even knowing it was the right thing, I hate that it caused you even more stress and pain with everything going on with Heather’s parents. David and I want you to know we’ll support and help in any way you need us.” Her mouth pressed into a hard line for a second before she spoke again in a harsh whisper. “And if I need to knock some sense into Marjorie and Glen, I will. We all will.”

Their family was fierce and protective of each other and I knew that included Mom, me, and Zoey.

She drew me in for a hug, and when she squeezed tight, the last bits of anger I’d held onto toward Grayson seemed to dissipate. In my rage, I struggled to see the forest through the trees. Over the last few weeks, I’d grown to understand Grayson’s decision and respected that he moved forward even without my blessing.

“I appreciate that.” I leaned out of her embrace and smiled.

The sound of tires crunching over rocks in the driveway drew my attention, and I looked over my shoulder. Mom’s familiar gray Honda CR-V parked just behind my car.

“You made it,” she cried out joyfully, telling me that even though I’d promised to be here, she had doubts. Her arm slid around my waist in a side hug when she reached me.

“I did.” I hugged her back.

Rosalyn stepped away from the door so we could enter the foyer. “I let him know he shouldn’t have stayed away so long. And that we’re here to help.”

Mom released me as we made our way into the house and handed a bowl to her friend. “I made a pasta salad.”

Rosalyn laughed and thanked her. Every week she told Mom to just bring herself, and Mom never listened. “This will go perfectly with the burgers and hot dogs.”

The two of them immediately forgot me, and with their heads close together, headed toward the kitchen. Their whispers were too low for me to hear what they said, but knowing the two of them, they were conspiring about something.

“This is the coolest,” Zoey exclaimed from the living room to my left.

I entered the room to see what had her so excited.

She pointed at the box. Her body practically vibrated with joy. “It’s the Disney castle.”

“Wow, that’s impressive. And expensive.” I’d priced that one out at four hundred dollars. I cocked an eyebrow and gave Mia a questioning stare.

She grinned and tossed back her blonde hair. “I can spoil my only niece any way I want.”

Zoey grinned. She loved having Grayson’s two sisters and three brothers as her honorary aunts and uncles. “Can we get started right now?”

Grayson sat on a nearby armchair with Ruby resting on the arm of it.

“Beckett, I’m happy you decided to finally show up,” my asshole of a best friend said with a hint of sarcasm and happiness all rolled into one.

“Jerk,” I said with a grumble, making sure to temper the word I really wanted to use with Zoey present. “Where are the rest of the siblings?”

Grayson lifted his chin in the direction of the kitchen. “They’re helping Mom set up.”

Ruby cleared her throat. Her nervous eyes darted from me to the wide doorway that led to the kitchen. “I didn’t know you would be here today. It’s, uh, good to see you, Beckett.”

Grayson narrowed his gaze on her. “You okay, kitten?”

“Yup. Never better.” She bit her lip.

“And me too!” Zoey chirped up next to Mia, taking her attention away from her precious box for all of two seconds.

“That’s a given. You know how much we love having you around.” Ruby’s warm acceptance of Zoey showed me again the kind of person she was. And even though I struggled to accept how fast the two of them fell for each other, I knew she was good for my friend.

“I should go see if your mom needs help.” Ruby was clearly trying to escape the room. I wondered if she still harbored anger toward me and my role in almost destroying her home and business. Now that Grayson and I were talking again, she and I might need to clear the air.

She slid off the armrest and walked a few feet before her eyes widened.

“Hey, everyone, dinner’s…” Wren said, screeching to a halt to stare at me. “What are you doing here?” She sent a murderous glare my way.

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