Page 135 of Every Chance After

Her hands go up in a wall. “Alright, beefcake. No need to get upset. I’m fully aware of the million and one ways I let Marnie down. That’s why I’m here—to make up for it. But that’s between us. We’re family.”

“My name isGrady. Stop throwing the wordfamilyaround like you know what it means.Familywould’ve been by her side the day she was hurt.Familynever would have left her in the first place.”

She winces and shuffles backward, and I immediately regret my harshness for Marina’s sake, especially when her hand goes to my arm to stifle me.

“Grady,” Marina breathes out, “please. Mom, give us a minute.”

Leonie wanders over to Tilly and sits beside her on the porch steps.

“Look, I’m sorry.” My hand rakes over my head. “I don’t mean to be a jerk, but please don’t be nice to her. She’ll move in and take over. You should say no.”

“Would you? Would you say no, Grady?”

No, of course, I wouldn’t.I don’t even say no when I should. I hang my head, bothered. “Fine. I’ll play nice.”

“Good.” I move toward the house, but Marina drops her hand onto my chest, stopping me. “Um, could you take Wren home? I’ll, um, reach out later. Catch a few fish for me, eh?”

“Wait, what? You want me to leave?”

“I should handle this alone,” she says.

“I disagree. She’ll take advantage. She already is. You aren’t responsible for her.”

“That’s a bit hypocritical. Don’t you think?”

My shoulders slump in a frustrated sigh.

“Please give me time to assess this situation. She’ll be more open without someone else around.”

“More open to manipulate you,” I counter. “Let me be your buffer.”

“I don’t need a buffer. I can handle her. Trust me, please.”

“Marina, it’s not that I don’t trust you. This is fucked up. I’m worried about you.”

“I know,” she smiles weakly. “Me, too. I’m overrun with big feelings and don’t know where to land. Should I be angry at her? Sad that I’ve missed seven years with my sister? Judgy and pissed that she keeps having kids when she couldn’t even finish her job with me? Tell me, Grady. How am I supposed to be?”

“I don’t know. Cautious, for one thing. Notnice.” My hands run up and down her arms—none of those options sound like her. “What do youwantto be, Marina? How do you want to feel?”

“Happy.” She chokes on a sigh. “I’m in love. I’m strong and free; nothing she can do will break me, even if she tries. I might have a chance at a family again.” She falls into my arms, landing exactly where she belongs. “I’m just having a moment, Grady.”

“Just? This feels like more than a moment. But take as many as you need.”

Still latched on, she peers up at me, her bright blues even brighter somehow. “I love you. But I’m asking you, politely, to back the hell off. You said I could do that, remember?”

“Marina,” I breathe, ready to argue.

But she presses her head to my chest. “I refused her once. I can’t do it again.” Her words muffle against my shirt. “She’s my mom. I have asister. Please, Grady.”

I fucking hate this. I don’t trust Leonie not to bulldoze through Marina’s life and break her heart again. I also know Marina’s too good-hearted to stop her. Her pushing me out feels even worse.

But she wants me to go, and I can’t refuse her anything.

“Fine, but here’s what’s going to happen. Come to my place for dinner tonight. All of you. I promise to behave, make it nice. It’ll help us get to know each other.”

Her soft smile makes me feel slightly better. “Okay, that’s a good idea.”

I leave after a lingering kiss that I don’t want to end.

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