Page 31 of Always Been Yours

He nods, taking another bite of his food. He scarfs down as much as he can as quickly as he can, and I leave him to it. On nights like this, he only has a few minutes to get a bite in and I don’t want to distract him. Instead, I make my way to the front desk so Krissy can focus on prepping the animals while I check them in.

I’ve always known that I didn’t plan on taking over the clinic, or becoming any sort of medical care workers, but I helped out after school and during summers from the time I was old enough.

I’ve been here for about three hours by the time I finally get a moment with my dad. We’re sitting in the breakroom, talking about the fair and the first day of classes. I know from the look in his eye he wants to ask more about the meeting with Vivi, but he takes pity on me, letting me deflect from that topic as long as I want.

Impatience is a trait that Blake gets from my mom.

“Dr. Miller, sorry to interrupt but Lexi’s here with Sage.”

“Oh, crap. I lost track of time. Will you grab Sage’s vitals for me and get them settled in exam room two?”

“Absolutely.” Krissy turns her back to us and I direct my attention to my dad.

“Don’t start. Lexi’s a good girl.”Said no one ever,I think to myself. “A bit wild but aren’t all the best people?” he chuckles. “She’s a better friend than that Molly girl ever was to our Viv.”

Our Viv. My parents have claimed each of the Davies, just like Bonnie has done with me and Blake, but it was always a little different with Vivi. Not that they loved her more but maybe they had different expectations for her. For us.

“Lexi’s cool. And I never liked Molly, so I’ll take your word for it. I’m going to head out, anyway. Mom’s been with Stella and Daisy all night and I know how exhausting they can be.”

He throws his trash away and we make our way back toward the front together. “Oh, you know your mother will be more upset that you’re taking them home than she ever will be about getting to watch them for a few hours.”

I know he’s right. It’s another reason that I know moving back home was the right decision for the three of us.

“Hey, Tim. Grady.” Lexi greets us. A large white and brown pit bull is sitting off her leash next to Lexi’s feet.

“Hey, Lexi.” My dad takes a step away and pats his leg to call Sage to him. “I’ll get the exam going and see how those antibiotics are treating our friend. Meet me there whenever you’re ready.”

After the door closes and it’s just the two of us in the lobby, Lexi finally looks back towards me but doesn’t say anything.

I break the silence first. “Youwouldhave a giant pit bull.”

Her dark eyes narrow and she sharply retorts, “And youwouldget another woman pregnant, but you don’t hear me making any comments about it.”

Rolling my eyes, I slip my hands in my pockets. “We went to homecoming togetheronetime, Alexandra, and that was like ten years ago. You need to move on.”

Her hand flies out and hits my chest but even she can’t hide her chuckle. “You know that’s not who I meant, GradyIdiotMiller.”I rub my chest and shrug nonchalantly. “So, it was nice seeing you at dinner the other night. I’m sure your mother agrees.”

“Did she tell you that?” I snap. I like Lexi, I do. We’ve never had any problems with each other, and we even had a good time at homecoming—arguably the best time I had at a high school dance. But I’m tired of everyone making subtle comments about Vivi and how much time I spent away from here.

No one knows, nor cares, that I was trying to do what was best for my daughters. Only that I clearly failed somehow.

“She didn’t have to,” Lexi says in a rare compassionate voice. “I won’t sit here and pretend I know your parents better than you because of course I don’t. But it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to know that your mom has been happier the last few weeks than she’s been in years.”

I don’t really know what to say to that, so we just stare at each other in silence for a few seconds. She nods, a mix of deep-rooted exasperation and unfair disappointment crossing her features.

She stops a few steps from the door. Turning toward me with a popped-out hip, she states, “Vivi and I force her siblings to go to karaoke with us every few weeks. Hudson and Lyp don’t sing, as I’m sure you would guess, but they like to drink. Asher doesn’t drink but he has the best stage presence you’ll ever see. You should come.”

“Oh… I don’t know.” I don’t want to impose on something that’s hers.

“She won’t mind. She may act like it, but you can see past that. I know you can. Friday night, eight o’clock, Spotlight Lounge.” She turns toward the exam room before I can say anything. With her hand on the doorknob, she looks at me over her shoulder. “Don’t let us down, Grady.”

She walks into the room and closes the door behind her, leaving me stunned and gawking at the spot where she was standing, unsure of what to do with the offer.

Chapter Eleven

Grady

“Can I expect you to bring me lunch every day? Because that would be amazing,” I tell my mom as I shovel another bite of menudo into my mouth.

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