Page 16 of Stick Work

“How long is your program at Boston College, love?” Grandma asks as she reaches for her wine.

The table falls silent, all eyes suddenly on me. I set my glass down. “Two years.” Two years to figure out what the hell I’m going to do with my degree.

“Have you always wanted to be an actress?” His dad Randall chimes in, his smile effortlessly charming.

I gulp, the lie thick in my throat. I had no idea it would be so hard to pretend with these people. But I agreed to this charade, so here we go. “Oh, yes. For as long as I can remember.”

Grandma’s sharp eyes narrow, pinning me in place like she’s dissecting every syllable.

“Well, I mean…” My voice wavers, and Elias tenses beside me, his knee brushing mine in subtle reassurance. “After high school, I sort of floundered for a bit. I did a few college courses online, which, fortunately counted toward my degree. I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do. I thought about accounting—my dad’s an accountant—but just saying the word…” I shiver dramatically. “Math makes me break out in hives.”

The room bursts into laughter, the tension lifting. But when the chuckles die down, my heart squeezes tight. “After Mom… well, after we moved into my grandmother’s house, everyone was grieving. Her death hit us hard. Mental health, you know? It’s something people don’t talk about enough.”

The table grows quiet again, but this time it’s a good kind of quiet—thoughtful, engaged. I take a steadying breath, the memories flooding back. “I missed the laughter of my childhood. So, I’d dress up in Grandma’s clothes and dance around the house to make everyone laugh. It was silly, but it helped. It felt like I was giving them a little piece of happiness when we needed it most.”

Cheryl leans forward, her expression softening. “That’s very emotionally intuitive for a young girl,” she says quietly, her voice tinged with something I can’t quite place—loss, maybe? Guilt?

I glance at her, but she’s already dropped her gaze to her plate, her fork moving aimlessly. Damn.

Way to crash the dinner vibe, Taylor.

“Well, dear,” Grandma teases with a playful wink, “I could probably rustle up some clothes for an after-dinner show if you’re feeling nostalgic.”

Laughter once again ripples around the table. I grin, shaking my head. “No offense, Grandma—and I’m sure your wardrobe would look fabulous on me—but I think my dressing-up days are reserved for the stage now.”

“I think she’s been itching for a swim, actually,” Elias explains.

“Oh, I’d love a swim.” I meet his gaze with a grateful smile. I love being here with his family, but some alone time would be nice too. Or dangerous…

Around the table, the conversation shifts, the mood lightening again. But as Elias’s thigh presses just a little more firmly against mine, I suddenly can’t help but worry about the night ahead—the two of us in his bed.

Turning my attention to Randall, I ask with a curious tilt of my head, “Did you always know you wanted to go into politics?”

His face lights up, his smile as wide and confident as a campaign poster. “I did,” he says proudly. “My father was a politician, so it was natural for me to follow in his footsteps. I’m sure Elias has told you that.”

“Of course,” I reply quickly. The truth is while I know Elias, there’s a lot I don’t know about him. Maybe we should have compared notes before coming here to fool his family.

Randall leans back, his tone shifting slightly as he adds, “I always thought Elias might follow the same path.” With one arched brow he glances at his son. “He did, after all, go to Harvard and study political science.”

Wait. What? Harvard? Political science? I blink, doing my best not to gape at the man beside me. Elias’s leg stiffens, and I can feel his discomfort radiating like heat through his tailored pants.

“You must be so proud of him,” I say in an even voice, even though my mind is still racing.

Randall nods. “We are. And who knows, maybe someday he’ll put that degree to use.”

Quickly coming to Elias’s defence, I counter, “I think he’s already putting that degree to use.” I glance at Elias to find him frowning at me, no doubt wondering where I’m going with this. I’m about to show him. “He’s a strategic thinker, amazing at conflict resolution, and a fantastic communicator. All those skills are critical on the ice. And I’m guessing what he didn’t learn in the classroom, he picked up from you, Randall.”

Randall’s brow arches in mild surprise, and I press on, feeling Elias shift beside me, his tension softening just a little. “It’s easy to see he got his fighting spirit, kindness and honesty from you,” I add with a teasing smile.

Randall cocks his head thoughtfully, but before he can respond, I rest my hand lightly on Elias’s arm. He turns to look at me, his gaze softer now, curious. I meet his eyes and continue, “He’s a man of integrity, who cares a lot about others.” Not only am I in his home because he cares about his family and wants to eventually give them what they want for him—marriage, children, happiness—the man bought a new house and was worried about moving out and hurting my brother’s feelings. Who does that? I pause, swallowing the lump in my throat. What girl wouldn’t fall for a man like that?

Not that I’m falling for him or anything. Sure, he’s the kind of hot that could melt glaciers, and yes, I’d be lying if I said I didn’t want to see him naked—again. But let’s be real. This whole relationship thing? It’s a performance, a beautifully staged play with an inevitable curtain call. Nothing more. Besides, I’m not even close to settling down. There’s too much world I need to explore, too many wild adventures waiting for me. Love is for later. Much, much later. Or at least, after living with a controlling brother, that’s what I keep telling myself.

Randall lets out a hearty laugh, breaking the moment. “Are you sure you don’t want to get into politics, Taylor? I could use someone like you in my corner.”

I chuckle, shaking my head. “While I appreciate the vote of confidence, right now I’m perfectly happy in Boston, doing what I do.”

“Speaking of Boston,” Cheryl says. “We’re going to have to make a trip east to see your new place, Elias.”

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