Page 112 of Romancing the Grump
I meet Audrey’s eye over Lila’s shoulder, and she grimaces, mouthing the wordsorry,but I wave away her apology. The belief that I have a boyfriend isn’t anyone’s fault but my own.
I smile at Lila. “He’s with his family this weekend,” I say. “Up in Maine.”
“Oh, that’s too bad. Jack is a huge Appies fan. He was hoping he’d get to meet him. Next time, maybe.” Lila smiles as she fixes a plate for Jack, skipping over the mushrooms and brie and opting for the chicken tenders and several pieces of fruit.
“Do you think he’d sign my jersey?” Jack asks. He’s gotten bigger since I saw him last, his face starting to lose some of the little kid roundness it had before.
“I’m sure he would,” I say.I just have to get him here.Assuming he wants to be here in the first place—assuming he’ll let himself love me back.
Honestly, I can’t think of anything I would love more than for Nathan to meet everyone. To hear my dad fumble his way through asking questions about a sport he knows nothingabout simply because he loves me. To see him joking with Flint or playing with Audrey’s niece and nephews.
Mostly, I just want him withme.Wherever I am.
The constant questions and reminders of his absence are starting to get to me, so I look around the room, wondering how soon I can plot my escape.
I’m staying with Audrey and Flint, so it would be as easy as simply sneaking off to my room, but it’s not even eight o’clock yet. My absence would definitely be noted—at least by Lucy.
“Lucy, honey, your phone’s ringing,” Mom says from across the living room, and Lucy jumps up and hurries toward her.
“Oh, it’s probably just the hospital,” she says. She grabs the phone, glancing at me over her shoulder as she hurries down the hall, away from the commotion of the party.
Pretty sure she told me she wasnoton call tonight, so I have no idea what that was about.
A few feet away, Eric clears his throat. “Your shoes are pink.” He looks at me, his gaze focused. “Summer’s shoes are pink,” he repeats, like he’s trying to cement the fact in his memory.
“Well done, Doctor,” I say, not even trying to keep the sarcasm out of my voice.
I mean, come on. We’re identical, yes, but if he would just look at Lucy’s face for five seconds, he would notice the tiny mole she has beside her left eye, or the scar just below her hairline from when she split her head open on the diving board. Bare minimum, he would notice that she’s wearing an incredible turquoise pendant that looks great with her skin and is nothing like the silver teardrop necklace I’m wearing.
Across the room, a slight commotion breaks out when several of the Hawthorne brothers converge on the frontdoor. “Who is it?” Perry asks. “Does anyone else have the code?”
Flint’s house is remote, with a long, winding drive that’s gated at least a mile from the house. Family members have a nine-digit code—yes, nine—they can use to get through the gate, but all of Flint’s family is already here.
My pulse spikes, and I immediately think of Nathan.
Of course, it’s just wishful thinking. He hasn’t texted, and there’s no way he could find this place without my help. But my heart keeps pounding anyway, like the mere suggestion of his presence is enough to trigger a reaction.
“It’s not a car I recognize,” Brody, another brother, says. He pushes Flint away from the door, placing his body firmly between his younger brother and whatever stranger just pulled up outside.
I almost ask what kind of car it is, but then Lucy comes running into the room, phone in hand. “Don’t freak out,” she says a little breathlessly. “It’s okay. I’m the one who gave him the code. He’s here for me.” She turns and looks at me. “Or…you, really.”
My skin flushes hot as my stomach swoops down to my feet.
Nathan is here? Right outside?
A knock sounds at the door, and Lucy steps toward me, squeezing my hands. “Don’t be mad. He got my number from Gracie. He wanted to surprise you.”
Flint moves to the door, his brothers falling back but still staying close, flanking him not unlike the way Nathan’s teammates backed him up when they were scaring Jason away. It makes me love this family for my sister. These people are loyal and devoted, and it makes me happy they have welcomed her so completely.
But poor Nathan. I doubt he’s expecting four frowning Hawthornes to greet him.
“Can I help you?” Flint says in a low, menacing voice. It’s the same voice he uses in hisAgent Twelvemovies, and it immediately makes me roll my eyes.
I can’t see Nathan through the wall of men in front of me, but I do hear him clear his throat and say, “I’m looking for Summer?”
Oh my heart.I’m not sure I’ve ever heard Nathan sound intimidated.
“Flint,” Audrey says through a laugh. “Stop.”
